TRAFFIC DEBUT MR FANTASY 1st UK ISLAND MONO MINT AuDiO ArChIVe BLUES PROG ROCK

	£		296
	$		392

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TRAFFIC ''MR. FANTASY'' 1ST UK PRESSING THE EARLIEST  AND RAREST TO EVER FIND! CAT NO. ILP-961 ((MONO)) 1967 WITH EARLIEST (TEXTURED ISLAND  LABELS) WITH THE ORANGE AND BLACK EYE LOGO! (ONLY ORIGINAL 1ST UK  PRESSINGS) TOP STUNNING VERY NEAR MINT AUDIO ON MY SYSTEM ABSOLUTELY STUNNING VINYL  SOUNDS BARELY EVER PLAYED!

STUNNING ORIGINAL LAMINATED FRONT (MONO) 1ST PRESS  GATE-FOLD COVER I DOUBT THAT YOU WILL FIND BETTER!

THE EARLIEST MATRIX EVER -A and -B ! WITH (NO) MOTHER  STAMPERS ONLY FOUND ON THE EARLIEST PRESS! HIGHLY COLLECTABLE AND  SOUGHT AFTER IN THIS AWESOME  ARCHIVE CONDITION!

Another from my personal collection. Purchased over 45 years ago and initially only played this a few times and recorded it to tape and then stored in a case with the vinyl removed from the cover and sleeve for protection. This is how I have always stored my records. I am a huge fan of Dave Mason, Steve Winwood and Traffic, and have  all of the original Uk releases and this is from my personal  collection! There are actually four different versions of the album  when taking into account both the UK and US track listings and the  different stereo and mono mixes. All have been re-issued on CD.  This is the rarest and most sought after and original MONO UK PRESSING  with absolutely awesome sound production throughout when played loud with a dedicated mono cartridge This not only looks but sounds, in my  opinion barely played! truly unbelievable for an original that is  clocking 46 years old! You will find the audio on this album hard to  surpass!

Mr. Fantasy (not to be confused with "Dear Mr. Fantasy",  the title song on this album) is the debut album by English rock band  Traffic. It was released in 1967. For the recording, group members  included Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood, Chris Wood, and Dave Mason, however  Mason left the band before the album was released.

Considered by far the strangest and most art rock style album that  Traffic released, Mr. Fantasy didn't gain much more than a cult  following for Traffic at the time. Critics seemed to like the album,  though, and most said it was clear that Steve Winwood and Traffic were  good at putting together semi-mainstream psychedelic rock, except this  album was not quite mainstream enough. By their next release, the  eponymous Traffic, the band was said to have worked through that!

This album features even more horns, flutes, and less rock-style  instruments than most of Traffic's future releases. The sitar was used  much more in this album than any other later Traffic albums, undoubtedly  because of Dave Mason's influence!

The first US version of the album on United Artists Records had a  different title Heaven Is In Your Mind and a different cover that  featured 3 members of the group without Dave Mason. The title was  quickly changed back to Mr. Fantasy but the new cover remained until  Island Records re-issued the UK version in the late 1970s

For the original US edition the group changed the album  substantially. The song order was changed and a short snippet of the  group's November 1967 single "Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush" was  added between most of the songs. The US LP also added three songs from  the group's UK singles, "Paper Sun" and "Hole In My Shoe" and "Smiling  Phases" (B-side) while deleting two Dave Mason songs "Hope I Never Find  Me There" and "Utterly Simple." The final track on the US album "Were A  Fade, You Missed This' is actually the ending of "Paper Sun" as it  appeared in the earlier single. There are also many differences between  the stereo and mono mixes for the album. Both the US and UK editions  were released in stereo and mono.

The album was engineered by Phil Brown who when asked what was his  favourite memory of engineering he responded: "Recording Dear Mr  Fantasy, one o'clock in the morning, November 1967."

Original UK album

1. "Heaven Is in Your Mind" (Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood, Chris Wood) – 4:16 
2. "Berkshire Poppies" (Capaldi, Winwood, Wood) – 2:55 
3. "House for Everyone" (Dave Mason) – 2:05 
4. "No Face, No Name, No Number" (Capaldi, Winwood) – 3:35 
5. "Dear Mr. Fantasy" (Capaldi, Winwood, Wood) – 5:44 
6. "Dealer" (Capaldi, Winwood) – 3:34 
7. "Utterly Simple" (Mason) – 3:16 
8. "Coloured Rain" (Capaldi, Winwood, Wood) – 2:43 
9. "Hope I Never Find Me There" (Mason) – 2:12 
10. "Giving to You" (Capaldi, Mason, Winwood, Wood) – 4:20

The Matrix

side 1.''ILP-961-A'' (1ST PRESS)

side 2. ''ILP-961-B2''

(NO) MOTHER STAMPERS AT 3 OCLOCK AND 9 OCLOCK TO THE MATRIX! (YOU WILL ONLY FIND THIS ON THE EARLIEST EVER UK PRESSINGS)!

