MARCUS - SAME Orig United Artists UA-LA668-G '76 LP US HARD ROCK EX rare

	£		15
	$		20

MARCUS - SAME, US UNITED ARTISTS UA-LA688-G. 1976.

ORIGINAL US ISSUE.

Superb US Hard Rock...one of the most obscure, yet incredible metal releases ever was the 1976 debut and solitary LP by Detroit's MARCUS...full of great songs/music and some fabulous guitarwork.

I saw this extensive review which sums it up pretty well:

"Possibly one of the most obscure, yet incredible metal/hard rock releases ever was the 1976 debut and solitary LP by Detroit's MARCUS. The packaging of the LP is very deceptive and this, plus the fact that it received little promotion were probably the chief reasons is so sparsely known. With a cover featuring lead singer Marcus Malone decked out in a Rick James-type outfit, coupled with a release during the formation of the disco era, it was no wonder that this platter often ended up filed in record stores' "soul or r&b" sections! However, the careful metal connoisseur, upon looking at the back of the jacket, can spy a couple things that make him/her take note. The first eye-opener is the band's line-up: it featured 3 lead guitarists, Gene Bloch, Randall David and Jack Weber. Not many disco or soul bands feature triple axeters, now do they!? Secondly, a sharp metaller would instantly recognize the bass player on most cuts, Tim Bogert (a veteran of countless heavy units like Cactus, Vanilla Fudge & others). With all of this, though, even the most astute hard rock fanatic would have no idea of how monumental the record is that awaits within this subtle cover!
Opening with a mellow keyboard intro, MARCUS erupts into Side One and "Black Magic." Using a riff similar to Purple's "Space Truckin'" but in no way a copy, it's immediate to the listener that they have a powerhouse on their hands! Bloch, David and Weber all stay close enough to the main rhythm to be tight, but each layer casual licks and fills over the other to become the ultimate 3-way attack team. Malone's vocals are some of the most unique ever, calling to mind a great combination of Steven Tyler and old Glen Hughes. What a song, but it's just the beginning.
Next up is "Salmon Ball," with it's heavy, funk-laden rhythm and blatantly sexual lyrics, uttered in a leering yet controlled tone by Marcus M. This 6 1/2 minute epic gradually builds until it turns into an all-out full-speed guitar assault, making any of the well-known guitar classics look like child's play! Side One continues briefly with the mellow "Kelly," highlighting Malone's emotional vocal prowess before concluding with the devastating 7 minute "Gypsy Fever." Again, funk influenced, but this time with a decided early Priest-ish feel as well, this chunk of metallic class sizzles with power. The main guitar solo is very reminiscent of Gary Moore. Moving to Side Two, the captivated listener can only wonder what will be next! The answer to their question is "Pillow Stars," yet another 6 minute epic filled with complicated rhythms, incredible 3-part guitar sections and dazzling vocals. Perhaps the strangest thing about this cut is that it's opening is quite similar to that of Boston's"Foreplay/Long Time," but far more complex and way better.
Continuing the side is "High School Babies," a straight-ahead, heavy funk scorcher calling to mind the best days of Aerosmith. Malone's gritty vocals are perfect and the guitar interplay between Bloch, David and Weber is masterful.
With "Dream Wheel," the band explores their mellower side, once again. An example of stellar songwriting ability, this cut could've garnered considerable airplay with proper promotion, yet it remains heavy enough to fit the album's flow. What in the hell was United Artists doing as a label! Sleeping at the switch on this one, that's for sure! You can talk about classic songs for hours, but very few you'll mention are in the league with the work of art that concludes this brilliant LP. Clocking in at just under 7 minutes, "Rise Unto Falcon" is simply one of the most beautiful and haunting, yet totally heavy metal songs ever committed to vinyl. Opening with a gentle acoustic section, it is a vehicle for Malone's vocals which are, at once, drainingly emotional and heroically powerful. Then, the song begins to escalate and eventually reaches a climatic crescendo of such majestic scope that it is nearly classical in nature. The guitar work here is so intricate, heavy and perfectly done that it's guaranteed to give the most icy-veined cynic goose bumps. Incredible!
I can't say enough about MARCUS' only LP, except if you don't have it, you must. This album is quite difficult to find, but it's one that EVERY metal and hard rock fan should go to the ends of the earth in search of."

Need I say more! Now a rare and sought after LP.

Cover is generally EX- but has a couple of knocks on the rear opening, there are initials on one label, small name on the other label. Record is quite nice.

Condition is VG+/EX (cover/record), cover has slight wear & a cut corner.

POSTAGE:

If you win more than one item please wait for your invoice for the correct combined postage amount.

UK: £4 for the first 2 or 3 single LPs under 1Kg (signed for add £1.20), then £6 for 1 to 2 Kg with a value up to £50, £8 for weights 1 to 2Kg with a value up to £100.

