KING CRIMSON LARKS' TONGUES IN ASPIC 1st UK PRESS ISLAND ArChIvE PROG JAZZ ROCK

	£		140
	$		186

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King Crimson 'Larks' Tongues In Aspic'

1st UK Pressing Cat No. ILPS-9230 Pink Rim Island Labels (Mega Rare Early Pressing)

Earliest -2U -2U Matrix Endings! Earliest "1" to "1" Mother Stampers! "SARK" (Hand Etched on side A Master Pressers Signature)

No visual Needle scratches on the vinyl Minimal Play only! Superb 1st Issue Cover! 1st issue Island Record Sleeve!

Clear TOP Main Audio Quality (Isolated light Static ticks/crackle interference in quiet places) Stunning Bass Feel Stunning Separation!

Progressive Rock Psychedelic Jazz album!

Another from my personal collection from over 50,000 albums that I have acquired over a period of more than 45 years! An original early 1st UK pressing on the Island pink rim labels complete with the original 1st issue un laminated cover and original 1st issue blue island record sleeve. The audio is very clear and vibrant through out. (Light isolated static/ticks crackle heard in quiet places) Please note it is common that these early original Island pressings are notorious for having slight imperfections in the vinyl that cause static crackle/ticks or the odd pop. So please allow for this. I can not see any needle scratches or scuffs on the playing surface at all, the fact that there are extremely quiet places during the play of this album please allow for some static type ticks, crackle heard in quiet places during the play. The 1st issue Island cover and record sleeve  is also clean and straight without splits or tears both graded better than excellent in my opinion.  Audio Graded at least excellent to excellent plus in my opinion!

Hear The Complete album in the player below (Actual Recording from the vinyl)

Larks' Tongues in Aspic is a 1973 album by the British progressive rock group King Crimson. This album is the debut of King Crimson's third incarnation, and features original member and guitarist Robert Fripp and new members John Wetton (vocals, bass), David Cross (violin, mellotron), Jamie Muir (percussion), and Bill Bruford (drums), as well as lyricist RicharD Palmer-James.

The album sees the band incorporate into its sound violin and also various exotic percussion instruments, including sheet metal and mbiras. The title was invented by percussionist Jamie Muir and is meant to signify what he heard in this album's music: something fragile and delicate (larks' tongues) encased in something corrosive and acidic (aspic)!

The album opens with a long experimental instrumental piece titled "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part One." After that there are three vocal pieces, "Book of Saturday", "Exiles" and "Easy Money." These are followed by two more instrumentals, "The Talking Drum" and "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two." The instrumental pieces on this album have strong jazz fusion influences, and portions have an almost heavy metal feel.

The angry, angular mood of this album is largely credited to the influence of Béla Bartók!

Side one

1. "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part One" (D. Cross/R. Fripp/J. Wetton/B. Bruford/J. Muir) – 13:36
2. "Book of Saturday" (R. Fripp/J. Wetton/R. Palmer-James) – 2:49
3. "Exiles" (D. Cross/R. Fripp/R. Palmer-James) – 7:40

Side two

1. "Easy Money" (R. Fripp/J. Wetton/R. Palmer-James) – 7:54
2. "The Talking Drum" (D. Cross/R. Fripp/J. Wetton/B. Bruford/J. Muir) – 7:26
3. "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two" (R. Fripp) – 7:12

King Crimson

are a musical group founded by guitarist Robert Fripp and drummer Michael Giles in 1969. King Crimson's style has typically been categorised as progressive rock, although it incorporates diverse influences ranging from jazz, classical and experimental music to psychedelic, New Wave, heavy metal, gamelan and folk music. King Crimson has garnered little radio or music video airplay, but there is a cult following.This debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King, is widely regarded as a landmark in progressive rock. Their later excursions into even more unconventional territory have been influential on many contemporary musical artists!

In the late-1960s, the band was influential in popularising a previously unexplored mellotron rock style. Throughout the early-1970s, King Crimson's membership fluctuated as the band explored elements of jazz and funk. The band developed an improvisational sound influenced by heavy metal and became a more stable unit in the mid-1970s, before their breakup in 1974. The band re-formed in 1981 for three years, influenced by new wave and gamelan music, before breaking up again for around a decade. Following their 1994 reunion, King Crimson blended aspects of their 1980s and 1970s sound, which has continued into the 21st century!

King Crimson's membership has fluctuated considerably throughout its existence, with 17 musicians passing through its ranks as full band members. Fripp, the only constant member of King Crimson, has arranged several disparate line-ups of the band, and he has stated that he does not necessarily consider himself the band's leader. Fripp describes King Crimson as "a way of doing things", and notes that he never originally intended to be seen as the head of the group!

