Marillion : Fugazi A1/B4 1st Press

This album plays with stunning clarity with not one single click or pop.  It is a FINAL UPGRADE ARCHIVE pressing and the clarity is immaculate, I have  never heard better.  The gatefold is also in great order as is the original inner.

EMC 2400851 // A - 1U / B - 4U

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The cover is Near Mint-

The inner sleeve is Ex+

The labels are Mint-

 Visual grading

  This is visually stunning and has a beautiful jet black glossy sheen.  In fact it looks 'as new' with no hairlines, scratches or marks and there is very little spindle wear also.  The S1 label has only 3/4 very faint spindle traces and S2 just a little more.  The labels and run out grooves are supremely clean also.  This record has a fantastic visual quality with audio to match.

Play grading

The intro on 'Assassing' plays with absolute perfection as there is just no 'background' of any kind, quite simply a sensational start.  I am delighted to say fantastic quality is prevalent throughout the entire track and it is no exaggeration to say the entire track plays 'as new'.  As my regular customers know I do not over-grade, it is not in my interests to do so, and this is Mint- from beginning to end.  The depth and clarity of the audio is 'high end' and is hardly ever found on a record that is now 35 years old!

'Punch And Judy' plays to the same immaculate standard and again there is not even a dust tick let alone anything more.  This is why we listen to vinyl, the warmth and depth cannot be replicated by any other medium.

The intro on 'Jigsaw' has to be heard to be believed!  There is no 'background' of any kind and as any Marillo will know (!) this is very rare as it is such a quiet opening.  This quality is evident throughout and every quiet section plays to a Mint standard and for now I am dispensing with the minus!  Each chorus plays with stunning precision and power and the emotive guitar solo is so strong and has no distortion.  To the end the clarity is exceptional with only a handful of quiet dust ticks and I do mean mega quiet!  They are barely audible and it's what you find on new vinyl not just one of this age.  This is FINAL UPGRADE audio without question and I have never heard this classic track play with such immaculate clarity.

'Emerald Lies' ends the side with stunning audio once more.  From start to finish the clarity could not be improved upon but as is common with this track there is a little distortion towards the end.  It is in no way intrusive and it still plays with impeccable quality.

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The slow quiet build up on 'She Chameleon' is again stunning, there is no other word for it!  With only a couple of the quietest dust ticks imaginable this is a Mint intro without question and it continues to play in the same immaculate way.  It is difficult not to repeat myself as every track thus far is of the same wonderful standard with no interference whatsoever and this track can also be added to that list!  The extended fade out is a prime example of that and again, not even a single dust tick.

'Incubus' you will not be surprised to hear is 'as new' from the first groove to the last and this is all the more impressive as there are a number of quiet sections here.  The incredibly quiet and emotive 'You can't brush me under the carpet...' section is so 'clean' and quite simply plays as it did back in '84.  There are no dust ticks, clicks or pops and obviously no static or crackle and this is again audio of the highest calibre.  The guitar solo is so powerful and there is no distortion and that applies to the end section also.  Rarely will you hear it play with such definition, it is 'as new' and provides a stunning end to this classic track.

The intro on 'Fugazi' is again sublime and has no 'background'.  Wow this record just keep on giving!  If you didn't know better you would think you were listening to a CD such is the clarity but without the depth and warmth that vinyl offers of course.  The audio continues to play with impeccable quality although (shock horror!) I did hear one faint 'tick' prior to the final section.  From then on it plays with superb power and clarity but as is always the case there is a little distortion on the 'Where are the prophets' end section.  This is unavoidable and is on every vinyl copy.  The fade out plays perfectly and with no 'background' at all.  A stunning end to a Mint- album.

In summary this is a FINAL UPGRADE ARCHIVE pressing without question. This is the finest example of this album that I have heard and whilst the quality of the production is often criticised the playback is nonetheless of a standard that is so rarely heard today.  The sonic quality could not be any better and the clarity is just exceptional.  The gatefold is also very impressive as is the original black inner. 

The Cover

Not only is the vinyl in stunning condition but the gatefold is also and at first glance it looks 'as new'.  Only on closer inspection can you find a couple of minor imperfections.  Three of the edges are perfect and only the bottom edge of the back cover has a small amount of rubbing near the corner.  The wide spine only has a couple of mega small 'rubs' but is otherwise in great shape and the opening edge has no handling wear whatsoever.  There is only a little corner wear lower left on the back cover.  The front cover and back covers are supremely clean with no marking and the inside of the gatefold is immaculate.  A very impressive cover overall and it would be difficult to find a better one.

Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined die-cut inner sleeve is in excellent condition with no splits or tears just some minor creasing.

The Labels

They are in superb order with no marking or writing and only a minimal amount of spindle wear as stated.

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

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 SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

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