Art Blakey & Jazz Messengers The Big Beat 1984 French Blue Note LP + Poster EX+

	£		16
	$		21

1984 French Blue Note/Capitol Direct Metal Mastering Audiophile STEREO L.P. pressing of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messenger’s ‘The Big Beat’ (Catalogue Reference: Blue Note BST 84029).  Blakey’s band consists of Jymie Merritt, Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter and Bobby Timmons.  This package was manufactured in France for the American market and as such features a French audiophile pressing inside a decent, American-style thick card sleeve (not a thin and flimsy European sleeve).  The sleeve was also apparently manufactured in France.  The vinyl was manufactured by Pathe Marconi, Chatou, France and the recording is a direct digital mastering which has been digitally remastered.  The vinyl is stored inside a poly-lined Blue Note label bag.  The sleeve is largely still covered in cellophane and therefore the original OBI is still fully attached and this also comes with a large, round poster which can be seen in the attached images.

CONDITION: EX+ (VINYL) / EX+ (SLEEVE) / EX+ (POSTER): The vinyl has clearly never seen heavy play and being stored inside a poly-lined inner sleeve has really aided in it’s preservation.  Under an intense light there are only a limited number of the thinnest, wispiest hairline marks.  As noted above the sleeve is largely still covered in polythene.  Each of the corners have received light knocks and I note a couple of encrusted fingerprints on a section of the rear of the sleeve which has been exposed (i.e. which the polythene no longer covers).  The poster has never been on a wall and displays a little creasing where it has been caught beneath the vinyl in the sleeve at some point.  Basically, this doesn’t look 30+ years old!

GRADINGS – How I Grade

My items are visually graded under an intense light using my nearly 20 years of experience buying and playing records.  I am a record collector first and foremost.  I would say my grading is on the conservative side however, it is also realistic.  Realistic in the sense that sometimes even brand new records are not immaculate.  Some items are play-graded and where this is the case it will be noted in the Item Description.  Please note that it is my assertion that 99.9% of issues which might be experienced upon playback of a record can be identified through visual grading.  I’m a longstanding Ebayer so please feel free to check my feedback if you have any concerns about the quality of the items I list.  As always please review my images if you have any concern about the condition of a sleeve!  A picture speaks a thousand words! 

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intense light there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.