KRAFTWERK Scarce UK N/M 72 Vertigo + Orig Spiral Cover.

	£		39
	$		52

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Album Title: Kraftwerk.

Producer(s): Conny Plank; Ralf Hütter; Florian Schneider.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Ruckzuck; Stratovarius.

Side 2: Megaherz; Vim Himmel Hoch.

Side 3: Klingklang; Atem.

Side 4: Strom; Spule; Wellenlange; Harmonika.

Label/Format: Vertigo – Spaceship format.

Label Conditions: Both immaculate: ultra clean, fresh and attractive with barely a spindle mark to be seen. This came from an immaculate collection of hardly played records.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Cat Number: Records: 6499 268/69 Cover: 6641 077.

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 these Record: 126 / 137 grams. Good average weights for this label and era.

Rarity & Info: Originally issued in Germany as two separate single albums, being their first and second. In the UK it was issued originally as a double set on the Vertigo Spiral label. Only pressed in small numbers for a brief time and it failed to sell at all well. Outside Germany, this pioneering and highly influential band were little known at this time and this immensely scarce double Vertigo set has always been elusive. When the Swirl label was replaced by the Spaceship format, this album was then repressed with a new catalogue number and then included a matt-finished cover. Now as can be seen from my ‘Cat Number’ para above, this unusual example includes the original Spiral format/number cover that is laminated front and back along with the new Spaceship pressed records. Both records still only include the original Spiral number matrixes that are very similar to the Swirl label copy I sold last year. This double set is guaranteed as purchased by the one-and-only previous owner and NOT swapped around. Clearly Vertigo over-subscribed on the number of covers made for the initial run and simply used up a few that remained and put the initial repressed Spaceship label record inside until they ran out. This was not so unusual for new label designs or takeovers, Atlantic for example, often covered over the original Cat. No. with a sticker to use over-subscribed first printed covers to save money (I suppose). These 6641 077 numbered, laminated covers are rare, make no mistake. This is only the second one I have ever seen, the first being that Spiral copy sold last year. Very few were made and even less sold, so although this is not a first press Spiral copy, it is indeed one of the earliest Spaceships and including a superb condition original laminated cover. The records are just the same except the labels and both, typically from this collection, were only played once or twice most. A superb example of this groundbreaking double album that should delight Krautrock fans still missing this scarce issue.

Original Year of Release: 1970 in Germany but this was not issued in the UK until late in 1972, initially on the Spiral label in tiny numbers, then subsequently repressed on the more familiar spaceship label, mostly with a matt cover.

Matrix Nos: 6499268 1Y // 1 420 6 1 3 / 6499268 2Y // 2 420 05 1 1 5 / 6499269 1Y // 1 420 1 1 3 / 6499269 2Y // 2 420 1 3 2

So What is Krautrock and its Rarity?: ‘Krautrock’ was an affectionate term given to a new wave of young German bands in the late 1960s and early 70s. Before the emergence of these pioneering experimental rock and electronic artists, the German music scene was a real mess of sugary pop music. Out of this fog of a musical mire, a very new sound emerged as radical and as daring as anything ever heard. Whereas in the UK, rock music was very much blues or psych-based, but these young long-haired, pioneering German musicians played music that was very different. They opened new musical horizons and boundaries into the use of sound as entertainment. Several were classically trained musicians (Can) – some could barely play an instrument at all (Kluster). Far too weird and experimental for most, many were deep into avant garde territory, but this German underground scene was admired by many and loved by a small number of record buyers of the time. The sounds they created were often challenging and difficult, but unique and were highly influential for the development of music. Some used conventional instruments, some delved into electronics and some used unconventional devices to form sound (Faust). A few became successful even outside Germany with the odd hit single or two (Kraftwerk and Can), but some did not compromise and never sort commercial success (Faust, Neu). Although there were others, the best-known of the early experimental Krautrock bands were: Kraftwerk, Can, Faust, Amon Duul I and II, Neu, Popul Vuh, Guru Guru, Kluster and Tangerine Dream. All are worth checking out – they made some of the most groundbreaking music in rock and their importance is beyond any dispute. In terms of rarity, these early albums are never easy to find especially in top conditions, they sold in relatively small numbers and are seldom seen or offered, especially in high grading conditions.

