Mike Oldfield - Incantations - IMMACULATE MINT 1978 UK First Pressing Double LP

	£		15
	$		20

Artist & Title: Mike Oldfield ?– Incantations

IMMACULATE MINT 1978 UK FIRST PRESSING 4-track double vinyl LP with picture labels in a glossy gatefold picture sleeve with Trevor Key's classic cover design including credits. The fourth studio album from the multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire and the first in four movements. The records are in as-new Immaculate Mint condition and sound as wonderful as ever. And the sharp and clean cover is also in Mint condition. See pics. This is a superb collector’s copy of this definitive 70s Symphonic Rock album.
Highly desirable for its rare First Pressing VDT 101 A3, B4, C1 & D2 matrices and immaculate Mint condition vinyl, and increasingly difficult to find in this condition. This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to add this unbelievable one owner rarity to your collection at an extremely advantageous price.

Catalogue Number: Virgin ?– VDT101

Release date: 24th November 1978 (The day I bought it!)

Overall Grade: Mint/Mint (LP/Cover)

Matrix (Runout): Side 1: VDT 101 A3   Side 2: VDT 101 B4   Side 3: VDT 101 C1   Side 2: VDT 101 D2

All sides have the Utopia Studios symbol etched into the runout.

Note: Recorded at – Througham
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Virgin Records Ltd.
Copyright (c) – Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd.
Printed By – Robor Ltd.
Lacquer Cut at – Utopia Studios.

This historic double LP, the second longest Oldfield ever recorded, is hardly ever offered for sale in this condition – if ever.

“After three years and three albums, Oldfield seemed to really take his time with this one. Incantations, a 70+ minute double, is one of Mike's longest, and undoubtedly, best works. Its symphonic, it's proggy, it's symphonic proggy, while still remaining quite beautiful at all times.”

This is the extremely rare real thing: a genuine IMMACULATE MINT CONDITION 1978 UK FIRST PRESSING. The records are in immaculate as-new condition, as is the cover and inner paper sleeves. All items are free from any major defects such as scratches, stains, tears, dog ears or writing. See pics. All items are the genuine originals bought together by me in 1978 (one careful owner!) not reprints or replacements. The LPs are the original 1978 UK stereo LPs, which were only played once or twice on top-end audiophile equipment and lovingly cared for.

“An astounding album, the only thing that’s dated about Incantations is Oldfield’s clothing on the original LPs sleeve.”

Though forever tied to the mast of the good ship Tubular Bells, Mike Oldfield’s output was both prodigious and of high quality; his fourth album, 1978’s Incantations, was a wonderful worship of minimalist music-making.
Oldfield gifted his four-part suite with a wonderful structure from full orchestration to Gregorian chants and rich melodies that form an organic whole. The Gamelan strut of the final section of Part Two is joyful, with an almost diametrically opposed female singer – Maddy Prior – drifting along on music that predates The Orb’s stroking of similar fluffy cloud terrain by over a decade.
The album as a whole is unusual in that it makes extensive use of the circle of fifths as an accompaniment to many of the musical ideas. Since this musical structure requires that each idea be modulated through twelve keys, before the next is introduced, more time is required to develop each idea, so that each section unfolds more slowly than is usual in Oldfield's work. A by-product of this musical structure is that most of the album is not in any one key, but cycles continuously through them all.
Though operating in what may freely be termed the pop arena, Incantations was a commercial success that also wiped the floor with anything classical composers – Philip Glass, Steve Reich and Arvo Pärt aside – were coming up with at the time.

“The best Mike album from the 70s! I sometimes think that it is even better than Tubular Bells.”

Songs / Tracks Listing:
1. Incantations Part One (19:05)
2. Incantations Part Two (19:34)
3. Incantations Part Three (16:59)
4. Incantations Part Four (16:59)

Line-up / Musicians:
Mike Oldfield: acoustic & electric bass guitars, electric guitars, harp, piano, Farfisa organ, synthesizers (Roland SH2000, ARP 2600 & Solina), percussion (bodhrán, marimba, gong, vibes), electronically processed vocals, EMS sequencer, producer.
With:
Sebastian Bell: flutes
Terry Oldfield: flutes
Mike Laird: trumpet
Jabula quartet: African drums
Pierre Moerlen: drums, vibraphone (4)
Sally Oldfield: vocals
Maddy Prior: vocals
The Queens College Girls Choir: chorus vocals
David Bedford: strings & choir conductor

This may be your only ONCE IN A LIFETIME chance to own this rare piece of music history in this condition.

 “What a progression Oldfield has made! From tubular bells, which is nothing more than a bunch of very good musical idea's glued together, to this, which can be regarded as Oldfield’s ultimate masterpiece.”

A fantastic time warp example of this rarity in amazing condition, a true investment grade item - get it while you can!

AND IT MUST SELL IN THIS ONCE ONLY AUCTION

You can read more about this album and Mike Oldfield all over the web.

I pack my records professionally in stiff corrugated cruciform record boxes leaving the Vinyl (housed in anti-static bags) outside the Sleeve.

Postage discounts for multiple orders are available: £1 per additional LP, up to a maximum of 4, in the UK.
£4 per additional LP, up to a maximum of 4, in the Rest of the World.

Recent Feedback:

“I've bought LPs brand new that weren't in as good condition! Very quick delivery.”

“Mint means MINT for this seller!! trade with confidence!!!! AAAAAAAAA”

“Very fine item. Well packed. Quick shipment. Thanks.”

“Superb piece of vinyl - wonderfully packaged”