THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS Orig.1967 Gospel Soul ATLANTIC 8155 in Shrink NM/EX+ LP

$

30

Many rare vintage FUNK, Soul, R&B LPs in Phase 1 of my Spring/Summer series.
All in SUPERB Condition; most with EX+ to NM+ Vinyl
Mostly 1st PRESSINGS, including a large amount of PROMO LPs.
Many, many others still in SHRINK WRAP. Several STILL SEALED.
Quite a few WLP, Sterling, RL, Masterdisk and Monarch pressings in the mix!
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All from a fanatically well-kept collection from long-time former DJ
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Following Soon:
Phase 2 with More vintage and classic SOUL, GOSPEL, R&B, BLUES, JAZZ, (all kinds incl. Funk/Soul-Jazz) and JAZZ SINGER LPs
...then Phase 3 to follow, with a large collection of REGGAE and INTERNATIONAL (Afrobeat, Latin, Caribbean, Brazilian, etc.)
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USA Shipping: FREE
International Shipping Worldwide -at EXACT POSTAGE Only cost
Combined Shipping Discounts

This auction is for:
The Sweet Inspirations
Self-titled Debut LP
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.ATLANTIC Records SD 8155
Original 1967 issue • Stereo LP
MONARCH Pressing • 1841 Broadway labels.

VINYL is NM/EX+
High gloss vinyl has one hairline on side 1 that is inaudible. Side 2 is pristine. LP plays Like New throughout. Grooved ATLANTIC labels are immaculate both sides.
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COVER is EX+
Still in shrink wrap, but with couple of faint age spots on back at bottom. No creases, dings or other marks. Sharp corners and straight edges all around.

STRICT CONSERVATIVE GOLDMINE GRADING
NM / EX(VG++) / VG+ / VG

Superb Monarch pressing!
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FIRST PRESSING
MATRIX NUMBERS
?Side One: ST-A-671127-AA
?Side Two: ST-A-671128-AA
circled "MR" glyph also in trail-off wax both sides
indicating pressed at MONARCH RECORDERS, one of the era's top pressing plants

*Also mastered at Monarch as evidenced by the number at bottom of labels:
"ST-A-671127-MO" // "ST-A-671128-MO" -Atlantic's designation for Monarch masters

"If one was cutting a soul, R&B, pop, rock, or girl group record in New York in the '60s and needed female backup vocals, chances are they'd try to get the Sweet Inspirations first. The group found their way onto numerous recordings, including hits by The Drifters, Van Morrison, Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke, Garnett Mimms, and most famously, Aretha Franklin (with whom they sometimes toured).

The group evolved from the '50s gospel group the Drinkard Singers. At various points soul singers Doris Troy, Judy Clay, Dionne Warwick, and sister Dee Dee Warwick were members. By the time they began to record on their own in 1967, their leader was Cissy Houston (mother of Whitney), and the women were renamed the SWEET INSPIRATIONS.

As an Atlantic recording act, the group cut some fine sides that rank among the clearest illustrations of the close links between soul music and gospel harmony. Usually sticking to material by famed soul and pop songwriters, they had about a half-dozen moderate R&B hits in the late '60s; the biggest, "Sweet Inspiration", that leads off this debut LP was a Top 20 pop single. The Sweet Inspirations infuse their unique charm and skill into each number."

"This is a must-have album for girl-group aficionados and soul music historians everywhere."

Original ATLANTIC company inner sleeve included?.?
Disc kept in separate ANTI-STATIC inner sleeve to protect both the original inner and the vinyl.

Near-impossible to find a 1st press in this top condition!

Even though still in the original shrink-wrap
Album kept in a protective, poly outer-sleeve
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Please see my other listings for more
Vintage Collectible Soul, Funk and R&B LPs
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All records packed with vinyl (inside inner sleeve) behind cover - with bubble-wrap around all sides - sandwiched between stiff corrugated flats and shipped in strong LP mailer boxes for best protection in the mail.

Please be aware that these important supplies add to my shipping costs - none of which is charged in your low shipping fee.
My LP packing is considered to be among the very best on eBay. I would have it no other way.

Check my feedback and bid with confidence! Money-back guarantee!

SHIPPING RATES
...All packages are sent insured (at no added cost to you)

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USA:
Media Mail: FREE ...additional LPs in same shipment: FREE
Priority Mail: $12.40  ...additional LPs in same shipment: $1.00 each.

Combine buys to save on shipping!

For COMBINED SHIPPING: Pay for all items at once, when your last item has ended

ALL OTHER COUNTRIES:
I charge EXACT POSTAGE only, Worldwide.
FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL or PRIORITY INTERNATIONAL - Your Choice.

*OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS:
All packages above 4 Lbs (5-6 or more LPs) can NOT ship by the low 1ST CLASS International rate.
Those must go by higher (but faster) PRIORITY INTERNATIONAL RATE with FULL TRACKING.
These are US Postal System rules, not mine.

*PLEASE do not ask me to mark the item as a 'GIFT' for customs. I cannot.
The postal clerks know better; I ship LPs constantly (over 30 years) and cannot fool them.

for packages below $100.00
I will ALWAYS offer you choices
 -the standard LOWEST rate that the US Postal system allows,
plus the FASTER, but higher rate, which includes Full Tracking.

ALL ITEMS OR COMBINED PACKAGES OF $100.00 OR OVER, SHIPPED OVERSEAS
must ship FULLY INSURED by PRIORITY MAIL INTERNATIONAL for FULL TRACKING.
For FULL TRACKING on any other item please select the PRIORITY SHIPPING choice

Payment to be received within 7 days of listing end.
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I ship as soon as I receive cleared payment and treat ALL my customers and their packages with the greatest respect.