ZAPPA / MOI Uncle Meat Orig 69 US LP, Book+inners. EX++

	£		90
	$		119

Hi, I am Mike, I am 46 and have been a music collector and enthusiast for over 33 years now. We all wish we could turn back the clock and buy those wonderful brand new records from the 60s and 70s, but alas, this is not possible; so I always try to offer the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. No vinyl/music lover really would choose to buy second-hand, but this is only way now to own these valuable, prized and ellusive items now. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirity, not just bits to guess a grade (on a Rega 3 deck with Ortofon cartridge) - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story - I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested reader – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get. The only thing I cannot guarantee one hundred percent is exact colour matching - this depends on the lighting at the time and that is out of my control, but I feel sure most items will be very close to the actual real item. Variation can sometimes occur too in colour of the label scans and labels taken next to the sleeve with a digital camera, the scanned full label pictures should be the most accurate. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic , and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps or sticks or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance. Item wants are always welcome - email me with anything needed, you never know - I may just have a copy in stock. I by quality single items and collections also (Email me please if you have quality items for sale).

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Please read all the information carefully - these adverts take an age to compile properly - so it’s well worth a few minutes of your time to read the details thoroughly. I really cannot take any responsibility if any bidder fails to read any facts that are clearly stated in the advert - Thankyou.

Artist or Band: THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION

Album Title: Uncle Meat .

Track Listing: Uncle Meat; The Voice of Cheese; Nine Types of Industrial Pollution; Zolar Czakl; Dog Breath in The Year of the Plague; The Legend of the Golden Arches; Louie Louie; The Dog Breath Variations; Sleeping in a Jar; our Bizarre Relationship; The Uncle Meat Variations; Electric Aunt Jemima; Prelude to King Kong; God Bless Amewrica; A Pound for a Brown on the Bus; Ian Underwood Whips it Out; Mr Green Genes; We Can Shoot You; If We’d All Been Living in California; The Air; Project X; Cruising for Burgers; King Kong Itself; parts 1-5.

Label/Format: Bizarre (Classic original green and turquoise format).

Label Condition: This quartet looks virtually new, I can barely see a spindle trace at all. Clearly this pair have hardly been out of the Frank n Herb inners. Stunningly clean and possibly the freshest meat you can buy. (Please see label scan for all information needed, all four are the same - immaculate!).

Cat Number: 2MS 2024.

Mono or Stereo: Stereo.

Country of Manufacture: US

Rarity: Rarely do I say this, but for me THE definitive version of this MOI classic. This lovely copy includes the ‘nifty’ book and the stickered cover that were not included on the more basic UK issue. In my experience too I have found the US pressings of ‘Meat’ are usually better pressed than the UK Transatlantic version - both are essential, dont get me wrong, but the Bizarre pressed copies take a lot beating and this one plays pretty close to perfect with stunning sound.

Original Year of Release: 1969

Matrix Nos: 30871 MS 2024 A -1B and D-1B; 30872 MS2024 b-1b and C-1B. The stampers are A1, A2, A3 and A4. This appears to be a very first pressing on this evidence. The stickered cover and book and inners should reiterate the point too.

