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    Just one of inkFrog's Creations

Description

THE CLOVERS

"JAZZ SERIES"

1956 ATLANTIC DEBUT LP

BLACK LABEL

DEEP GROOVE

ABSOLUTE 1ST US PRESS

ATLANTIC 1248

• MEGA RARE 1956 MONO ABSOLUTE 1st US PRESSING on the DEEP GROOVE black ATLANTIC label with silver lettering (see photo). This is the Clovers DEBUT lp and the toughest to find on the Atlantic 1248 "Jazz Series" first press catalog number. It was reissued in 1957 as Atlantic 8009 in the Rock 8000 series. It is one that rarely comes up for sale in collectible condition. This copy is clean both cover and vinyl (see photos).
• This amazing 1956 US LP is pressed on beautiful SUPER THICK non flexible deep groove ATLANTIC vinyl (see photo).
• This famous US glossy photo cover is pressed on thick cardboard stock with a pasted on back paper slick (See Photo).
• The ORIGINAL MONO analog mixes of these great songs are NOT AVAILABLE on CD. This is the only way for you to obtain them. Do not be fooled by inferior digital re-mastering, re-mixes or compilation CD's. This is an original ANALOG recording; the real thing.

The Clovers occupy an exalted place in the history of R&B, if not in the minds of many listeners, other than hard-core devotees of the music's history -- the Drifters tend to eclipse them, by virtue of their longer history and the string of hits that the later incarnation of that group had during the 1960s. The truth is that the Clovers not only started earlier than any other act on Atlantic, but they also scored more hits in their six years there than any other R&B act in the label's history.

The group was put in the hands of producer/songwriter Jesse Stone (aka Charles Calhoun), who, with Ertegun, directed them further into this new territory that they suddenly found themselves trailblazing. In April of 1952, "One Mint Julep" became a number two single, and they followed that up in July with "Ting-a-Ling," which also got to number two. The Clovers' fortunes continued until Bailey was drafted during the summer of 1952, and the group didn't see any significant success again until the summer of 1953 when "Good Lovin'" charted at number two with Charlie White, late of Billy Ward's group the Dominoes. They charted again at number three in the spring of 1954 with "Lovey Dovey," and then Billy Mitchell came in as lead singer for "Your Cash Ain't Nothin' but Trash." That single was only a relatively modest hit during the summer of 1954, but it was useful on a whole different level, getting the group a berth in the pioneering rock & roll/R&B short feature Rock 'n' Roll Revue. Beginning in 1955, with Bailey's discharge from the army, he and Mitchell served as joint lead singers in the group.

The Clovers switched to a ballad style in 1955 with the release of "Blue Velvet," which was a modest success at number 14 on the R&B listings. Their next single, "Devil or Angel," the latter an "over-the-transom" submission by an amateur songwriter named Blanche Carter, got to number three, but that marked the end of their run of hits on Atlantic. Ironically, it was those last two singles; which were really the least representative of their sound of any of their hits; became their best known singles, getting the widest airplay, though their version of "Devil or Angel" was later eclipsed by Bobby Vee's recording. Following its release, as the rock & roll boom solidified around white performers, guitar-based acts, and novelty tunes, the Clovers experienced a downturn in their fortunes. They ceased charting singles and after two more years of attempts at reviving their sales, Atlantic released the bluesy sleeper classic "Down in the Alley" (1957), one of the raunchiest songs of its period ever aimed at a mainstream audience, which even had the temerity to project its lustful observations slowly. (AMG)

This Lp has a great track line up (see back cover photo for listing). The DEEP GROOVE 1ST PRESS version of this one doesn't come up often let alone in this clean condition both cover and vinyl. This copy is from my personal collection. This copy plays great too. I'll let the market decide what it is worth. Please bid accordingly. Please see the other LP's I have up for Auction.

Record Condition: Side 1 & 2: Very Good++/Very Good+ ...the thick deep groove 1st press vinyl has full LIKE NEW gloss and a deep lustre with only a few light handling sleeve slide/surface marks. The beautiful ATLANTIC labels are clean with only very light wear around the spindle holes (See photos). The deep groove black label fidelity is incredible. CD's and later vinyl pressings can't even come close to the incredible fidelity of this original ATLANTIC LP.

Cover/Jacket Condition: Very Good+ ...the white high gloss laminated front cover has only light wear in the sheen (see photo). The back cover is white and very clean also with only very light wear and an FS50 stamp at the top edge (see photo). The seams are intact and sharp with wear at the corners. The spine is intact and lettering sharp with light wear at the corners(see photo). No cut-out holes, corners, drill holes, indents, saw marks, razor marks, writing, stains, dirt or dust spots, mildew or mold spots, water damage, warping, bar codes, or tears. This is beautiful originsl cover to match the first press vinyl.

Thanks for looking!!!

WHY BID ON THIS ITEM?

HERE'S WHY!

