FRANK ZAPPA / MOI Cruising with Ruben & The Jets RARE SVLP ORIG UK 1968 EX++ LP.

	£		101
	$		134

ONEADAYRECORDS – Serving-up a Christmas & New Year Feast of Entertainment

I would like to wish all my customers, regulars and newcomers, a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Over the Holiday Period, I am offering some interesting Christmas ‘Crackers’ – lovely albums – some rare – ENJOY!

Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£2 per extra record). All boxes sent FIRST-CLASS & TRACKED in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS with extra 7mm side protection and bubblewrap.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business. I will always keep my P&P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get. My P&P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.

FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and ‘0’ bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION

Album Title: Cruising with Ruben & The Jets

Producer(s): Frank Zappa

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Cheap Thrills; Love of My Life; How Could I Be Such a Fool; Deseri; I’m Not Satisfied; Jelly Roll Gum Drop; Anything.

Side 2: Later That Night; You Didn’t Try to Call Me; Fountain of Love; No, No, No; Anyway the Winds Blows; Stuff Up the Cracks.

Label/Format: Verve original format with matt surfaces that have a very gentle hint of texturing. All text and details as seen in the pictures.

Label Conditions: Both very clean, fresh and attractive with only a very small few light, fine and faint spindle marks. This an age-defying copy that plays superbly throughout.

Catalogue Number: SVLP 9237

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 131 grams. A very solid weight for this album.

Country of Manufacture: England

Rarity: First SVLP UK issues that had single covers, and are quite rare and seldom found in anything like top conditions. In recent years, available original Frank Zappa and Mothers of Invention albums have declined as more people are discovering this man’s work. Older fans also seeking upgrades for well worn copies of their favourites. The early originals especially did not sell well, and this particular album especially so. Most of the early original Verve classics, when they do surface, often trashed with grubby, creased and very shabby covers, and records hardly fit to even play. Few who bought these were hi-fi connoisseurs, many copies scratched and worn-out by vintage heavy-tracking mono record players. Finding these gems that still offer near perfect sound is incredibly difficult. This copy has a very impressive fresh, beautifully shiny laminated cover, and the very clean, little-used record plays little short of perfectly. Fully play-graded on an Linn LP12 Sondek, no guess-work or presumptions, this is a lovely example and rarely found as such. It could prove a massive upgrade for those seeking a copy.

NOTE: UK copies never included the prized inserts, only a tiny few American copies did for the briefest time. To make this copy extra special, because those ultra rare original inserts are fun and nice to own, I include reproductions of them as seen, they are free to the winning bidder. I have only ever seen originals once, when I was still a teenager – regrettably, I sold them many years ago, and I still do not own them myself. The search goes on.

Original Year of Release: November 1968

Matrix No: V6 5055 A-1 / V6 5055 B-1

Mothers / Stampers: 1 G / 1 G [an ultimate first pressing with very first mother and stamper codes, ‘G’ being the very first in the pressing sequence]

Musicians: Frank Zappa – low grumbles, oo-wah and lead guitar; Ray Collins – lead vocals; Roy Estrada – high weazlings, dwaedy-doop and electric bass; Jimmy Carl Black and Arthur Dyre Tripp III – lewd pulsating rhythm; Ian Underwood – piano, saxes; Don Preston – piano; Bunk Gardner – saxophones.

Brief Artist & Album Info: Largely ignored on issue, Zappa’s album of retrospective nostalgia and one of his most personal. It must have raised a few eyebrows for those around at the time who bought the earlier psych albums, as this is very different. An album that went back to the doo-wop sound of the 1950s, the music of Frank’s youth he was so proudly fond of and enjoyed in his younger days. This doo-wop sound was so faithfully reconstructed, it fooled many critics and listeners at the time to who was actually playing the music. Zappa originally decided to record this with a deliberate low-fi, scratchy sound, but decided against it. Instead, he used a compressed production to emphasise the mechanical nature of the music – it works perfectly and is still one of Frank’s greatest ever ‘sound’ albums. Ray Collins vocals rarely sounded better than on this amazing journey into the past. The Ruben parody still has elements of Mothers humour and fun, the balloon on the front cover states “is this the Mothers of Invention recording under a different name in a last ditch attempt to get their cruddy music on the radio”? – I would very much doubt whether much ever made it on the airwaves. When the ‘shock’ of this ‘retro’ album wore off, it has become a real favourite amongst Zappa fans who had initially failed to understand it. Until recently, long out-of-print with the original sound, the CD versions over-dubbed with new instrumental parts, which quite honestly were tragic. There is no better way to experience this album than original vinyl. This is a superb ultimate first UK pressing, appearing hardly played and certain suffering no abuse or wear. The record looks great and plays beautifully, I noted nothing to fault. The cover, so often aged and creased with major laminate issues, has little to fault, defying its considerable vintage and looking really lovely. A fantastic opportunity for this brilliant piece of Zappa nostalgia – it being just one of several exceptional high quality Zappa/Mothers albums I am offering over Christmas.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(+): and arguably better still, this a very impressive first issue cover. A single format with front laminate, this covers all the folds and ends on the back on three external flipbacks. The main rear panel is matt and smooth. Printed and made in England by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd, includes the plain white inner sleeve.