The Vinyl

This is the original thick heavy and chunky type of  vinyl! Only found on early pressings, with deep grooves! (later press  are much more flimsier and less robust)

This vinyl lays perfectly flat on the turntable and there is no warping!

On initial inspection this vinyl looks absolutely  awesome and i can hardly see a blemish! This retains its original sheen  from new! Only possibly when scrutinised in strong light can I barely see   feint surface sleeve removal type scuffs only. Please note! I cant see any needle scratches at  least (no) audio sounding marks what so ever that would cause any loud clicks or pops! Outstanding \stunning for  46 years old!

The Audio

I have played this vinyl track for track three times  prior to listing at very loud volume on a top system,, importantly using a dedicated mono cartridge. The audio is truly  awesome throughout, (no) distortion or any signs of any groove ware, or  that this has been over played what so ever! Cristal clear and vibrant  throughout! Truly unique MONO audio that can not be surpassed by the  later stereo versions in my opinion. This is how it should sound!

Please note! I always add this disclaimer! Please allow  for the odd light static (not) consistant throughout the audio! Please  remember that this is a genuine 46 year old vinyl, that would have  originally been played on a 46 year old system! top top audio  throughout!

Points to note! This has been stored in a case for at  least 25 years! A build up of dirt and dust in the grooves from laying  dormant causes static crackle\ticks ! A constant clean is recomended  before each play!,, this will reduce this static and enhance the audio  quality!

The Labels

These are the earlist 1st press TEXTURED PINK ISLAND  LABELS (WITH THE RED AND BLACK EYE LOGO) These look very near perfect  and I can barely see very minimal spidering (even angled to the light)

The record sleeve

This is a plain white sleeve.

The Cover

This is the original 1ST PRESS (MONO) gatefold cover  (laminated front with internal flip backs) with mono featured at the  spine!(only 1st issues)  Amaizingly No Ring ware that is so often seen on this flimsy flap cover, I would go as far as to say that the front looks like it has just come out of the shop. Any storage ware to mention is just light corner bump at bottom corner of the spine only really noticed if looked for in my opinion and can only be seen at the rear. There is no nasty names written on this! The internal is  unlaminated with large flip backs (only 1st press) in truly superbe  condition. This is original and rare! This must be at least excellent plus if not better. I have never seen a better looking example of this 1st issue cover, unbelievably rare to find like this!

HOW I SEND MY RECORDS

THIS ALBUM WILL BE  SENT IN A  LARGE BOX WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS THE ALBUM IS ALWAYS PUT  IS A POLY  SLEEVE AND ENCASED IN THE BOX WITH PLENTY OF BUBBLE WRAP FOR  ADDED  PROTECTION (SEE PHOTOS)

As always I have tried to give my honest personal opinion when  describing items listed! Although it is my honest opinion! I always urge  others to do their own personal research on any items that they are  interested in purchasing, before, they commit to bidding!) I  have Highlighted all aspects as clearly as possible!! I have taken time  to play this vinyl track for track to give a clear and accurate  description of the audio quality. (please look at my completed listings  of albums that I have sold of this calaber (more than 800 items) and you  will see that I normally get it right) I have also provided as many  photos as I can and supersized so that all aspects can be seen clearly  in strong light! Please note! These photos are the actual item for  sale and not copies of other items!

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding this item or any other items that I have listed!

I HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK SO PLEASE BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDANCE!

SHIPPING TO THE USA, CANADA & JAPAN IS 13.76 GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

SHIPPING TO EUROPE IS 10.76 GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

POSTAGE WITHIN ENGLAND IS FREE SENT BY RECORDED DELIVERY

Please note! All items are now despatched by signed for 1st class  delivery! I normally despatch within the next working day on receipt  of cleared funds (not on Weekends)

All items are despatched securely with ample  reinforcement (It is my prime interest to make sure that the items  arrive in the same condition that they left me!

I offer a postage discount for multiple purchases!,,  but I do insist that the buyer pay for the items as they are won! I can  not any longer allow winning bidders to run up a large bill and then not  pay! I do not have a problem with holding the goods to be despatched  untill they are ready (at the buyers request), for multiple items  purchased!

MY NEW POLICY! Because of the unfortunate recent  problems that I have had with non payments, Any new ebayers with  low, poor or no real history,  Please contact me first!

PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW! (click the link bellow)

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