SONNY ROLLINS Perspectives Esquire 32-035 UK 1st press RVG PRLP 7029 super audio

	£		90
	$		119

SONNY ROLLINS - PERSPECTIVES

A truly rare and highly sought after copy of this 1950's UK 1st pressing jazz classic on the coveted ESQUIRE record label, MICROGROOVE 32-035 (PRLP 7029), the very first UK pressing of the US Prestige LP 7029

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  PRLP - 7029 - A with stampers "AB" and "RVG" each inverted at 6 o'clock and 2 o'clock respectively

Side 2  PRLP - 7029 - B with stampers "AB" and "RVG" at 11.30 o'clock and 8 o'clock respectively

Note the "RVG" hand etches on each dead wax area - unique to 1st pressings and referring to Rudy Van Gelder, the legendary recording engineer who helped to define the sound of jazz in this era - later pressings did not have these etchings.

The appearance of the vinyl is excellent. This is heavy duty, completely flat vinyl and still retaining it's original glossy and jet black lacquered sheen. In normal daylight the appearance of the vinyl comes across as near perfect and it is only under a bright light that a few very fine, small wispy hairlines and a few paper scuffs come into view. along with a single 4mm wide "shadow" line on side 2 which traverses the dead wax area and five tracks perpendicular to the centre hole - trivial. All of these minor blemishes appear to be superficial and surface only with nothing at all "feelable", and do little to detract from the impressive appearance and equally impressive audio quality. This is most certainly a record that has had fewer than it's expected number of plays and remains in overall excellent condition - remarkable considering it's 60 year old antiquity!

The labels are excellent. All of the black and maroon text, and the beige matt background, remain beautifully intact, with just a few very faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole on each label and some very minor handling marks - all very minor. 

The front and back laminated, top and bottom flipback West Brothers outer sleeve is VG+. There is some very mild age discolouration towards the edges on both the front and reverse side but this is very minor. The edges, including the spine, remain firm with very little scuffing - just a couple of small "nicks" on the spine and a further nick on the top edge and there is barely any creasing at all. There is some mild rubbing/scuffing on each corner, however, and the most notable blemish is some light fraying on the front opening edge along with a 1cm tear at the centre of the front edge and some laminate lifting adjacent to the same edge. The reverse side is impressive with all writing perfectly legible. There is a little light surface creasing at the bottom right corner and a 2-4mm strip of laminate lifting adjacent to the spine edge. Finally, in blue felt tip pen the original price of "15/-" has been written (that's 75 pence in current decimal currency!!) which can easily be erased by a damp rag, but I have deliberately left it because I feel that it adds charm - what a daft sentimental old bugger I am!!

Finally, the quality of the audio is excellent. There is wonderful tone and clarity throughout and with no distortion, even on the higher frequencies and at higher volume. No skips or clicks and just the hint of some occasional, very light background crackle - very, very minimal though it is more noticeable at the very beginning of each side. Each track makes for a great listen - this is a very young Sonny Rollins just starting out on his career with these recordings taken from 1951 and 1953 - other wonderful jazz musicians on this brilliant album include a young Miles Davis on piano and the irrepressible Art Blakey on drums. Jaw dropping.

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. THE STOPPER

2. ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE

3. NO MOE

4. IN A SENTIMENTAL MOOD

5. SCOOPS

6. WITH A SONG IN MY HEART

Side 2 :

1. NEWK'S FADEAWAY

2. TIME ON MY HANDS

3. THIS LOVE OF MINE

4. SHADRACK

5. ON A SLOW BOAT TO CHINA

6. MAMBO BOUNCE

7. I KNOW

Comes with original poly lined MADE IN ENGLAND" and "BRITISH AND FOREIGN PATENTS PENDING" inner sleeve with no splits, tears, or fraying, just some mild creasing at the top right corner, and still 100% fully functional. Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary a lovely copy of this rare and sought after 1950's UK 1st pressing jazz classic, with excellent audio quality - a "must have" for any serious jazz vinyl collection and only continuing to gain in value.

 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 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

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 during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 63 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

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 separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help 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 :

for the UK, Royal Mail 1st class, signed for : £4.00, 

for continental Europe international 1st class/Airmail, tracked and signed for: £11

and for Rest of the World international 1st class/Airmail, tracked and signed for £15.00

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

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records 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

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

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

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, discolouration, etc.

Fair

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 are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

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

Bad

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