Rare Original Alexis Korner “Blues Incorporated” LP

	£		25
	$		33

This is a fantastic example of quality music in Very Good condition – which is very difficult to find.

It’s the original 1965 UK first pressing and is one of the rarest LPs on Decca’s Ace of Clubs label – you’ll hardly ever see one so this is a fantastic opportunity for even the most serious record collector!

This has an incredible line-up of musicians, many of whom went on to greater things. Alexis Korner is a legend in his own right, Dick Heckstall-Smith went on to Graham Bond and later Colosseum, and Phil Seamen on drums – who was a major influence on Ginger Baker. Completing the lineup was Art Themen, Mike Scott, and Johnny Parker – so if you’re a blues fan, this is a must have item.

We love a bit of history, so here’s what Wikipedia says about this album:

“Korner (1928–1984) was a member of Chris Barber's Jazz Band in the 1950s, and met up with Cyril Davies (1932–1964) who shared his passion for American blues. In 1954 they teamed up as a duo, began playing blues in London jazz clubs, and opened their own club, the London Blues and Barrelhouse Club, where they featured visiting bluesmen from America. The club embraced aspiring young musicians, including in its early days Charlie Watts, Long John Baldry, and Jack Bruce.

In 1961 Korner and Davies formed Blues Incorporated, the first amplified R&B band in Britain, and brought in singer Baldry (sometimes replaced by Art Wood), drummer Watts, bassist Bruce, and saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith. It was an informal band: its membership was intended to be fluid. They secured a residency at the Marquee Club, which brought them to the attention of record producer and promoter Jack Good who arranged a recording contract with Decca Records resulting in the LP R&B from the Marquee, released in late 1962. The album was actually recorded in the Decca studio and featured Baldry as lead singer with songs by Muddy Waters, Jimmy Witherspoon and Leroy Carr.

That year Korner and Davies established a regular "Rhythm and Blues Night" at the Ealing Jazz Club. This brought together many more fans of blues and R&B music including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Rod Stewart, Paul Jones, John Mayall, Zoot Money and Jimmy Page, some of whom would occasionally sit in on Blues Incorporated performances. Watts left the group around this time and suggested Ginger Baker as his replacement.

Early in 1963 Davies disagreed with Korner's intention to add a brass section to the band and turn more towards jazz than blues. Joined by Baldry he left to form his own group, the Cyril Davies All-Stars, and was replaced by Graham Bond. Blues Incorporated found a new residency at the Flamingo club, but shortly afterwards Bond, Bruce and Baker left to form the Graham Bond Organisation.

Blues Incorporated concentrated on live work rather than recording.: the group only released two singles on Parlophone, "I Need Your Loving / Please Please Please" Money, Honey (1963) and "Little Baby" / "Roberta" (1964), followed by one on Fontana, "River's Invitation" / "Every Day I Have The Blues". In 1964 they released the LPs At The Cavern and Red Hot From Alex, with American Herbie Goins as lead singer and Danny Thompson, later of Pentangle, on bass. By the time of the group's last album Sky High (credited to Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated) in 1965, the group included Duffy Power on vocals. Korner dissolved the group in 1966.”

Aside from the fantastic story behind this album this LP is in Very Good condition, having been well looked after since I acquired it – making it a GREAT collector’s item. Don’t believe me? Have a look at the pictures, and if you’ve got any questions please do let me know – I’ll be happy to answer them so you don’t miss out on this absolute record buyer’s treat!

I always use the Record Collector grading system in all of my sales, and have over 30 years experience in trading LPs – a real collector, so I know what I’m doing! The sleeve has some minor scuffs, and no writing – it’s perfectly clear that this record has been very much loved and is in close to Excellent condition, which is why I’ve labelled it VG+!

As for the LP itself, it has only very light surface marks and very minor hairlines – which is great for a record of this type! And when you listen to it, it plays very well with only extremely minor distractions (except for that gorgeous vinyl warmth – who doesn’t love that?)

This is a rare item that you’ll be hard pressed to come across again, so don’t miss out (and make sure you have a look at the pictures – I always make sure they perfectly reflect the item as it is, with no retouching, no extras, no rubbish – just the item as you’re buying it!) This is a fantastic opportunity for the serious buyer!!!

DON’T FORGET: I am a real lover of records and I take the utmost care to preserve all of my records when I get them. If a record I’ve purchased can be improved in its condition, I use the Record Collector approved system of washing it in tepid water with soft soap, a specialist cleaning sponge especially designed for vinyl. Each side is carefully cleaned around the grooves, avoiding wetting the label. It’s then rinsed and drained, and dried off with a lint-free cloth. Once it’s thoroughly dry, I then clean it with record cleaning solution and applicator, and then dry it with super-soft paper towel.

Some of my records were cleaned years ago using this method, sometimes with remarkable improvements in aesthetic and sonic quality and no side effects, so I know that this is a tried and tested, optimum method of cleaning! Also, the covers are carefully cleaned with polish and duster, and again – no side effects even decades later, other than a massive improvement in how they look. I take all these steps to bring the records back to the very best possible condition.

All my records are stored in a carefully, temperature controlled environment, upright in plastic outers. Any record of a poorer condition is not as a result of my playing – it’s the condition that I bought it in, but I will list any shortcomings on the vinyl or the sleeve in my ads.

As an audiophile, even in my early years I used to commit any vinyl I had to tape to reduce wear and tear in the records, and in latter days, I put my vinyl on a hard disk – a Yamaha Natural Sound Recorder CDR-HD-1500. I would recommend this machine to ANYBODY as it’s fantastic for playing even your rare vinyl as a jukebox! This also means I am listening to the vinyl in its true condition, so I can accurately assess its audio quality without putting it at risk before I sell it to a lucky buyer!

I do all of this because I love the sound of vinyl – but I HATE wearing my vinyl out!

PAYMENT & POSTAGE: I am 100% competitive with the very best sellers in the market on postage and if anything, I undercharge. Where possible I will provide a brand new mailer and take every care to dispatch your item with the utmost care. Standard delivery is First Class, but do ask me if you’d like a different postage (Recorded, Special, etc) and I’ll be more than happy to accommodate this.

All items are dispatched within 5 days, after payment has cleared – obviously if you’ve got private feedback, or if yours is more negative than positive, I ask that you accept the cost of recorded delivery in order to avoid issues on receipt.

If you are not happy with your item, I ask that you contact me rather than leaving negative feedback straight away – it’s almost always the case that it can be resolved between us. I’m a nice guy I promise and as you can see I’ve had excellent feedback as both a buyer and a seller!