Deep Purple : In Rock A2 / B1 1st Press 'No EMI'

This classic first pressing plays with fantastic audio and very little 'background'.  The clarity, power and depth is so impressive and as always I have played every track in full so as to provide a comprehensive grading.  The laminated cover has to be 'cleanest' I have seen in a very long time and the original inner has only minor wear.

It is said there was an A1/B1 matrix but I have never seen one!  Rumour has it it was changed prior to the release date and only a very small number of them made it to market.  1 in 20 supposedly have this matrix but I think the ratio is far greater than that!  I must have seen at least 50 over the last 3/4 years and have never seen an A1/B1!  As per the first pressings there is no EMI logo on the labels.

SHVL 777 // A - 2 / B - 1 // LG 1 / GAD 1 4

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Track 1 Near Mint- & intro Ex+ / T2 has one brief Ex- section)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The gatefold is Near Mint

The labels are Mint

The original inner is VG+

It does not get much better than this!  The vinyl has an immaculate glossy sheen and there are no marks or scratches.  All I can detect under a bright light are a relatively small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines and they of course have no affect on the stunning audio.  There are only a couple of barely visible spindle traces on S1 and nothing on S2 so this is definitely a record that has not been played very much.  The run out grooves and Harvest labels are also beautifully clean.  A fantastic example!

Play grading  

The 'high powered' intro on 'Speed King' plays with stunning definition and no distortion and then the quiet organ section has only very minimal light static and just the one static click.  From then on this classic 'rocks' out loud and true with no interference aside from one light click and a couple of insignificant ticks.  There is a minor hint of static during the second organ section but it is so quiet and totally non-intrusive.  Of course the bass is so strong on this track and it adds so much to the overall 'sound'.  A fine version which is Ex+ on the intro and Near Mint- for the remainder.

'Bloodsucker' is of a very similar standard.  The only intrusion, if you can call it that, are 5/6 light ticks during the third verse and only one of them is what I would call obvious.  They are to a certain extent 'lost' in the power of the music and I am pleased to say the rest of the track plays with superb clarity and depth.  An example of the clarity is on the fade out which plays with great precision i.e. no 'background'.  This is Near Mint with a brief Ex- section.

The quiet intro on the classic 'Child In Time' has barely any static and the playback really is so impressive.  The first vocal is stunning and there is barely any static, I cannot overstate how well it plays.  As it builds there is no denying the power and depth of the audio.  The percussive section leading into Blackmore's solo is absolutely outstanding and rarely have I heard such dynamic 'high octane' quality.  What a listen!  This entire instrumental piece is STUNNING and the crescendo end section is 'as new' with no interference or distortion whatsoever.  The following organ section also plays beautifully and the vocal again has no 'background' apart from a handful of barely audible dust ticks that you will always find with vinyl.  As the 'vocal' volume increases again you can easily turn it up to maximum without fear of distortion and the same applies to the final crescendo section.  Wow!  This is without doubt one of the strongest versions of this classic that I have ever had the pleasure in listening to and Near Mint is a fair appraisal although the vast majority is even better than that!  Not one click or pop - there is no interference at all!  A wonderful version.

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'Flight Of The Rat' is superb from the very first groove and continues in the same precise way.  As is common with the first pressings the 'B1' side appears to play with a greater clarity and especially on a vinyl that has been as well preserved as this one.  It is very obvious on this track - the audio definition is sublime.  It plays so clearly with no 'muddiness' to the sound whatsoever.  The mid instrumental section is a prime example of that and 'as new' is no exaggeration.  There are a couple of minor static ticks following the brief moment of 'silence' and from that point on the audio is 'high end' to say the least.  The drum solo bringing it to a close plays perfectly, very much like the rest of the track!  This is a truly breathtaking version that easily qualifies as Mint- it is that good.

'Into The Fire' has one 'tick' on the intro but you could easily miss it and apart from that has no 'background'.  A very 'clean' start.  As the vocal begins the clarity and power is again exceptional and continues in the same way.  It plays with wonderful power and depth from start to finish and is worthy of a Near Mint grade for sure.

The percussive intro on 'Living Wreck' is faultless and thereafter plays to the same exacting standard.  With only a couple of inconsequential ticks this plays with great quality and...no clicks or pops.  I will grade as Near Mint although I am sure many would grade higher if they listened to it!  In saying that the closing instrumental is Mint it could not play any better.

The 'high octane' intro on 'Hard Lovin' Man' plays perfectly with only a couple of dust ticks in the following quieter section.  As the tempo increases the audio is again so powerful and 'clean' and from start to finish it does not disappoint.  As Lord's organ section 'kicks in' - all I can say is - LOUD!  This track plays so well and has only a minimal amount of inner groove distortion which is in no way intrusive.  As always I have played every second and this is unquestionably a stunning version.  The final verse is faultless and Blackmore's closing section plays superbly!  A fantastic Near Mint version I have no hesitation in saying and again that may even be under-selling it!

In summary this first pressing plays with wonderful power and clarity and barely any interference.  It is one of the strongest version I have heard and the vast majority plays with near mint / mint quality.  One look at the stunning visual quality of the vinyl gives you idea of things to come!  A very impressive 'Purple' classic.

The Gatefold

The laminated G & L cover is in superb order with very little shelf wear.  The edges have no rubbing and the spine has only three rubs on the lower third and remains 100% legible.  The corners have barely any wear, just a small amount on the bottom right ones and the opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The front cover is 'as new' basically with no marking and the back cover is just as good - there is no laminate splitting or lifting anywhere.  The inside of the gatefold is pristine.  This first press cover is rarely seen in such fantastic condition and it has clearly been so well looked after down the years.

Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined Harvest inner is in very good condition and has one 6cm side split from one top corner, some age related marking and a little creasing.

The Labels

The yellow/green Harvest with no EMI logo are stunning!  With only a couple of barely visible spindle traces they could hardly look any cleaner.  There are no marks etc.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

SHVL 777 // A - 2 / B - 1 // LG 1 / GAD 1 4

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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