Jazz 1U/1U (1st Press with Poster)

This first pressing plays to an immaculate standard and has only been lightly played over the last 41 years.  The clarity is stunning and the fact that there is only one mega tiny spindle trace certainly suggests that.  This vinyl is without doubt one of the 'cleanest' first pressings I have ever seen.

The gatefold is in lovely condition and we all know how difficult it is to find one like this as they are very susceptible to shelf.  It also comes complete with the infamous poster which is still attached!  The picture inner is also in fantastic condition.  A FINAL UPGRADE ARCHIVE album in my opinion!

EMA 788 // YAX - 5550 - 1U / 5551 - 1U // GL 5  RTB - 2  STERLING / RO 3  RTB - 1  STERLING

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 1 Near Mint)

The picture inner is Near Mint

The labels are Mint

  The poster is Mint-

 Visual grading

  This vinyl is in superb condition and is so 'clean' for its 40+ years.  It is only on very close inspection that you can detect a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines but there are no scratches or marks at all.  It has a very impressive glossy sheen and there is only one mega small spindle trace on the S1 label, nothing on S2!  The run out grooves and labels are super clean also.  This is a fine example of this first pressing and rarely seen in this condition today.

Play grading

The vocal only intro on 'Mustapha' plays with superb clarity and only one light static tick.  There are no clicks or pops and no crackle either and continues to play with 'high end' audio to the very end.  There is no interference and this is a stunning Mint- start to the side.  Every note can be heard so clearly.

The opening chorus on 'Fat Bottomed Girls' could not play any better and the guitar section that follows also plays with sublime clarity apart from one very light click, hardly intrusive.  Thereafter this classic plays with wonderful depth and power and with no other intrusion.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and it is clear this vinyl has only been lightly played.  There is no groove wear and thus no loss in audio quality, it plays with great definition.  A near perfect track aside from the one faint click so will grade as Near Mint.

'Jealousy' has only the lightest of intermittent static on the intro and then plays with immaculate quality for the remainder with only a handful of inconsequential static sounds.  What you would expect to find basically on a vinyl of this age.  There are no clicks or pops, no intrusive 'background' at all.  This is a very 'clean' version of this underrated track and grades as Near Mint the playback is very impressive indeed.

'Bicycle Race' is exceptional from the very first groove and the only 'background' are three very light static sounds on the 'bell ringing' section.  Very minimal!  The rest of the track is without fault and is Mint in anyone's book.

This version of 'If You Can't Beat Them' is one of the strongest I have heard in a long time and has no interference at all.  This is quite rare as it so often plays  with distortion but that is not the case here.  The audio is so deep and rich and there is no static etc in the background.  A fantastic version for sure.

'Let Me Entertain You' begins superbly with that familiar drum/bass/piano beat.  As Freddie's vocal comes in there is no let up in quality and it continues to play with great power and depth.  There is a little inner groove distortion but you cannot escape it with this track, it's always there!  This is vinyl and with many records this has to accepted as a given and should not be downgraded as a result.  The entire track still plays extremely well with not one single click or pop and the 'crowd' section at the end has never sounded clearer.

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'Dead On Time' is stunning from the very first start.  Incredible power and the bass is so strong here.  It continues to play with fantastic audio and it would be difficult to find better!  It really is so powerful with no distortion at all and the only 'fault' is one minor click just before the 'You're dead' line right at the end.

'In Only Seven Days' plays beautifully for such a quiet track and quite honestly I have never heard such clarity on a genuine 1U/1U first press.  There is no 'background' at all, the playback is Mint without doubt.

'Dreamers Ball' and 'Fun It' both play to the same impeccable standard and grade as Mint no more needs to be said :-)

The quiet intro on 'Leaving Home Ain't Easy' has no interference and then plays with wonderful quality for the remainder.  There is not so much as a dust tick.

The classic 'Don't Stop Me Now' is stunning from the very first note to the last.  Again there is no interference and this is obviously a vinyl that has been hardly played.  You don't get this clarity and definition on a record that has been under the needle a number of times!  There is no distortion and the vocal fade out plays with perfect precision.  What a version!

'More Of That Jazz' ends this superb album with no 'background' and barely any inner groove distortion which is a real rarity.  This is a 'high end' finish to one of the 'cleanest' first pressings I have ever heard.  Absolutely stunning!

In summary this mega early 1U/1U first press is a FINAL UPGRADE version in my opinion.  The clarity and definition of the audio is equal to that of a high quality vinyl pressed only yesterday and that is no exaggeration.  With only one faint click on each side that is quite impressive for a 41 year old record!  There is also next to no static, just a couple of minor static ticks on S1 and there is obviously no crackle to speak of.  I know a lot of Queen fans do not rate the production on this album but despite that you could not wish to find a more impressive first press in my opinion.  The gatefold is also in superb condition and as stated the poster is still attached :-)

The Gatefold

This is one of the finest embossed G&L covers that I have seen in a long time.  It is susceptible to shelf wear but this one has been incredibly well preserved over the decades and has none of the fading or marking that you so often see.  The edges are super clean and only the top edge of the front cover has only a small number of rubs.  The wide spine has only one small white compression mark and the usual 'lines' running down it from where it has been opened but the corners have only a very small amount of wear.  The right hand corners have barely any wear, they are in great shape and the opening edge is superb with no handling wear.  What really stands out is just how clean the front and back covers are - the latter especially as this predominantly 'white' cover so easily stains etc.  Not here though it is pristine!  The front cover just has one barely noticeable sticker removal mark and one crease line next to the spine.  The inside of the gatefold is 'as new'.

As stated the poster is still attached with only a small number of loose perforations.  I have actually just noticed that there is a small piece of tape attaching it to the cover at the bottom.  It really isn't obvious.  Overall this is a fantastic example of this iconic cover that any collector would be very impressed by.

Picture Inner & Poster

In near perfect condition the glossy picture inner has no splits and remains very strong.  There are only 3 or 4 small laminate creases around the edges.  One of the best I have seen.

The poster is in superb condition with no marking, tears or creasing.  Just a little tape attaching it to the bottom of the cover as stated.

The Labels

As near to pristine as is possible!  They have no marking and just one mega tiny spindle trace on the S1 label.

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

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

EMA 788 // YAX - 5550 - 1U / 5551 - 1U // GL 5  RTB - 2  STERLING / RO 3  RTB - 1  STERLING

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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