For 2 to 5 Kg prices range from £7 for values up to £50, £9 for values up to £100, £10 for values of £250.

For urgent/high value items, special delivery is reasonable for weights up to 2Kg, cost is £12 for values up to £500.

CDs & 7" Singles are £1.35 for the first then 50p each after. Thicker CD Box Sets are the same as LPs due to the size/weight.

For items outside of the UK, Royal Mail now use a pricing scale which increases for every 250g instead of 100g previously.

EUROPE: 6.50 GBP for the 1st LP (under 500g), then additional single LPs are 2 GBP each up to 5 or 6 LPs in total (under 2Kg).

2LP sets: 8.50 GBP, additional LPs are 2 GBP.

1st CD/Single is 4.50 GBP then additional CDs/Singles are 1.50 GBP each.

For larger orders over 6 LPs, it is now cheaper to send altogether in one package by courier rather than separate packages but depends on the destination.

Generally the basic cost for 7+ LPs (over 2Kg, under 10Kg) to most EU destinations is around 25 GBP plus any extra for insurance (50 GBP of insurance is inclusive, higher insurance works out at 1 GBP extra for every 20 GBP of value).

REST OF WORLD: 9 GBP for the 1st LP (under 500g), then additional single LPs are 3 GBP each up to 6 LPs in total (under 2Kg).

2LP sets: 12 GBP, additional LPs are 3 GBP each.

1st CD/Single is 5.50 GBP then additional CDs/Singles are 2 GBP each.

For larger orders over 6 LPs, for many countries, it is now cheaper to send altogether in one package by courier rather than separate packages but depends on the destination and weight.

Surface mail is available on request for cheap LPs only, to the Rest of the World but delivery times are 6 to 8 weeks minimum!

Insurance/Registered Mail outside the UK is extra: 5 GBP for values up to 50 GBP, 8 GBP for values over 50 GBP.

NOTE: Ebay now levy an extra 8% charge on all postage amounts...so please realise the actual postage cost is: the actual cost of shipping + the ebay 8% charge + paypal fee + other smaller costs such as petrol, cost of mailers etc where appropriate...

PAYMENT:

PERSONAL CHEQUES IN UK STERLING/ PAYPAL.

GRADINGS:

I DO TRY TO PLAY/TEST GRADE ALL THE LPs I SELL.

MINT:

RECORD: PERFECT....AS NEW CONDITION, SO NO DETEORIATION IN THE SOUND QUALITY…..bear in mind that not all ‘new’ LPs are Mint because of the quality of the pressing etc....also SEALED/UNPLAYED LPs are sold as is.....

COVER: AS NEW CONDITION WITH NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS.......except maybe a deletion hole/cutout on a SEALED LP.

M- :

RECORD: SLIGHTY WORSE THAN M, LP may have several surface marks due to removal from it's sleeve etc....but certainly NO audible scratches....LP may have the occasional light crackle/hiss...but still in great condition.

COVER: SHOWS SIGNS OF BEING HANDLED WITH SLIGHT CREASING/WEAR...or may be a M cover with a very slight split seam or very slight showing of ring wear or a very slight sticker tear, but not all of these together.

EX:

RECORD: MOST REGUARLY PLAYED LPs KEPT WITH CARE FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY....LP may play with more hiss/crackle but not louder than the music......sometimes it may be a M or M- LP with one slight audible mark or a very slight edge warp but not affecting it.

COVER: SLIGHTLY MORE WEAR/CREASING/BENDING even some slight ring wear.....or may be a M or M- cover with a split seam(s) and minor sticker tears, but still nice.

VG+ :

RECORD: LP PLAYS WITH MORE NOISE DUE TO EITHER DIRT OR SLIGHTLY STRONGER SURFACE MARKS BUT STILL IS IN A VERY LISTENABLE CONDITION.....or it may be an LP which plays say M- but has one or a few audible marks/slight warp etc.....but still no skips/jumps.

COVER: HAS QUITE A LOT OF CEASING/BENDING often with FADING/RING WEAR/ STICKER TEARS/TEARS....or may be an EX cover with a split seam(s), but still acceptable.

VG:

RECORD: THE SOUND QUALITY OF THE LP IS AFFECTED BY SURFACE MARKS/ AUDIBLE MARKS or DIRT etc....but still plays through and is still in quite a REASONABLE condition.....it may be an LP which plays EX but has audible marks.....

COVER: PLENTY OF CREASING/BENDING/FADING/RING WEAR but still in one piece.

G: LP still plays through but is very noisy due to scratches/dirt etc....but still not totally trashed!!!

COVER: AS VG BUT TORN and starting to fall apart.

F/P: LP is trashed...for ornament purposes only...

+/-: Slightly better/worse than stated.