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King Crimson : Larks' Tongues In Aspic A-2U / B-2U 1973 Pink Rim Island Label

This very early pressing on the Island label plays with phenomenal audio on both sides.  Having played it in full I can confirm there is no interference and only a small number of very minor dust ticks/ticks.  As detailed below these hardly deserve a mention as they are so quiet.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is stunning and in my opinion the record could not play with any greater precision and easily qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE album i.e. no need to purchase another as you could not improve upon this audio!  The vinyl is visually very impressive also with no marks or scratches.

The cover is in excellent condition with very little wear and the original Island inner has also been preserved very well.

I believe this to be a second pressing although many might say it is a first press variation.  It still has the A2U/B2U first press matrix but the back cover has no publishing credits or London address beneath the Island logo.  The logo here is fully coloured brown and has 'Printed in England by Robor Limited' in the lower right corner.  This version had no lyric inner by the way just the Island inner which as you can see is included.

ILPS 9230 // A - 2U / B - 2U // PT 1 (SARK etched) / HG (not 11G as discogs says!)

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Ex+

The labels are Ex+

The original Island inner is Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still holds a very strong glossy sheen with no scratches.  All I can detect under a strong light are some of the usual faint sleeve removal hairlines that obviously have no impact on the audio.  The pink rimmed Island labels have no marking or writing just some spindle wear.

Play grading

The percussive opening section on 'Larks' Tongues In Aspic, Part One' plays with amazing clarity that is the first thing that needs to be said.  There is barely any static on the intro and from then on it just gets better and better.  This is of course such a gentle opening and yet there is just no intrusion on the audio.  There are 3/4 barely audible ticks just prior to the second section but certainly not intrusive.  The first heavy section is 'as new' and the violin piece that follows is close to perfect with just 3/4 very quiet static ticks.  From then on it plays to the highest standard possible with no interference - the almost 'improv' sounding instrumental plays with stunning precision and the super quiet violin section then plays with sensational clarity - words fail me!  Honestly the clarity of sound is just incredible, there is no background static and with just one very light tick it couldn't really play any better.  The closing section is equally as strong and overall I do believe Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio.

'Book Of Saturday' more than keeps up this fine start and plays with exceptional quality from start to finish.  Wetton's vocals are crystal clear and the instrumental sections have no 'background' either.  This is Mint without doubt.

The opening instrumental on 'Exiles' plays to a standard that you only find on a rarely played vinyl and one that has been so well preserved also.  With only a couple of very light ticks at the start the playback is STUNNING and this high end quality continues into the first vocal and beyond.  Once again I cannot believe what I am listening to here!  No ticks, clicks, pops or static the audio is so clean and precise and the final instrumental has no intrusion either.  I will grade as Mint- although the minus could be viewed as a little harsh!

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The intro on 'Easy Money' is faultless and the opening vocal section also plays with outstanding clarity.  The mid instrumental has 3/4 very brief and very quiet static moments but again they are not intrusive - so quiet they hardly need a mention!  Fripp's extended guitar work 'as new' and the final vocal is perfect.  Another Mint- track.

The very quiet intro on 'The Talking Drum' provides further evidence of a vinyl so well cared for.  In essence there is no interference, just a handful of insignificant mega light ticks.  As the bass comes in there is no let up in quality and Cross' violin work is just spectacular!  The audio is again so clean and during this entire instrumental section there is no intrusion of any kind.  Wetton's bass adds so much depth to the track and the closing section that build and builds could not play with any greater power or depth either.  Mint-

The 'heavy' opening section on 'Larks' Tongues In Aspic, Part Two' plays with impeccable quality and this standard is kept up as it progresses.  The clarity and depth of the audio through every instrumental section is so strong and from the first note to the last there is just no intrusion on the audio.  The very quiet fade out and 'voice' right at the end are just as 'clean' also.  This is Mint in every way, no need for a minus here.

In summary this very early pressing plays to a fantastic standard with...no interference.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is second to none and I cannot praise it highly enough.  As always I played the album in full and the sonic quality is just incredible.  Remarkable in a way because you can tell it has been played a few times judging by the spindle wear but only on high end equipment no doubt.  And handled very carefully!  A FINAL UPGRADE pressing without doubt, a STUNNING listen!

The Cover & Island Inner Sleeve

The cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The edges have only light rubbing and the thin pinched spine is in great shape with just one faint rub on the edge and minimal wear on the corners.  The right hand corners have very little wear and the opening edge has no handling wear either.  The front cover is in so clean when you consider how white it is and has only 3/4 minor creases next to the spine, a small corner crease top left and a small number of tiny 'rubs' around the edges.  The back cover is just as impressive with only a couple of very small faint marks near the bottom edge and a minor crease/indent top right.  A fine example overall.

The original blue poly-lined Island inner is in lovely condition with no side splits or tears, only very minimal fading around the edges and very little creasing.  The catalogue number is written in one corner though.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

ILPS 9230 // A - 2U / B - 2U // PT 1 (SARK etched) / HG (not 11G as discogs says!)

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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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!