THELMA HOUSTON - I'VE GOT THE MUSIC IN ME - MINT 1st PRESSING DIRECT-TO-DISC LP

	£		16
	$		21

Artist & Title: Thelma Houston & Pressure Cooker ?– I've Got The Music In Me

RARE MINT 1975 DIRECT CUT TO MASTER LIMITED EDITION 1975 9-track audiophile LP on the Sheffield Lab label, recorded live from the studio direct to the master disc, with heavy card gatefold sleeve and illustrated credits inner. The record is in Mint condition and sounds as wonderful as ever. And the clean and sharp cover is in Very Good condition for a sleeve of this type and age. See pics. A superb collector’s copy of this definitive Sheffield Lab Direct to Disc recoding.
Highly desirable for its rare genuine SL7/SL8 matrices (not to be confused with the version cut from the stereo tapes) and Mint condition vinyl, and increasingly difficult to find in this condition. This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to add this rarity to your collection at an extremely advantageous price.

Catalogue Number: Sheffield Lab ?– LAB 2

Release date: 1975

Overall Grade: Mint/VG (LP/Cover)

Matrix (Runout): Side 1: SL7-4-S 3 ?91811 (1) Side 2: SL8-3-M 4 ?19811-X (5)

Notes: This as a Sheffield Lab Direct-to-Disc LP in which the live performance was recorded from the Sheffield Lab's RCA 77 ribbon mic directly to lacquer in real time. The recordings were short because the groove spacing was controlled by hand to maximize the headroom, about 15-20 minutes per side on the LP. The lacquer recording was then plated to create the master from which the Sheffield Lab discs were pressed onto 180-gram vinyl. Since each master could create only a limited number of LPs, all Sheffield Lab LP discs were limited editions.

This unique LP is hardly ever offered for sale in this condition – if ever.

"This is one of the most lasting and continually interesting albums ever made. I have owned this album since its release and still enjoy it as much as the first time I played it. Thelma Houston is amazing and Pressure Cooker is composed of some of the finest studio musicians of the era."

This is the extremely rare real thing: a genuine MINT CONDITION 1975 US DIRECT-TO-DISC pressing. The record is in as-new condition and the cover and inner sleeve are in very good condition for their type and age. All items are free from any major defects such as scratches, tears, stains and writing. See pics. All items are the genuine originals bought together by me in 1975, not reprints or replacements. The LP is the original 1975 US stereo direct-to-disc LP, which was only played occasionally on top-end audiophile equipment and lovingly cared for.

"Being a direct to disc recording means even an unsophisticated ear can hear the dynamics and even some minor flubs in the band. As a former professional musician, the lack of multiple tracks edited until close to perfection, is a welcome plus. This is a must have for any serious collector."

The recording studio Sheffield Lab had a reputation of releasing stellar recordings. Most of that had to do with their technique of recording their sessions direct to disc. One of their most celebrated works was the 1975 album "I've Got the Music in Me" - a collaboration between Motown Records singer Thelma Houston and an array of in-demand session musicians named Pressure Cooker. Most of the session players have made the rounds appearing on countless jazz, rock and soft rock records in the early-to-mid 70's. Among them are arrangers and musicians Michael Omartian and Mike Melvoin (who's also the father to former Prince protégés Wendy and Susannah Melvoin and late Smashing Pumpkins touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin). Also appearing on the album are session drummers Jim Gordon and Jim Keltner, jazz guitarists Larry Carlton and Dean Parks with horn players Jim Horn, Richard Perissi, Chuck Findley and Tom Scott. Rounding out the band are keyboard players Larry Knechtel and Lincoln Mayorga with background singers Jim Gilstrap, Lisa Roberts and Myrna Matthews.
"I've Got the Music in Me" is mostly an album of cover songs. They interpret such famous songs as "To Know You Is To Love You", a song that was originally performed by Stevie Wonder's former wife Syreeta Wright. They also take on the Kiki Dee classic "I've Got The Music In Me", as well as The Beatles' "Got To Get You Into My Life". Also included is the song "Don't Misunderstand", which was written by political activist and photographer Gordon Parks. However, the album's stand out tracks are the instrumentals. They stretch out on the song "Reggae Tune" as well as on "Dish Rag". They also strut their collective stuff on the song "Pressure Cooker" - a song, which these days, is best known as the sample behind Lupe Fiasco's duet with Jay-Z "Pressure". Thelma Houston & Pressure Cooker's album is one that is sought after by collectors and highly revered by astute audiophiles. However, one doesn't need to be an audiophile to appreciate the greatness that is "I've Got the Music in Me". One listen to this album and it becomes very clear as to why this recording is thought of as being a masterpiece.

This may be your only ONCE IN A LIFETIME chance to own this rare piece of music history in this condition.

"This album is so brilliantly done its one of the few albums true audiophiles will use to test a hi-fi system. So beautifully recorded. Snappy clear bass, sweet smooth highs, fantastic depth and so many instruments play their parts. Every track a winner, vocal or instrumental."

A fantastic time warp example of this rarity in amazing condition, a true investment grade item - get it while you can!

AND IT MUST SELL IN THIS ONCE ONLY AUCTION

You can read more about this album, Sheffield Lab, Thelma Houston and Pressure Cooker all over the web.

I pack my records professionally in stiff corrugated cruciform record boxes leaving the Vinyl (housed in anti-static bags) outside the Sleeve.

Postage discounts for multiple orders are available: £1 per additional LP, up to a maximum of 4, in the UK.
£4 per additional LP, up to a maximum of 4, in the Rest of the World.

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"Superb piece of vinyl - wonderfully packaged"