Brief Artist & Album Info: This US pressed copy did actually make the charts at 43 but never came close in the UK. Along with We’re Only in it For the Money this for me is The Mothers second masterpiece, an album so far ahead of its time its difficult to believe this was recorded back in 1969. The use of electronics and treatments of voices and traditional musical instruments is quite mind-blowing. This was the band with eleven members, it introduces us to Ruth Komanoff (later Underwood) a classically-trained percussionist who plays the distinctive marimba and other vibes on this remarkable double set. Zappa was still printing Edgard Varèse’s quote on his albums - ‘The present day composer refuses to die!’ - but so far his talent for outrage had obscured his skills as a composer. Uncle Meat aimed to set that right, a double set release that downplayed lyrics. ‘Basically this is an instrumental album’, it said inside the gatefold. A note described the technique of overdubbing, which was used extensively, opening up the weird world of virtual orchestration. New recruits Art Tripp and Komanoff were both added on percussion. They helped Zappa realise some of his fiendish metrical ingenuities. Ian Underwood played harpsichord: a jangling, absurdist quality infuses all the music. Uncle Meat eventually became a great favourite in Europe, and almost singlehandedly gave birth to the genre of Art Rock. The music was to be used in the movie of the same name, but never got actually finished until much later (the money ran out). This is Zappa at the very peak of creativity, predominately instrumental, but not all, it includes some classic live performances taken from tours in the US and UK. ‘Louie Louie’ features Don Preston on the ‘mighty Royal Albert Hall Pipe Organ’ and the band also murder ‘God Bless America’ (an equivalent statement to the distortions Hendrix was applying to ‘Star Spangled Banner’). Pamela Zarubica (a one time house-mate) appeared as the ‘Voice of the Cheese’ - Zappa takes the listener from domestic intimacy to rock-venue spectacle in breathtaking lurches. Every track is interesting in its complexity either vocally, or more so instrumentally. Zappa’s solo on ‘Nine Type of Industrial Pollution’ has inspired many guitarists in the future with its strange chord structures and sound. And ‘The Air’ had lyrics about customs searches and tape recordings and ‘If We’d all Been Living in California’ is a conversation between Jimmy Carl Black and Zappa about why the Mothers were not making more money being on the road and being near destitute. But the album’s piece-de-resistance is Side D taken up by one of the FZ’s greatest compositions: ‘King Kong’, this is a six section instrumental featuring some blistering solos from Underwood on electric alto sax, Motorhead on a deranged baritone sax and best of all Bunk Gardner’s solo. Many assume this is a treated saxophone solo but not so, the amazing sounds are created on an electric clarinet - you have never heard nothing like this - the reed belch and rasp and creates a sound possibly unique to this amazing album. The instrument is simply blown to destruction, this is Gardner’s tour de force, his finest moment with the Mothers. The huge band is in overdrive on ‘Kong Kong’ and sounds created are astonishing. I compared this vinyl record against the new Japanese card cover CD and the vinyl has so much more verve and detail and cannot be compared. The prelude to King Kong on side B is pretty amazing too, a huge jazz rock instrumental - this is the band blowing at their very best. (Check out the CD Pachuco Hop if you can find it for more of the same, recorded live in Toronto 1969 - its incredible). For any FZ fan who has not heard this amazing journey into free jazz and weird creativity, this has to be experienced. As stated this US original has the even rarer original full size book and unusually a very solid and attractive cover with little of the usual wear associated with these types. The original Zappa and Cohen inners are included too, even this pair are close to mint - yes they have almost mandatory edge and bottom splits from the razor sharp LPs but neat and looking superb overall with no creasing or soiling. The book is a gem also and includes some lovely early Mothers band pictures, the sheet music to ‘King Kong’ and ‘Uncle Meat’ tracks, the doll foot as young rifle showing mu meson voluptizer and references to Captain Beefheart’s masterpiece Trout Mask Replica. This copy on offer is a beauty. Apart from a a hairline across side II (totally superficial and non-sounding). This pair play almost perfectly and look real nice. The cover, always one of the hardest FZ items to find solid, even the UK version, is EX minimum and more like EX++ for a US version with only some lightish edgewear and faint rub on the back. A US copy of this album is a prized Zappa item as an original with the book and for sure strong copies appear rarely these days, never a huge selling album, it was far to way out for most but believe me the word ‘masterpiece’ is not overused for this one. The sounds embedded in these original vintage grooves are priceless and so far ahead of their time. The use of early synths and electronic effects was groundbreaking, few sounds were heard before, even after this record and its importance in progressive and jazz rock is undeniable. Zappa truly was the Father of Invention, this album and copy should please most of fanatical collectors, one to cherish. – Mike.

Cover Grade and Format: I am happy to grade this exceptional US cover as EX+, because it, so far, is the best one I have seen. Its a gatefold format and unlaminated of course. Huge sticker on the front which states ‘The Mothers of Invention, Two LPs and a nifty 12-page book’. This important sticker is near perfect, unpicked, removed or replaced. Faint rub trace only if being critical. This cover is heavy card, prone to wear and splitting but for a change little evidence of anything bad.

Cover Front: Bizarre label, bizzare cover for sure. A pretty gross affair really but it looks as attractive as it can. In fact this front is somewhere near perfect. A very light rub trace near the top and bottom but no ringwear, spitting, fading, creasing or marks - even when viewed at an angle. Indentation-free too, this front will not be found looking much better and that’s including the UK version.

Cover Back: Superb, very similiar to front, just a faint ring arc at the very top and bottom, but this camouflages well on the cover artwork.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Stunning, near perfect.

Top Edge: Light rub traces, but unsplit until the final quarter inch on the right and that’s only very light.

Bottom Edge: Mild rubbing but no splits or serious erosion.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with almost no wear. Record entered on right outside edges.

Spine and Text: Massive thick spine, solid and square with little wear, text is close to perfect and unworn.

Corners: All four show little wear, just around the tip areas are rubbed as usual. All still nicely shaped.

Cover Summary: A lovely all round example of this fragile late 60’s cover, one that could prove very difficult to find much better. This strong item should please most collectors. The two bizarre inners with FZ and Herb Cohen illustrated are superb and amongst the best ever seen. Neat side splits and bottom, but how many will have none? - these look terrific!

The Book: Pretty easy, its almost like new. All pages fully intact, clean and untorn. The two original staples both rock solid.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EX+ to Mint(-), as stated side II has a hairline, also a very light surface scuff but no sound whatsoever, just superificial surface marks. A superb visual copy. Super clean, shiny, jet black and very solidly pressed. Barely any other marks to be seen - faint surface traces if scrutinized from the unlined inners, that’s all, this looks really lovely. A copy with minimal plays on all the evidence. Visually a super pair that should please most collectors again.