ALL MY LISTINGS INCLUDE:

Vinyl Grading Policy:

• All records and jackets are visually graded unless noted otherwise. CAUTION: Please be aware that the play grade may differ from the visual grade. If you want me to play a particular song and give you an assessment of background noise, etc. Please email me. We all have records that look worn but play great and vice versa. It is not possible to play as well as visually grade each LP listed. I TRY TO GRADE CONSERVATIVELY under the guidelines on this page, which generally follow the GOLDMINE standards. Although I try to be conscientious as a grader, there is the possibility that something could slip by me. In the event an item is not as described, REST ASSURED I will always offer a money back guarantee for purchase price of the item if returned safe and secure and requested within five days of receipt.
• Mint = A mint item must be absolutely perfect. Certainly never been played if not still sealed. This would be an item where it was opened but not played maybe just to check the label variation.
• Near Mint = The record shows no obvious signs of wear. The vinyl should show no wear from playing only the slightest of paper scuffs are acceptable. The jacket should look as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink-wrap.
• Near Mint-/Very Good++ = The record or cover is clearly better than VG+ but not Near Mint. There should be some signs that the vinyl was played infrequently and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took excellent care of it. Record surfaces may show some slight signs of wear and may have light scuffs and or very minor light scratches that do not affect the listener experience at all. The label and spindle hole will be without flaws other than the lightest of spindle trails from being played only a few times if at all. The cover should be bright and sharp and will have only the very first evidence of discoloration or ring wear or creased corners. Although there may be some evidence of seam/spine wear, seam splits are not permitted for this grade. The jacket may be marked as a cut out by a drill hole, saw mark, cut corner or punch hole. I will try to list any cover flaws of significance.
• Very Good+ = This is equivalent of the VG+ grade in Goldmine. The record will show signs that the vinyl was played but taken care of. Record surfaces will show signs of wear including some light scratches/scuffs that do not significantly affect the listener experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. Spindle holes will have some wear but not be enlarged or damaged in any way. The cover will have general wear/ring wear but not to the extent that it materially impairs enjoyment of the picture cover. Slight seam splits are OK for this grade. Again I will try to list any cover flaws of significance.
• Very Good = Unless it is a rare collectible, I usually will not sell records where both the cover and vinyl are below a VG+ grade PERIOD. This grade is included since some times there may be either a cover or record that the flaws in VG+ grade above are more pronounced but the other part of the package is of a higher grade. If it is the vinyl I will play grade it to be sure that the listener can still enjoy the music.
• BID WITH CONFIDENCE! All items are FULLY GUARANTEED. If requested within five days of receipt, I will refund your full purchase price (excluding refund of shipping costs) upon return of the item if you are not satisfied, period. If you want protection related to lost or damaged shipments you must insure your winnings. I pack all records removed from the jacket, sandwiched between corrugated cardboard before insertion into the mailer box. Many times I will also use bubble wrap or a box inside a box packing method to further protect your item.
• I do not grade inner sleeves but will let you know if there are any inserts, posters, stickers or other items included with the RECORD or TAPE.
• Items that do not sell are usually not re-listed. Please contact me if interested and provide sufficient information to identify the item.

Payment and Shipping

Payment & Shipping Terms:

• All payments in US dollars only, Money orders, Cashiers Checks, Bank Checks, I NOW ACCEPT PAYPAL TOO. According to ebay policy, I can no longer accept cash by mail as a form of payment even if the buyer is using registered mail and is willing to accept the risk of loss. All non personal check acceptable payment methods get shipping within 1 business days of receipt. I TAKE PRIDE IN OUTSTANDING COMMUNICATION AND ULTRA FAST LOW COST SHIPPING (Please check my feedback). Personal checks are accepted if drawn on a US bank and buyer is willing to wait for me to ship until your check clears. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding acceptable payment methods.
• Winning Bidder must contact me in 3 days (72 hours) from receipt of my auction closing notification email to arrange payment and mailing.
• I follow the ebay non payment rules so if you have not made payment do not be surprised if you get a eBay non paying bidder notice after 10 days. I agressively work to get my final value ebay fees back if the item is not paid for within the auction terms.
• IF YOU CANNOT PAY WITHIN THE DESIGNATED TIME FRAMES PLEASE DO NOT BID!
• All winners will receive the following: Winning confirmation (within 1 day after auction end), Payment confirmation (upon its arrival), and shipping confirmation (upon its departure).



• I make best efforts to ship within 24 hours of receiving cleared payment. THOSE THAT PAY PROMPTLY AFTER AUCTION END GET EVEN FASTER SHIPPING TURNAROUND. Shipping is actual postage cost (plus $2.00 for proper packaging materials) for either priority or media mail including delivery confirmation within the United States. Insurance is optional at the buyer discretion.
• International shipping is for PRIORITY MAIL INTERNATIONAL with tracking. Shipping costs are calculated based upon actual postage (plus $2 for bubble wrap, a box and proper packing materials) to keep weight and postage costs as low as possible while properly protecting your item.
• I only ship priority airmail for international destinations and will require registered mail or global express for high dollar international shipments. I will ship FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL mail to save $$$ for low value items based upon the buyers feedback record if the buyer expressly accepts any risk of non delivery or loss as there is no shipment tracking or delivery confirm with that method. Please inquire before bidding if that is the shipping mode you desire.
• Save on shipping cost per record when I mail two or more records in one package. I do consolidate international and domestic shipments to help save postage. Please inquire for cost information.
• I DO assume that you have no problem waiting weeks for delivery if you choose DOMESTIC MEDIA MAIL. As we all know, there is no definitive delivery time frame with media mail.