Cover Front: Superb artwork by Cal Schenkel is seen to near maximum advantage under very shiny, fresh and clear laminate. Even under light, there is barely a trace of dulling, the shine and freshness of the laminate is rarely seen on covers this age. Just a tiny lift near the top left corner tip (no dink), all else fully adhered. There are some fine edge creases that are rarely avoided by any laminated cover, these mostly on the spine, the right and bottom edges with barely any at all. What makes this even more exceptional, is the lack of any creasing at all away from the edges, so that intensely coloured, totally unfaded artwork looks truly amazing. There is not even a single half moon and that, as most will know, is beyond difficult to avoid. This one even challenges my own personal copy and few offered will better this.

Cover Back: The young pencil-moustashed Zappa overlooked the ‘The Story of Ruben and the Jets’ text. The main unprotected back panel is superb, and amongst the least aged or worn I have seen. For some reason, the card on these early Mothers albums seems to darken and discolours more freely than on similar covers. Any traces on this one are minimal and hardly enough to even politely remind it’s getting close to half-a-century in age. The panel uncreased or rubbed, tiny speckle on the left edge seems a natural trait of these. All three flipbacks are solid, unlifted or damaged. Their ends almost devoid of burring and grime formation on their ends. As per most, some fine laminate hairline creasing on the flipbacks, but overall, these are exceptionally neat and strong. A very impressive back to complement the quality of the front.

Top & Bottom Edges: Both very straight, smooth with full laminate retention. No chips or scuffs, both edges exceptional again.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, mostly sharp with only a little thickening to the front edge towards the bottom, this area slightly, naturally proud of the back edge in manufacture. No nicks or tears, both are guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced. The exposed front edge strip where the laminate end naturally ends short, is wider than average, and even this fragile area on the front is immaculate. The record enters on this edge.

Spine and Text: A superb spine which remains solid and straight with minimal traces of any compression, the ends are quite lightly pinched in manufacture. The surface has a couple of fine hairline creases to the left of the text, so no affect on that. All the text matter, as seen, printed in blue, is pristine with nothing to fault, also perfectly centred for maximum good looks. The surface has not darkened or aged which is more unusual, the blue text still deeply coloured with clearly no sustained exposure to sunlight.

Corners: All corners are superb again with barely a trace of tip rubbing or creasing, any evidence of dinking is smaller than minuscule, and better than excellent to near mint shape retained.

Cover Summary: An exceptional example of a genuine original Zappa rarity. These are seldom seen in this beautiful condition, this I know for a fact being a life-long Zappa fan(atic). Attractive, shiny and fresh with scant clues of age, this could prove a massive upgrade, and those needing this album will be hard-pressed to find it better.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT: only gently aged with very mild paper discolouration, this mainly near the seam adhesive area that is rarely avoided on albums this great age. A plain white unlined solid inner with minimal creasing, a little on the back top opening edge, all the other edge folds are unsplit with no repairs.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(++): arguably better, this is as close to Mint(–) as they get for me, and was highly tempted to grade as such. A fantastic visual copy that is very clean with equally fine shine and very solidly pressed. A 1G/1G ultimate first pressing with minimal plays on all the evidence with any surface traces very few, ultra light and faint as seen critically under bright light. No penetrating stylus scratches, viewed in average room light, barely anything even registers, this is a truly exceptional record – how many first issues will even still exist like this? This sold in such tiny numbers, it is a fact. Not only does it look great, it plays the same, that being even more important. Visually a super record that should please most-all collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing equipment, all listed further down.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: Few could have predicted the fourth Mothers of Invention record, the final original album they made on Verve, would have sounded like this. But clues for Zappa’s fondness of ‘Greasy Fifties Love Songs’ were on Freak Out! with a few of these songs included on that classic debut, albeit different versions. This rare original plays even above it’s high visual grading with practically nothing to fault. Offering strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear – sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any surface sounds barely even registered and this is an exceptional clean pressing with no tracking*, or pressing issues. The audio quality and detail, even the pace and rhythm of original vinyl will never be bettered for this album, this is how Zappa wanted it to sound, no digital tweaking, remixing or mastering is required, this is perfection and no enhancements are needed – only a good quality turntable and system to enjoy it on. Zappa produces an immaculate parody of the music from his younger days with astonishing authenticity, proving again what a versatile band the early Mothers were. Few available copies will outperform this ultimate first pressing I feel sure. Both channels are clean and sharp, I am certain this record has been played very lightly and has been generally well stored and carefully handled, almost certainly in a non-smoking environment. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record, this gave the reference sound I always strive for – but so incredibly hard to find. With it’s unique single cover, repro inserts and beautiful pulsating stereo sound, it’s totally indispensable, a rare opportunity – SNAT! – bop bop bah bop bop bah – never sounded better. It will prove immensely difficult to find better and merits my highest possible recommendation.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. 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 as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade - 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 collector – 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 it’s 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 programs. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. 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, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 805 Nautilus (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable) with REL subwoofer. All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is minuscule in over 14­ years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE – they offer next-to-no-protection, and should be banned, no ‘professional’ should consider using them in my opinion. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.