This original and earliest 1st pressing is one of the hardest to find and most sought after and if ever seen are normally played to death or are in vg condition!

The Matrix

side 1. ''ILPS-9230 A-2U'' (''SARK'' (hand etched) only 1st press)       

side2. ''ILPS-9230 B-2U'' ()

The Mother Stampers

side 1. ''1'' ''OH'' ( Look Earliest '1' '1' Mother Stampers)

side 2. ''1'' ''PO'' ( Look Earliest '1' '1' Mother Stampers)

Please note! So rare to find these early pressings!  1st pressings produce the best audio quality on vinyl!

The Vinyl

To start with on initial inspection look superbe and lays perfectly flat on the turntable I can not see any needle scratches on the playing surface! This still retains its original sheen from new! Any marks that could possibly be seen would be light whispy sleeve removal marks only. Please note on very close scrutiny I notice very tiny, fine imperfections in the playing surface (common on these Island pressings these cause some isolated light static ticks/crackle)

The Audio Quality

  I have played this at loud volume on a top system! The audio is truly cristal clear and vibrant all the way through with no signs of distortion or that this has been over played what so ever!  Please allow for some light isolated  static crackle\ticks only during quiet places on this vinyl! I must emphisise there was (no) distortion (no) loud constant clicks or pops and certainly (no) jumps or skips! I would class myself as highly critical, Please look at my completed listings of records that i have sold of this caliber and you will see that i normally get it right! Hear the complete album for yourself in the player provided above!

Please note! This has been stored in a case laying dormant for at least 40 years or more! A build up of dirt and dust over the years in the grooves causes static crackle\ticks! A constant clean before each play is recommended!,,, This will reduce any static and enhance the audio quality! Static crackle or ticks are common on these 70s Island pressings and are often seen with pressing imperfections that cause this. Due to the fact that there are very quiet places and is recorded on a digital system during the play of this vinyl this interference seems enhanced.

The labels

These are the original Island 'Pink rimed labels' Minimal spidering can be seen angled to the light! Little if (no) spindle ware the hole is perfectly round! (this vinyl has not been over played in my opinion!

The record sleeve

This is the original Island blue poly lined sleeve with made in England, patented no splits or tares light creasing/fading/staining with age only! The original.

The Cover

This is the early original  1st press un laminated cover. These original covers are so hard to find and to keep in good condition! (NO) SPLITS OR TARES! very light storageware or any\rubbing to the edges and corners! very small/light pit marks on the front top, not noticed unless looked for in my opinion. All writing at the spine and cover is fully legible! no real creases to talk of! Try to find better after 42 years! A great example strong and straight! Cover Graded better than Excellent in my opinion.

HOW I SEND MY RECORDS!

THIS ALBUM WILL BE SENT IN A LARGE BOX WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS THE ALBUM IS ALWAYS PUT IS A POLY SLEEVE AND ENCASED IN THE BOX WITH PLENTY OF BUBBLEWRAP FOR ADDED PROTECTION (SEE PHOTOS)

As always I have tried to give my honest personal opinion when describing items listed! Although it is my honest opinion! I always urge others to do their own personal research on any items that they are interested in purchasing, before, they commit to bidding!) I have Highlighted all aspects as clearly as possible!! I have taken time to play this vinyl track for track to give a clear and accurate description of the audio quality as i hear it. (please look at my completed listings of albums that I have sold of this calaber (more than 1000 items) and you will see that I normally get it right) I have also provided as many photos as I can and supersized so that all aspects can be seen clearly in strong light!!!!!Please note! These photos are the actual item for sale and not copies of other items!!!!!!!

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding this item or any other items that I have listed!

I HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK SO PLEASE BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDANCE!

SHIPPING TO THE USA, CANADA & JAPAN IS 18.76 GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

SHIPPING TO EUROPE IS 15.76 GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

POSTAGE WITHIN ENGLAND IS FREE SENT BY RECORDED DELIVERY

Please note! All items are now despatched by Royal Mail signed for 1st class delivery!!!! I normally despatch weekdays within the next working day on receipt of cleared funds!!!I POST ON WEEKDAYS ONLY (NOT OVER THE WEEKEND)!! Tracking details are always emailed to the winning bidder after despatch.

All items are despatched securely with ample reinforcement (It is my prime interest to make sure that the items arrive in the same condition that they left me!!!!

I offer a postage discount for multiple purchases!!!,, but i do insist that the buyer pay for the items as they are won! I can not any longer allow winning bidders to run up a large bill and then not pay! I do not have a problem with holding the goods to be despatched untill they are ready (at the buyers request), for multiple items purchased!

PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW!!!! (click the link bellow)

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