Musicians: Ralf Hütter – organ, tubon; Florian Schneider – flute, violin, electric percussion; Andreas Hohmann – drums; Klaus Dinger – drums.

Brief Info: One of the most groundbreaking double albums ever issued within the underground rock scene. These two records were initially issued in their native Germany as single albums, these being their first and second proper releases. Not issued until late 1972 in the UK as a double combined album as probably deemed too uncommercial. It very briefly appeared on the very ‘progressive’ Vertigo Spiral label as a double album set with a different cover and then repressed on the spaceship format. Initial Swirl copies included a laminated cover but most-all Spaceships had the new reprinted matt version with the new number. This unusual copy still included the Spiral laminated sleeve. Without doubt, Kraftwerk are one of the most pioneering bands in this history of ‘progressive’ music. After making one album with The Organisation, Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider formed Kraftwerk and their early music was little short of remarkable. Very experimental, compelling with the emphasis on supreme sound and orginality, no-one else really sounded quite like them. Largely ignored until the surprise success of their ‘Autobahn’ album, their early works sold in small numbers. Purchased by the curious and musically more adventurous, these pioneering works are still very elusive and seldom found. With few tracks, these early longer works still sound as fresh and daring as they did when first issued. This is connoisseur quality Krautrock before their sound developed and commercialised into more ‘techno’ music that become very popular. Their influence was vast and their music development and sound is still highly respected today – David Bowie is a big name admirer and his ‘Berlin’ trilogy albums of the 1970s was based around the ‘Krautrock’ sound. For the connoisseurs, it’s their early pioneering works that are the most appreciated. Many will know the tracks ‘Ruckzuck’ and ‘Klingklang’ but for me the best here is the very intense ‘Vom Himmel Hoch’. This sounds like an electronic air-raid with eerie bombers buzzing across the speakers and then delivering their cargo with massive explosions. I can strongly recommend the DVD ‘History of Kraftwerk’ that shows a video of this song to maximum effect. This DVD covers all the early pioneering Krautrock bands from their very beginning and how they developed the modern sound of electronic music - it’s truly essential. For fans of this captivating style of music, few compare to ‘Kraftwerk’. Conditionwise, this is a beauty and it looks hardly played with two near immaculate records and the cover little distance behind. With the very rare Spiral copies commanding huge prices – due to the very collectable label format and scarceness – this double set may fit the bill for those wanting the records for the music. That said, the original Spiral laminated cover is in-itself rare and will seldom be found better. It could indeed prove to be a huge upgrade for anyone who owns the Swirl original. Overall, this is one of the best examples I have yet seen and this ‘hybrid’ version justifies my highest recommendation.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(++): and that hardly does this one full justice. This is original and much rarer UK laminated front and back version with the original 6641077 Catalogue Number, the inside is matt finished. All the closed edges are laminate protected but only the top edges sees the laminate go inside the gatefold. This was printed and made in England and has totally different artwork to the German single album versions. To reitterate again: most-all of the Spaceship repressings had a fully matt-finished version of this cover, the laminate was dropped. This copy clearly used up one of the left-over original covers prior to being reprinted with the new number.

Lamination – Front & Back: Rarely seen laminated of course, practically all spaceship repressings (although still early), are matt finished and highly wear-prone. The laminate on this copy is very fresh, clear and shiny and practically avoiding any friction rubs or dulling. Another bonus is the total adhesion, this has no lifting of blisters at all and the difference this makes on a dark cover is immense. Creasing is a major factor on such a dark cover as well, so glad to state this has barely any at all, even fine edge types have practically been avoided. Any surface marks or record impression are very few and slight indeed and finding this original, first-made ‘Spiral’ cover better will prove immensely difficult.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Barely any wear at all. Just a small mark near the top right corner and to a lesser extent, directly opposite. Minus this minor blemish – the only one of small note on the entire cover – this would have received my highest Mint(-) grading.

