Black Sabbath-Paranoid-1st UK 70 Vertigo Nr Mint

	£		155
	$		205

Never seen a copy of this album in such a perfect condition! Truly awesome!!

May I explain that this album is the genuine definitive very first UK pressing of this awesome release. It is truly a minefield to try and locate the very first press of this superb vertigo release and will highlight for you why it is confirmed to be the genuine, original ,vintage ,Very first UK pressing.

Printed on the inside of the gatefold sleeve is an extra line (later issues do not have this) saying Management, Jim Simpson ,Big bear Birmingham-Jim Simpson became Black Sabbath’s manager but just as Paranoid was released they sacked him! It was too late to withdraw the first batch of sleeves but was quickly corrected for the next sleeve print.

No difference in the mixes with later reissues except there is no separation between the tracks 2 and 3 on side B . This was also corrected for the second press run.

The B side label has a larger swirl above the center hole and the word vertigo on bottom of the label. No Philips credits as they were only produced on the first six vertigo label album releases.

Bearing in mind the above features, this album presentation is the very first UK pressing of this sensational release and has the very first printed gatefold sleeve with the Big Bear text. Hence you may bid with confidence.

Black sabbath- Paranoid

UK Vertigo swirl/spiral label 6360 011

Release date 26 Sept 1970

Matrices 1Y/2Y

Stampers 1  /  2 /1  1

                 1  /  2

Paranoid album by Sabbath rocketed into the UK charts in no time at all and set the standards for all heavy rock groups world wide. This was their second record/LP and blew everyone away. The single Paranoid was released a few weeks earlier and reached no. 4 in the UK charts. This record reached the dizzy heights of the no. one spot in the UK charts and smashed through the barrier of no return. Turned everybody’s world upside down. The single was reputed to be the one to have and to hold. The sound was stunning to say the least and discos still thrive on that luscious intro even to this day, possibly making Paranoid  the most infamous and best loved intros of all time.

These first pressings were very heavily played , so to have a copy turn up in very near mint condition, is one hell of a find!

This record is a superb heavy rock album , blessed with the VERY FIRST issue gatefold sleeve with the mega rare Big Bear Birmingham management credits, now impossible to locate . Hardly any creases to the sleeve with a matt finish .Corners quite sharp with just one tiny wear on one corner point ! Spine is square and solid, clearly showing title. No wear on lower edge but some on top edge .Pink, yellow,purple, blue and orange psychedelic coloration on front ,depicting military figures against a jet black background makes a striking presentation. Opens to excellent inner faces . A very good example of the very, VERY first issue gatefold sleeve, impossible to find in this superb condition. Some ring wear on reverse but a nice solid presentation of this scarce gatefold sleeve. Quite a remarkable example.

Has the V O price code printed in red on top right corner of back cover to authenticate that it is a  true original VERY first pressed sleeve. One of the most elusive for collectors showing the mega rare Big Bear credits. AWESOME!

Inner sleeve

Very important to have the genuine original with this important album. This is the spiral inner sleeve used to house the vinyl. Most went missing or got heavily stained , ripped or torn! This one is in very good+/ex- condition with NO seam splits and just a little aging discoloration in places. A real collectors item in tip top condition. Polylining holds fast to the inner sleeve with no tearing!!! Hand written name and number on reverse.

Labels

The famous and much sought after spiral/black and white vertigo swirl ,both in Ex+++/Near MINT- condition. One/two spider lines visible only and difficult to pick up . This has been very lightly played and is in superb format! From every possible angle, they appear perfect!!See pics!

Vinyl

Under ordinary lighting conditions, these playing surfaces appear Near MINT!! NO surface marks/blemishes of any kind!!!!!So rare to find a heavy rock vinyl in this remarkable condition.Most were so heavily played, used and abused but this record has been so meticulously handled , almost to the point of only a soft fingered touch and no more. Sheen on this vinyl is stunning-highly polished and glasslike.

Appearance is very close to mint and against the black and white swirl label, looks simply beautiful. Fairly thickly pressed unlike later editions which were thinner, lacking that feel that we collectors like to have.

Audio

Audio channels superb. A UK first press on the vertigo label….need I say more? Grooves engineered to the finest precision giving the most amazing sound production ever! What can I say except there is no distortion of any kind and tones are delivered with a razor sharp edge and a warm punch.  So many facets to describe on this record like the heavy grating tones, the robotic sound effects, the heavy guitar riffs,the evolution of deep, dark images from Osbourne’s sharp vocals, the thunderous percussion and the wailing tones all fuse together to give the best selling heavy rock album ever to be produced.

Summary

Guaranteed to blow your mind away! Surfaces seldom seen like these as few were treated with such meticulous care. Sensational audio channels, with that extra loud cut characteristic of  these rare UK first presses,tones delivered with razor sharp precision, delivered like no other. So many of the later presses tried again and again to replicate that first pressed sound , but failed miserably. These deep grooves convey the deepest of bass tones, to give you ,the listener, what you want to hear. The real thing…the closest reproduction of a live Sabbath performance.

A near mint copy of one of the best heavy rock albums ever released AND the most coveted gatefold very first issue sleeve with the mega rare Big Bear Birmingham credits on inner face. A superb collectors’ album presentation , impossible to locate in this sensational condition. True investment quality!

Black Sabbath heard at their very best and at the pinnacle of their fantastic musical career.

 An absolutely stunning example of a timeless classic.

Shipping

UK-£3.50                     Insured £6.50

Europe-£5.00   £10.50

USA/Japan-£8.50                      £14.00