PRINCE BUSTER & THE ALL STARS, Wreck A Pum Pum (68 FAB)

	£		33
	$		44

Have a listen to ‘Ten Commandments’ of Prince Buster. PLEASE NOTE: The sound files we put on our listings are all recorded from the actual record being sold, they are intended to give you an idea of the music content and the superb sound quality (which of course is a lot better once you hear the record in the flesh!)

This is a massively rare original 1968 pressing of Prince Buster’s album ‘Wreck A Pum Pum’. From the sixties undisputed king of Blue Beat, these original albums in the Ska & Rock Steady styles so rarely turn up in anything like a playable shape having been used, loved, played & played again or taken to wild parties. It’s inevitable but it’s such a shame as well because original vinyl pressings like this really bring the feel of the music to the surface and this particular pressing does that brilliantly, this is one of those rare occasions when a great sixties reggae/ska album has been well cared for so don’t miss out...

Year of original release: 1968

Year of this pressings release: 1968

Label: Fab

Catalogue No: BBLP 821

Matrix No’s: BBLP+821+A / BBLP+821+B

Country of Manufacture: England 

Mode: Mono

RECORD CONDITION

Labels: EXCELLENT

These are textured labels that have no blemishes whatsoever; there is no writing, no marks, tears or sticker removals so they both look absolutely pristine. The spindle area shows that the record has been played but they also show that the record was handled with care.

Visual: EXCELLENT

The album looks clean and unblemished, it is clear that this is a record that has no major issues with its condition and the play grade I’ll write about below has backed this up. There are definitely no bad scratches here and a closer study under strong light only shows a few very minor paper scuffs and light marks that are totally non-sounding but are the main reason for my grade. There is no warping and there are no manufacturers defects in the vinyl so this is a fine looking original record.

Play: EXCELLENT

The whole album plays through both sides with no problems at all! The sound is completely clear and any noise in the background is virtually non-existent. There are no bad pops or clicks anywhere and also the needle doesn’t stick or skip anywhere either. The sound stands up well to playing at high volume, there is no distortion and I have to say that if there was any sound coming from the needle running through the grooves or anything I didn’t spot it. Basically there’s nothing to interfere with your playing of or enjoyment of the music, these are deep sixties grooves with brilliant sound so don’t miss out on this one!

COVER CONDITION

Front laminate sleeve: VERY GOOD+

The whole cover is in great shape and it does not have any serious blemishes or damage. The top and bottom edges are both smooth and totally un-scuffed and the spine is still firm with clearly legible text. There is only the earliest trace of ring-wear visible on the front and back but this is definitely not a bad scuff mark and not bad wear and tear. The seams have come unstuck but again this is an easily rectified piece of wear so all in all a really great looking original sleeve.

ABOUT PRINCE BUSTER & THE ALL STARS - ‘WRECK A PUM PUM’

Prince Buster did not invent rude reggae, but he certainly did it a lot better, and a lot more frequently, than most people. ‘Wreck a Pum Pum’ collects most of his earlier contributions to the canon, opening with the title track's positively filthy reinvention of ‘Little Drummer Boy’/, then continuing on through such distinctly unsubtle offerings as ‘Pum Pum a Go Will You’, ‘Pussy Cat Bite Me’ and that most alluring of Buster productions, ‘Wreck a Buddy (The Sexy Girls)’ — ‘Wreck a Pum Pum’ again, from the other side of the genitals. Alongside these, a handful of older numbers slide thematically into the brew — ‘Ten Commandments of Man’, ‘Rough Rider’ and ‘Whine & Grine’ — while ‘Pharaoh House Crash’ adds some political subversion to the proceedings, and even the instrumental ‘The Abeng’ doesn't sound out of place by the time you reach it..(Allmusicguide)

POSTAGE & PACKING

UK:

Basic option – FREE / Recorded Delivery (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!) £3.50

EUROPE:

Basic airmail - £4.00 / Insured delivery £8.00

REST OF WORLD:

Basic airmail - £7.00 / Insured delivery £12.00

We will always ensure that our records will be well packed in a secure manner. We do everything we can to provide a safe delivery and ensure that your records arrive in the same condition that they left us in. We use professionally packed heavy-duty mailers. We are also happy to accommodate pick up in person.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

If you are unhappy with your purchase, for any reason, we are not going to get into a long dispute with you about the items merits. We offer a no nonsense money back promise including postage upon return of the item. Obviously we do ask that you raise any issues within 7 days of delivery. Just get in touch, we can work it out.

GRADING

‘Record Collector Magazine’ have for years promoted a grading system that has been accepted as the all round standard amongst dealers and collectors. We too use that system but just in case anyone’s not sure here’s my basic interpretation:

MINT: Only ever used if a record is totally un-played and therefore can be classed as brand new. Even if a record has only had one play it can no longer be Mint.

NEAR MINT: This grading applies to a record that has no visible faults and no lessening in sound quality. Other than perhaps a little dust and in some cases the lightest of totally non-sounding paper scuffs visible under strong light, vinyl graded Nr.Mint will be extremely well cared for. Sleeves graded Nr.Mint will have no damage and only the vaguest suggestion of any handling or use.

EXCELLENT: Records graded thus will essentially be in a very well cared for condition and play without any problems. Excellent records have been used but they will have been well looked after and the worst you can expect with the audio will be the odd light pop or click and perhaps a little bit of light background noise in a couple of places, but certainly nothing that will spoil your enjoyment of the music. Covers graded Excellent have no damage or defacement to the artwork , their evidence of handling will only be in minor details like a few faint creases, tiny edge scuffs or a small amount of writing or sticker residue but certainly no serious damage.

VERY GOOD: Records graded VG will be totally satisfactory to all but those looking for total perfection. They will be used but still fully playable and only show the kind of wear you would expect to find on a second hand record that has had a few plays. The odd light scratch may be evident as well as general spindle wear and paper scuffs but nothing to cause any overall problems with your enjoyment of the record. Basically, be realistic in what you’d expect a used record to look and sound like and you won’t have any disappointments with a record that is graded Very Good. Covers graded VG may show a bit of general wear or scuffing around the edges, there could be some light ring-wear, a few creases and perhaps a little bit of writing (1960’s record owners seemed to always write their name somewhere on the sleeve) but they will still be fully intact and certainly not abused in any way.

GOOD: Vinyl graded as Good should be approached with a little more caution, as most dealers will tell you in record collecting terms ‘good’ means ‘bad’! We try and keep our items above this standard, however Good does have some saving graces and is not the lowest grading vinyl can be given. A record graded thus will still be just about playable although it will clearly have been played a lot by previous owners. You can also expect light scratches and definitely some surface noise. Covers graded as Good will be just about holding it together although you will inevitable find plenty of creases, maybe a few rips and seam splits as well as possibly chunks missing, writing or stains and indeed any other kind of defacement that it’s possible to find on record sleeves without them being totally destroyed.

FAIR: Don’t bother bidding!

NB. There may be occasions when we add a + or a – to a grading. The reason for this is fairly self explanatory but essentially, if something is VG+ that means it is a seriously strong example of that particular grading and potentially worth a higher grade. Please also remember that there are variables within all of these gradings (for example, it is not impossible for a Nr.Mint sleeve to have a tiny bit of writing present) but we’ll always endeavour to mention any especially relevant points within the bulk of the main description text