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This superset plays up to its high visual grading with little to fault - actually even better than visual to be totally honest. Strong, undistorted sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is astonishing with a massive dynamic range and very full sound. Any surface sounds are minimal indeed, and few copies will play better than this, odd surface traces on the very quiet passages but there are not that many anyway. Both channels are clean and sharp, I feel very sure this record has been played very lightly and has been generally well stored and looked after, almost certainly in a non-smoking environment. Little, if anything spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this classic - I enjoyed every single second. This copy could prove near impossible to find significantly better.

Mono vs Stereo, an overview: Always a matter of opinion which is better or more important. For any serious collector where there is a choice e.g. Beatles, Stones, Hendrix etc. both are essential. True Stereo albums give great imagery and presence whereas mono albums usually are more dynamic, louder and present the detail more clearly. Mono albums are far harder to find in genuinely top playing condition. Most were heavily played, particularly the truly great bands and artists, often covered in mark and scratches, many severe and labels that were a mass of spindle marks. The majority were played on vintage and unsubtle decks with heavy tonearms and thick styli (often sapphire, not diamond, that chipped more easily) that rendered heavy wear in a very short time to many a fine classic record. Wear to the delicate groove walls, particularly the innermost tracks to the labels were most vulnerable where the tracking angle became more severe and the backdrag actually stripped the delicate groove walls. This resulted in surface noise and mild/moderate distortion or worse. These old decks tracked by sheer weight and little of any refined engineering. Next time you see such a deck at a local record fayre, feel the weight of the arm, it almost makes you wonder how any records survived at all. The point of this paragraph is emphasise that when a truly clean, lightly played and great sounding 60s mono album (or stereo come to that) is offered, treasure it, because for sure they are truly getting vary rare and precious - beware - demand only play-graded records. As a general guide to rarity, mono was the far more common format from 61–65; Around 66–67 the balance was roughly equal, then from 68-69 the balance swung more to stereo, making monos from these dates far scarcer, even rare - this guide is important and effects values greatly.

Album Played For Grading: Yes.

Final Summary: The cornerstone for any FZ collection, I for one would not want this album minus the book, its a fine insert - the UK version did not include it. This record often does not appeal immediately for the non-FZ connoisseur, but I promise with perseverance this will captivate and enthrall, its totally unique, no other album, even from his own large catalogue sounded quite like this one. This is 75 per cent instrumental and challenges the listener right from the opening grooves. Highly complex with some amazing soloing - this was the original Mothers at their very best musically - little satire here, pure quality music, that at long last is getting music buffs of all genres interested - high time too!!!. These people are simply finding out what genius this man was - us Mother People knew this years ago, just a pity its only after his untimely death does the world wake up to the fact. This set is superb, one that can be played and enjoyed to its full potential. Remember, if your collection lacks this one - neccessity is the Mother of Invention - don’t lose this fine copy – Mike.

Having the Powerseller Logo: This is recognition from Ebay for the highest possible customer services, satisfaction and quality, it should reassure any potential bidder that all items are described, graded and shipped to the highest standards possible. Customer care of the highest order is a standard feature here and I am proud to have achieved this recognised standard of excellence from Ebay with help from collectors and buyers from all over the World - I thank you all.

Payment Details please read carefully - I know its boring but essential:

UK First Class: = £3.00; Recorded Delivery (Recommended) = £5.50 Special Delivery (Next day, insured up to £250), the best service available = £7.00

Europe Air Mail: = £4 Insured: £8.00

Overseas, non-Europe e.g. USA, Japan, Australia etc. Airmail:= £7; Insured with recorded delivery (where available) = £11.00

Singles: (Packed to the high standards of the LPs)

UK First class: = £2.00 Insured: £4

Europe Air Mail = £3.00 Insured: £5.50

Overseas, non-Europe (as above) Airmail £3.50 Insured: £6.00

Doubles add extra £1, triples add extra £2. Box sets add extra £3 (£4 overseas and Europe)

Any item that sells for over £85 will be sent Special Delivery in the UK at no extra cost. Items over £125 get the same service Overseas. This is gives peace of mind for the winning bidder and myself for valuable items. Reduced postage of course for multiple items.

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Mailing Details: Please note I do NOTprofit on postage (my packing standards are high and the package weighs a little more and I often actually lose money on this part of service - I simply refuse to compromise with poor packing. All records are sent in plastic covers with the record taken OUT of the sleeve and sent in professional mailers with FOUR professional stiffners for extra protection (if space allows), I do NOT use old cardboard boxes or cereal packets for protection. More expensive items are also inserted into a de-luxe heavy duty padded bag AS WELL to give that extra protection. I truly want ALL my items to arrive to their destination in the same condition they leave me. I will also include in most cases a brand new lined inner, but will include the original inner if available and in a condition to be worthwhile.

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Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. I now only accept PayPal, International money orders or cash from overseas bidders (UK Sterling, US dollars or Euros). Cash, cheques, postal orders and PayPal are fine from the UK. I allow maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if this does not happen I will relist the item and may send negative feedback unless an explanation is given. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask. Please keep watch on my Ebays, I have other interesting items coming very soon. Thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: As listening to every single record I offer all the way through is difficult timewise, can I make it clear if any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. I still endeavour to play all the items in their entirity for grading if at all possible and is usually the case.