Top Edges: Unworn with full laminate cover and as smooth as when issued, not even a single scuff to the fingertip.

Bottom Edges: As above.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, both very sharp with no wear, feathering or trimming. Records entered on each edge, both are open.

Spine and Text: Practically as made and in nigh-on unbeatable condition: very solid, straight with no compression. Folded dead square which is often not the case, but when the edges all meet flush, it again makes a big difference to neatness for the more discerning collector. All text is unworn under the perfectly solid and unpeeled laminate that has not even cracked. Truly, this spine’s surface is again as smooth as when issued.

Corners: All corners in superb condition with minimal traces of any tip rubbing. The spine pair are immaculate with perfect definition that will rarely be seen or matched these days. The right four are little short of being the same.

Cover Summary: A fantastic all round example of this very rare original format Spiral cover, one that will prove very difficult to find much better. With so little traces of any wear, it will prove incredibly hard to find better and it should please most-all collectors. I suggest again, this indeed could prove a substantial upgrade for owners of the Spiral records.

The Inner Sleeves: Both EXCELLENT(+): and this being somewhat harsh. The only minor issue is light age discolour and little else, so in terms of real wear, barely any at all. These are Polydor-style lined inners, both are guaranteed the two that came with the record. The original owner kept ALL original inners with the item as purchased with NO exceptions. These are very close to a mirror-image pair with all text the same bar a 25 on one and a 23 on the other. The only visible difference in style is one has angle-cut bottom corners, the others are straight cut. These have immaculate crisp window circles and neat intact linings, one has a little crinkle. All edges secure with no repairs and barely any creasing at all.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(++) to MINT(-): with any surface marks or fine blemishes few, faint and very light. None at all sound and finding these four sides much cleaner, shinier or less used will prove immensely difficult. An amazing visual pair that are super clean with impressive lustre, intense black and solidly pressed. Visually I can never imagine a much better pair that include those Swirl matrixes.

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 B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: These records play up to their high visual grading with very little to fault. Very strong sound with all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is astonishing with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. A genuine high fidelity recording that will make any system excel. Any surface sounds are minimal indeed, but such is the quietness of the some passages, the odd minor crackle trace or sporadic click is impossible to avoid. The first three sides are close to perfect with just the odd one-off rev pressing crackle noted on side four a small few times. Overall both are exceptional clean pressings for a very difficult album that carries incredible details and sounds. For utmost enjoyment of this complex double set, pressing quality has to be up to classical standard and for most-all, it is. This album has some lengthy quiet segments, some almost silent at times, the odd minor unwanted sound is near unavoidable from the vinyl format – it will take something extraordinary just to match let alone better this significantly. Given the year of issue, around the oil crisis time where many record pressing quality suffered, this has not been affected and little spoiled my pleasure play-grading this groundbreaking set. Although not a Swirl copy, this is pretty much the same the labels (and inners) apart. This without any doubt, has hardly been played and clearly well stored and carefully handled. A pioneering classic of the German underground scene, it’s importance in the history of ‘progressive’ and electronic music cannot be overstated. Play this at volume with confidence and hear the full impact of this audio delight. This is not commercial Kraftwerk, this is experimental underground music from two masters of the art. They set standards in sound technology and audio quality that still astonishing today. Pre-Autobahn experimental Kraftwerk at their absolute best. With the few Spiral copies that surface commanding huge prices, this is a ‘compromise’ copy (but still very scarce like this) that should delight collectors who want the music rather than label investment.

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 - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, 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 its 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 programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. 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 Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with QED Silver terminated cable). 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.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or prompt payment is a problem, please do not bid.

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 and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap 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 less than one in two thousand based on over 7,000+ items sold in nearly 10 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. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 3 or 4 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. 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). I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included here and on ALL of my adverts. Details below:

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, 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 and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied. If you cannot pay, DO NOT BID.

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.

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

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

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£46 maximum]) = £10. (Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £3 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 [£46 maximum]) = £14. Add £4 per extra LP. (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: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, 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’.