Pharaohs, Awakening, orig. lp on Scarab. Funk
$
159
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Description
Pharaohs – Awakening
Year: 1972
Label: Scarab 001
Fidelity: Stereo
Condition (vinyl/cover, see below): NM/EX.
An amazing copy of this rare funk classic. At the risk of hyperbole, finding a nicer copy of this requires a time machine.
From the AllMusic Guide: Absolutely one of the finest funk albums of the early '70s, and one of the most unfairly neglected, 1971's Awakening is as important and exciting as any of Funkadelic's early albums from the same period. It doesn't have the mordant humor of George Clinton's best work, but these seven lengthy tracks are as powerful as early funk gets. A Chicago-based 11-piece ensemble (many members of which would go on to found Earth, Wind & Fire with Maurice White), the Pharaohs were led by their five-man-strong drum section, which included future world jazz pioneer Derf Reklaw and two percussionists specializing in African drumming. This polyrhythmic powerhouse takes center stage on all of the tracks, even the jazzy, ballad-tempo version of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "Tracks of My Tears." Every track is a winner, from the purely Afro-centric "Ibo" to the soulful groove of "Freedom Road," but the winner is the 13-and-a-half-minute closer, "Great House," on which the drums and horn section hurry each other along an expansive, loose-limbed groove while guitarist Yehudah Ben Israel unleashes some acid-style guitar solos similar to what Eddie Hazel was doing on tracks like Funkadelic's "Wars of Armageddon." This is as good as Afro-funk gets.
General information, shipping, and payment:
Unless stated otherwise, all records are original pressings; no reissues, no bootlegs. Records are graded according to the guide below. Any noticeable flaws or imperfections will be noted above. As nothing is more irritating as receiving a VG record when NM is expected, I try my best to grade conservatively. If you like what you see here, please take a look at my other listings on eBay this week for similar records.
Prior to shipping, records will be cleaned on my Nitty Gritty record cleaner, placed in a plastic sleeve with the record outside of the its cover, and secured in a new record mailer.
Within the US the records can be sent by either USPS first class ($4 for the first lp, $1 for each additional) or priority mail ($6 for the first lp, $1 for each additional. Acceptable forms of payment for US buyers are: PayPal or personal check. If, once received, the record is not as described, I will refund the bid price as soon as the record is returned.
International shipping via airmail will be quoted at cost (average is $13 to $15 for one lp to most European locations). International winners must use PayPal and all sales are considered final.
Condition and grading:
Near Mint (NM): A nearly perfect record: Any visible defects are the type that "disappear" when the record is tilted under a strong light and should not affect play. Sleeves in near mint condition will have no
obvious signs of wear. Practically imperceptible ring wear may be allowed but no creases, seam splits, or other easily detected flaws will be present
Excellent (EX): A very clean record. In other words, near mint with the exception of slight, superficial signs of wear. Sleeves in this condition may have marginal defects, but will not have significant creases or splits. Otherwise, a NM cover with a cut-out hole or similar remainder mark.
Very Good Plus (VG+): A generally well-cared-for record that is noticeably less than perfect, but defects are not visually or audibly distracting. Record surfaces may have slight scuffs or light scratches, but are still primarily clean. Sleeves may have some creases or ring wear, but should not have noticeably split seams. Otherwise, an EX cover with a cut-out hole or similar remainder mark.
Very Good (VG): A used, reasonable copy to play. Many of the defects found in a VG+ copy will be more pronounced in VG condition. Surface noise may be evident and sleeves may look worn, but, still a reasonable copy that should play through with only minimal distractions.
