Nik Turner’s Sphynx – Xitintoday – Space Rock Vinyl LP – OG UK w/Booklet

$

26

The story behind this phenomenal album is fascinating. Nik Turner is best recalled as a featured member of the space rock band, Hawkwind. He was a primary vocalist and played saxophone and flute. He wrote or co-wrote several of the and’s most unforgettable recordings. And he was especially known for his outrageous stage presence, quite often in costumes inspired by ancient Egyptian folklore. But his antics eventually wore thin and he was dismissed from the band. Soon after his dismissal he went to Egypt and found himself playing (and recording) his flute in the Great Pyramid of Gaza. He convinced a friend at Charisma Records to listen to his primitive recordings and try to work them into an album. That’s when Steve Hillage learned of the venture and joined in. With Hillage acting as producer and playing guitar, and with additional help from Gong multi-instrumentalist Harry Williamson, the group took those flute recordings and transformed them into what became this brilliant collection. The Allmusic critic gave it 4 stars and described it as a “magical, mysterious, and, most of all, moody album. Songs as such do not exist; rather, lyrics and arrangements follow an atmosphere-licked destiny of their own making, to take the listener deep inside some forgotten pyramid, to witness the spectral rituals being enacted therein.” Just as I’m certain Turner intended. This was the only album the group created. The album was released on Charisma in 1978, number CDS 4011. This is the original release of the album. The insert 16 page booklet is included and is in like new condition. The vinyl is in pristine condition with its bright original luster and no scratches or scuffs. It plays with virtually no background noise. The vinyl grades NM. The album cover still has its original shrink wrap. It shows no ring wear and very light corner wear. All seams are clean, sharp, tight, and intact. There is a small crease near the upper right corner. The cover grades VG+.

Track List:

The Awakening (Life On Venus)

The Pyramid Spell

The Hall Of Double Truth

Anubis

Thoth

Horus

Isis And Nephthys

Osiris

God Rock (The Awakening)

Grading Information:

I always clean and listen to every record I list on eBay. I do this to make sure I can give as accurate a description of each record as possible.  I do both a visual check and an audio check. I always attempt to give as objective a grading as I can.

I use four grades in grading:  NM, VG+, VG, and G.  The only exception is a sealed album which is presumed to have vinyl in mint condition. Sealed albums may not be returned. My NM grading means that the vinyl looks and plays as though it is the first time out of the sleeve. The VG+ rating is used on any album that plays great but has one or two small defects. It may have a pop here and there or some occasional background noise. On a VG album you can expect that, typically, this album will play great, but you’ll see more defects than your VG+ rated album.  Most often the VG rated album may even play well enough to be graded VG+, but the color or blemishes drop the grading. Likewise, you may occasionally find an album that looks almost NM but the sound quality just isn’t there. That’s why I play every album first.  In this case the vinyl will be graded VG. 

Occasionally I will list an album with a grade of G. This is one where I consider the collectible value of the album to be great enough that the copy being presented is worth owning as a filler copy. Albums graded G are not returnable.

Shipping Information – Combined Shipping:

The shipping cost will be based on the weight of your package. For Media Mail, shipping is $7.00 in the continental U.S. I will happily combine records from multiple auctions to reduce total shipping cost. In fact, I welcome it! Shipping will be $7.00 in the U.S regardless of the number of auctions won in any 5-day period. Also, please keep in mind that if your entire transaction totals $50 or more, I will pay the entire shipping cost.

Canada shipping is calculated based on weight using US Postal Service rates.  Combined shipping is also welcomed here and does result in significant per-album cost savings. The first album will typically cost approximately $28. Additional albums will be shipped for $6 per album, with up to four pounds able to be shipped before we need to use International Priority shipping.

Shipments to outside the US and Canada will vary depending on your country. Typically, the cost per album will be no more than $30.  Combined shipping is welcome here as well, at a cost of $10 per additional album up to the maximum of four pounds.

All albums will be shipped in specially designed album hard cardboard mailers with a cardboard insert to prevent damage upon opening.  The vinyl is removed from the cover and presented in a new poly sleeve.  I am committed to one day turnaround on shipments.  If I receive payment before 7:00 AM Central Time I will package and ship that same day.

Thanks for looking and please contact me with any questions.