PERCY SLEDGE - SOUL AFRICA LP (MEGA SOUTH AFRICA ONLY PRESS ATC 9366)

$

175

ULTRA ULTRA RARE SOUTH AFRICA ONLY LP of Percy Sledge entitled Soul Africa, pressed in 1971 on the red Atlantic label (ATC 9366). One of his rarest LP’s you’ll ever find!! Super hard to find, let alone in superb condition as well ? ? ?. Before getting onto the condition, there is some interesting history about why this release is so scarce!! Please read below (of course, I have cited the reference as I have got this from an online source):
(Stuart Kruase, please google if you need the link as eBay didn't allow me to put it here) ‘’There is an LP called Soul Africa featuring Percy Sledge on all tracks. I found it on ebay after looking for quite some time. It was a soundtrack to a film and some of the tracks were recorded at Capricorn studios. Paul Hornsby, record producer, remembers this film being made and says the masters are still on reel to reel tape and stored at Capricorn studios. There are tracks by Percy not found anywhere else, for example “Swazi Lady” and “Sister Soul”, written by Jackie Avery, Capricorn Studios in house song writer. I did speak to Hornsby about this a few years ago, so I did get first hand info. The film was produced by a guy named Lazarus. you cannot find it anywhere. I would say this would be a rare find if you search enough. I believe the album came out in 1971. I have it here if anyone has more questions about it. I’m just glad someone else knows of its existence.’’
‘’Of course I was titillated to find the described album, a soundtrack by Percy Sledge and his band, recorded in South Africa exclusively…17 shows! Not an easy album to track down, I must agree but last February luck was on my side as I went digging into a hospice shop in the Eastern Cape. Between all the nicks and nacks and lots of broken tracks and poor old vinyl,  there it suddenly was; Percy Sledge in Soul Africa, music from the soundtrack recording. It’s actually a film about the soul singer touring South Africa in 1970. Most of  Percy’s worldwide hits can be heard, although live creates another vibe, another energy.
Most of all it contains a few really funky tracks, unusual James Brown -type-o-sound like “Yeah Baby (You’re The Love I Know)”, ”Soul Fire” and the groovy, funky instrumental “The First Time“. Percy and his band getting down!! And  ’Soul Fire’ is perpretated by the true Zulu spirit, with tribal chanting in a steaming 7 minutes version. Can you feel it?!!’’
".....as far as Percy Sledge goes, according to Jackie Avery (who would be a great interview by the way) Duane supposedly played guitar on a track for a Percy Sledge album called "Soul Africa" which was only released in South Africa. I had begun to think the album never really existed until I finally found a copy on Gemm. It was recorded as a movie soundtrack, which was only shown in Africa (Swaziland I think) in 1971 and some of the tracks were recorded at the Capricorn studios while others were recorded live in Africa during one of Percy's tours.’’
The sleeve is between to VG to VG+ condition; very strong VG, a tiny bit away from VG+. Very clean front, solid (matte), barely any creases or wear there; nice, legible spine. The back is also very nice, clean of any pen names, minimal signs of wear, little trace of ring-wear that’s showing, hence the VG grade but again, high VG, if you can call it that!
The vinyl is EX condition visually and you’ll be hard pressed to find better for this extremely rare LP. Super shiny, clean, wow, just maybe microscopic traces of a hair-line but really impressive. The labels are also supreme, nice and clean, no names, the spindle hole looks new.
Almost impossible to find Percy Sledge South Africa only LP. Grab it while you can!! Reasonable offers accepted :-)

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All images shown here are of the original item on auction/sale, unless otherwise stated. Descriptions for condition and album information are as brief yet detailed as possible, with additional detail on pictures if need be (for more considerable defects etc) Condition grades are purely based on the visual aspect of the vinyl hence most of are not play-tested (unless possibly for more deeper-looking marks or very rare items) I use the RRPG system for condition grading and the ratings are always strict and honest. This item is located in Durban, South Africa and would be posted to anywhere worldwide using the SA Post Office. Payment by PayPal preferably, and would be appreciated within 3 days after auction/sale end, at which you would receive an invoice. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY PAYMENT AFTER ORDER UNTIL YOU RECEIVE AN INVOICE FROM ME. Shipping will be performed within 1-2 working days after payment reflection.  Please ignore eBay default $4 shipping and use the following rates as a guide depending on your location:

EUROPE: $30.00 for the first item, $5 per additional item

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ASIA PACIFIC, CANADA (AUSTRALIA, NZL, JAPAN ETC) + REST OF THE WORLD: $27.00 for the first item, $5 per additional item

I REPEAT AGAIN PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY PAYMENT AFTER ORDER UNTIL YOU RECEIVE AN INVOICE FROM ME!!!

Blessings to all