PACIFIC DRIFT - FEELIN' FREE rare 1970 UK prog rock 1st press, DERAM, SDN 13 EX

	£		80
	$		106

PACIFIC DRIFT - FEELIN' FREE

Lovely copy of this original 1970 UK prog rock "under the radar" first pressing, on the DERAM Nova series record label, SDN 13

Pacifc Drift was a short-lived rock band emanating from the north west of England and "Feelin Free" was the band's only album release, which was not critically acclaimed until relatively recently...in other words it sold in very small quantities upon it's 1970 release and more recent praise for this album means that 1st pressings are now becoming highly sought after. The same story applies to many 60's and 70's bands - just think what they had to compete against : everything from the Beatles and Stones to the Floyd, Who, Kinks, Sabbath...and of course a host of American bands - we were spoilt for choice!

 Matrix Numbers :

  Side 1 ZAL - 9405.P-1W with stampers "1" and "U at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock respectively   Side 2   ZAL - 9406.P-2W with stampers "1" and "U at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock respectively

The condition of the vinyl is a strong excellent. Each side of the vinyl has retained most of it's original lacquer and sheen - a real gleamer! Under a bright light I could just make out a few wispy hairlines and mostly paper scuffs which are virtually insignificant and do not adversely affect playback. Great appearance.

Each label is excellent. All writing remains perfectly defined with no nicks or markings. Held under a bright light I could make out a few faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole on each label and looking hard I could see that a couple of these faint trails have strayed across the entire label - nothing here to detract from the overall excellent condition, and if it wasn't for these spindle traces the labels would be mint.

The Upton Printing Group front-side laminated outer sleeve is excellent. The top and bottom edges remain well defined with no rubbing at all. Similarly, the spine remains rigid, with all writing perfectly legible and just a single crease in the middle of the spine. The only blemish on the front side is some light laminate creasing adjacent to the opening edge located on the bottom half of that edge. The front-side vibrancy of the photograph colours has been beautifully reserved. The nipped back spine has retained the "nips" at both ends. The corners remain well defined with minimal scuffing. Similarly the reverse side is in excellent condition with just a little surface creasing towards the bottom edge and a very light surface diagonal surface crease towards the bottom left hand corner. There is no unwanted writing at all and I have deliberately left the penciled "28/6" price for nostalgia purposes...this is less than "1.50 in today's currency!

Finally, the quality of the audio is an overall excellent. Great tone and clarity with no distortion either at higher volume or on the higher frequencies. Barely any background interference except for the merest hint of some very light background crackle at the beginning of each side and occasionally during the interludes...negligible.

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. Plaster Cascer's U.S.A.

2. Tomorrow Morning Brings

3. Feelin' Free

4. Just Another Girl

5. Garden of Love

6. Norman

Side 2 :

1. Grain of Sand

2. Greta the Legend

3. Going Slow

4. God Has Given Me

5. Happy Days

Comes in the original blue and white poly-lined Decca inner sleeve with no tears or splits or age discolouration and barely any creasing either. Excellent!

In summary, a great first pressing copy of this underrated and almost forgotten 1970 UK prog/rock gem.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other listings for more 50's, 60's and 70's classic vinyl.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but over the years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boots, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I never intended selling any of my records but now I am retired and a combination of space requirements (caused partly by duplication) and a need to help fund my retirement has prompted me to "rationalise" my record collection and sell many of my much loved gems. 

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in removing the record from the outer sleeve in order to prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be Royal Mail 1st class signed for  : UK £6.00, continental Europe £9, and Rest of the World £13. 

 I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

Descriptions of any records I sell comply with the Rare Record Price Guide grading guidelines :

Mint

Description: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

Description: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packag­ing might have slight wear and/or creasing.

Very Good

Description: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable sur­face marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

Description: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc.

Fair 

Description: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for prop­erly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.

Poor

Description: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

Description: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.