Pages Heartaches & Pain b/w Mack RARE Sunstruck 45 Blistering Funk B-Side EX-

	£		225
	$		298

RARE U.S.A. 1979(?) Sunstruck 45 pressing of Pages ‘Heartaches & Pain’ backed with ‘Mack’ (Catalogue Reference: Sunstruck TBS 1001).  This item illicits a lot of discussion in Soul forums however, I’m unconvinced (see: https://www.soul-source.co.uk/soulforum/topic/251266-rs-pages-heartaches-and-pain-sunstruck/).  Outwardly, these arguments sound definitive however, they still amount to one individual vs. another.  I would rather see a band member confirming what are/aren’t legit pressings.  Another reason why I’m unconvinced about these arguments is that this came from a collection of Northern Soul 45s which was clearly assembled in the mid-to-late 70s through to the early 80s meaning that this must have been bootlegged pretty damn quickly (which I find a bit dubious).  What was the 1st pressing?  Was there a 2nd pressing or was it bootlegged?  Whatever the case it seems to be rare in any shape or form.  The labels are clearly visible in the attached images.  The track information is clearly visible and hasn’t been obscured by the spindle hole.  The matrixes read ‘TBS 1001 A -196 SUPERDISC’ (Side One) and ‘TBS 1001 B 95 Superdisc’ (Side Two).  The ‘u’ on Superdisc on the A-Side matrix does look more like a ‘o’ and the ‘i’ does look more like a ‘j’ (possibly with a dot).  There is a slight textured feel to sections of the labels and smudging of the red print is visible in places on the labels.  This will be supplied in a new, plain white sleeve (having been found in a cardboard sleeve).  This is a fine copy which has only seen limited play.  The surfaces still retain a real great sheen.  The A-Side is a great uptempo dancer but for my money the funk B-Side is blistering and arguably, the superior side.

CONDITION: EX- (VINYL): This copy has obviously not seen heavy play and any damage the surfaces display is largely a by-product of this having been stored in a card sleeve.  Some grit clearly got between the vinyl and the card sleeve and this has caused a couple of hairline marks & spots near the edge of the playing surface on a section of the A-Side which clearly have depth to them (the B-Side doesn’t appear to be affected).  I’ve played through both sides a couple of times and occasional background noise can be heard as a result of these marks but they never overpower the music which is loud and clear throughout.  This item like all my items has been graded under an intense light and other than the aforementioned marks there are a couple of shadow-like surface scuffs visible across both sides which were clearly there from the time this was manufactured.  Limited fine hairline marks (without depth) are also visible and are again typical for a 45 which has been stored directly in a card sleeve.  The surfaces have the kind of sheen which they wouldn’t have retained if this had seen heavy play.  I still believe this is far too good for a VG or VG+ grading which is why I’ve gone with EX-.  Again, both sides play loud and clear.  Lastly, it should be noted that this has a very thin run-in groove on both sides so you have to be quite careful with the placement of the needle.  A fine example of this rare 45!

GRADINGS – How I Grade

My items are visually graded under an intense light using my nearly 20 years of experience buying and playing records.  I am a record collector first and foremost.  I would say my grading is on the conservative side however, it is also realistic.  Realistic in the sense that sometimes even brand new records are not immaculate.  Some items are play-graded and where this is the case it will be noted in the Item Description.  Please note that it is my assertion that 99.9% of issues which might be experienced upon playback of a record can be identified through visual grading.  I’m a longstanding Ebayer so please feel free to check my feedback if you have any concerns about the quality of the items I list.  As always please review my images if you have any concern about the condition of a sleeve!  A picture speaks a thousand words!  

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intenselight there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.

VERY GOOD+ - I will rarely list vinyl for sale described as VG+.  Any vinyl listed as VG+ will have a detailed condition description included in the listing.  The description VG+ is more often used to describe sleeves.  Often VG+ describes the condition of a sleeve which was of very cheap manufacture (think 1970s EMI sleeves or Polydor late 60s/early 70s) and therefore more prone to display the vagaries of time.  A sleeve described as VG+ will not be a basket case.  It will likely display a reasonable volume of creasing, a reasonable amount of rubbing/stubbing and possible the odd substantial flaw.

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