Maxwell Davis Lloyd Glenn Attributed Unreleased R&B Blues Red Lacquer Acetate

$

200

Powered by eCommercePlayer.com Powered by eCommercePlayer.com Powered by eCommercePlayer.com Up for auction is a singular piece of American music history: a 10-inch, one-off National Hollywood Recording Disc test pressing/acetate. This is not a mass-produced commercial release; it is likely the only known copy in existence. The double-sided disc features two professional instrumental tracks cut directly onto striking translucent red lacquer. PLEASE NOTE: The exact history and artist identities on this disc have NOT been officially verified by a discographer. The information provided below represents a highly compelling, evidence-based historical scenario derived from the exact audio contents, physical characteristics, and known recording timelines of the 1950s West Coast studio scene. Track Listing

• Side A: "Red Sails in the Sunset" (Instrumental Master)
• Side B: "The Finis" (Unreleased Studio Performance/Rehearsal)

• The "Red Sails" Side: This side features a completely unreleased, pure instrumental master of "Red Sails in the Sunset." Rather than a vocal backing track, this is a dedicated, jazz-inflected instrumental showcase. The lead is carried by a remarkably smooth, velvety tenor saxophone with a rich, commanding tone. Backing the sax is a world-class guitarist delivering beautiful, complex jazz chords interspaced with tasteful, single-note runs.
• The "The Finis" Side: Labeled in vintage ink script as "The Finis"—a traditional mid-century recording term for a session-ending jam or untitled conclusion track. The piano arrangements and distinctive riffs on this side strongly echo the iconic style of a blues/jazz piano legend. The single-note swing guitar phrases track identically to elite L.A. session guitarists, while the horn work perfectly mimics the tone of premier West Coast reed sidemen.
• The Production Link: The instrumental finale (the finis) of the "Red Sails" track relies on the exact same heavy rolling shuffle rhythm found on Side B, proving both sides stem from the same elite studio band.

• The Saxophone (Maxwell Davis or Marshall Royal): The lead lines favor a large, warm, and velvety tone. It completely avoids cheap honking tricks, utilizing gorgeous, jazz-inflected phrasing. This is highly indicative of Maxwell Davis (the "Father of West Coast R&B") or Marshall Royal (celebrated for his ultra-smooth, lyrical tone).
• The Guitar (Tiny Webb or Gene Phillips): The guitar performance mirrors the Holy Grail of West Coast session players. It features the stunning, rich jazz chord voicings and ultra-clean, elegant single-note fills of Tiny Webb, or the sophisticated, swinging style of Gene Phillips.
• The Piano & Arrangement (Lloyd Glenn): The driving, sophisticated blues-and-jazz piano foundations point directly to the legendary Lloyd Glenn, who routinely cut standards alongside his blues instrumentals during this exact window.

• Who Was National Hollywood? National Hollywood was a premium manufacturer of professional, un-cut instantaneous recording blanks active from the 1940s into the early 1960s. Rather than a mass-production record label, they supplied top-tier recording studios, radio stations, and Hollywood sound stages with high-grade blank discs to cut live music directly into the grooves on the spot. This specific disc features the classic secondary "drive pin hole" next to the spindle, which locked the blank flat onto a professional studio recording lathe.
• Why Is It Red? The deep, translucent red material serves a vital historical and technical purpose. During this era, standard commercial 78s were made of brittle shellac mixed with abrasive fillers. Studios used premium colored nitrocellulose lacquer formulas on their blank discs because the distinct red color acted as a visual warning system for the engineer, making it easier to monitor thread accumulation and groove depth during a live cut.

• Visual Grade: Very Good Plus (VG+). The translucent red lacquer surface retains its deep, high-gloss luster.  Minimal light paper scuffs and surface handling marks typical of an archival studio reference disc. There is a tiny edge flake on the outer rim of the record that does not affect play. (Please see the photos.)
• Audio Grade: Very Good Plus (VG+). Plays beautifully with a strong, dynamic signal. True to the nature of 1950s nitrocellulose acetates, expect minor, ambient surface crackle/hiss that does not overpower the elite musicianship. The audio remains clean, warm, and highly enjoyable. Please listen to the full sound files by using the ecommerce auction player. 
• Labels: The center labels are physically intact. Side B retains its clear, original vintage ink script reading "The Finis".

• Reserve Pricing: Due to the historical importance and absolute scarcity of this one-off artifact, a protective reserve has been placed on this auction.
• Serious Bidders Only: Bidders with low feedback profiles must contact the seller before placing a bid, or the bid may be canceled.

1. Sandwiched between multiple oversized, heavy-duty corrugated cardboard pads.
2. Suspended within a double-walled, oversized box filled with premium shock-absorbing material.
3. Shipped via Tracked & Insured Courier requiring a signature upon delivery. Worldwide shipping is available with full customs documentation.

Shipping to EUROPE, ASIA, AND AUSTRALIA via FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL AIR MAIL is $35 (Sorry that the USPS increased their rates this year!) Delivery time is usually one to two weeks, depending on foreign customs, and each destination. Registered mail is required for any interantional shipments with a value over $100 for buyer and seller protection on Ebay and Paypal. Registered mail costs an additional $12.00 above normal shipping costs.  Packages with four or more records sent to international destinations require Priority Mail due to the weight of the package. USPS charges by weight. Any package over two pounds goes to $34.50, over three pounds to $49.50, and over four pounds to higher rates.First class international mail service can not track the item after it leaves the United States

International customers who want insurance and/or tracking must use either registered or global express mail service. (These services are not available with first class postal international mail service.) Registered mail takes a week longer, due to security handling. International registered mail services for one record costs $19.00. Global Express Mail costs approximately $40.00. If the amount is less, I will refund you the difference. After winning a record, please notify me, if you desire these services. I can send you an amended Ebay invoice, with the desired shipping services.

Please submit payment within 7 days of auction ending, or a non-paying bidder alert will be issued and/or relisting of the item may result. Please communicate with me, if there is a delay in payment.

I usually ship within 24 hours of receipt of payment, except for weekends or postal holidays.

INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS PLEASE READ! Once a package leaves the US, only the postal service has control over handling or delivery time. Most international shipments are arriving in a week/ 

So far, all my shipments have arrived safely. The customer has the option to select insurance for absolute security.

There is a complete audio stream of at least one side of each record on the listing page. Occasionally the audio stream "times out" overseas, limiting the sound, to a brief "clip". If this happens, please email or message me, and I will try to make a correction. Here is my grading system:

NM- = record appears mostly new and uplayed

EX or VG++ = record looks great, may be a few light paper scuffs, plays like new.

VG+ = fairly nice copy, may be a few light marks, occasional tick or pop, but mostly clean sound.

VG = wear, scuffing, light scratches, ticks and pops, but a very playable copy.

VG- many scuffs or groove wear, plays with some noise, but still listenable.

G+ = a playable copy but very very worn, plays with lots of noise

G through G- = wall hanger