QUINTESSENCE (2nd) STUNNING ISLAND PINK RIM LP & COVER.

	£		124
	$		164

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Postage: UK £4.75. Europe (including Russia) £12.50. Rest of World £16.50. ALL signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment. I try to keep my P&P prices as low as possible even yet another Royal Mail price hike, I will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably a little heavier.

Artist or Band: QUINTESSENCE

Album Title: Quintessence.

Producer(s): John Barham.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Gauranga; Sea of Immortality; High on Mt. Kailash; Burning Bush; Shiva’s Chant.

Side 2: Prisms; Twilight Zones; Maha Mantra; Only Love; St Pancras; Infinitum.

Label/Format: Island – first repress on Pink Rim (Please see my label scan).

Label Conditions: Both in stunning condition – as is the whole album – fresh, clean and attractive with just a faint spindle trace each side. These look practically as made and the record plays with the quality of the original master tape.

Cat Number: ILPS 9128.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 123 grams. A very good solid weight.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity / Info: Quite rare: not one of Island’s bigger known acts and still hugely underrated and valued in my opinion. I personally think the pink rim pressing is rarer than the first pink, and I feel sure not many were even made that included the stunning original flap ‘two door’ front opening cover. What is especially worthy of note is the pressing quality. I rarely, if ever heard a better playing of copy of the difficult record. Most have inherent crackle and even distortion, especially on the critical areas nearer the label rim where the tracking angle becomes crucial. So often have I heard the delicate information on the flute parts break-up and distort. This beautiful, barely played EMI-pressed copy is absolutely pristine and offers audiophile master tape quality sound from start to finish. Not only that, the ultra-fragile and damage-prone cover is equally immaculate with minimal traces of any wear and no damage to those front opening flaps. Both retain strong ‘spring’ and refuse to stay open when the back is laid to the floor. The internal laminate on both hinges tight and uncracked or broken, this they omit a loud crackle and resistance to even being opened. So my pictures were not easy to take and had to be made with the cover standing up. Both flaps ‘object’ to be opened further than half way (90 degrees) to reveal the stunning inside graphic. This has to be one of the most beautiful covers within the Island catalogue, if not ever, and added bonuses are, both flaps are perfectly folded with precision alignment in the middle when closed – these are dead parallel to the cover’s edges and centrally – not all are. Also the ends are crisp and neat with no chipping, rubbing and minimal traces of any burring. The laminate retains stunning shine and the beauty of this daring and beautifully designed cover is almost jaw-drop gorgeous. A true work-of-art and this does it nigh-on maximum justice. I had to think hard about even offering this, I know the record is not a very first issue, but the cover looks practically the same and both pieces are immaculate. So against my normal protocol, my opening bid is higher than usual, because I am more than happy to keep this myself, I am confident I will never find a better one for looks or sound and this is a rare item as such. Long time this wonderful mystical prog-band got the recognition they deserve.

Original Year of Release: 1970. This from late that year or early 1971.

Matrix Nos: ILPS 9128 A-5U / ILPS 9128 B-5U [these deeply punched Roman style]

Mothers / Stampers: M / 1 M

Musicians: Raja Ram - flute; Jake Milton - drums; Maha Dev - rhythm guitar; Shiva Shankar Jones - vocals; Allan Mostert - lead guitar; Shambhu Baba - bass guitar.

Brief Info: One of the earliest true ‘progressive’ acts signed to Island records, they blended rock and jazz elements with a mystical Eastern influence. With a strong interest in Indian music, Quintessence were one of the most spiritual progressive acts of their era. Superb guitar improvisations with flute and vocals, this band’s music is simply superb and still probably not receiving the attention and credit it deserves. This second album includes one of the most beautiful covers within the Island catalogue. Fully laminated with stunning artwork with twin opening front flaps (doors) to reveal the magnificent inside graphic. Often seen damaged but this one is simply jaw-drop stunning. The record itself looks hardly played and sound quality is nigh-on perfect, I have always found this a very difficult album to find that plays anything like perfectly. This EMI pressed first issue on the new pink rim label is the best I have ever heard. With very complex vocals parts and intense sounds including flute – always a testing instrument – this is one of Island’s most challenging albums and pressing quality plays a big part. The slightly earlier pink copes often ruined by harsh treatment on heavy-tracking record players, of which this complex record is highly intolerant. Overall, a fantastic copy and most fans of progressive music and the early Island catalogue will enjoy.

This Cover’s Potential for Wear: Very High: those flaps are often seen very creased and dinked (or worse). They catch freely on other albums, protective covers and in storage and are rarely seen quite like this.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(++): and as close to full Mint(-) as they are likely to be found. A fully laminated double opening fronted cover. This one printed and made in England by Robor and includes the original plain white inner sleeve. This copy made prior to the blue inners that were introduced a few months later.

Lamination & Front: A brief recap, as I have large described this in the ‘Rarity’ paragraph. This has twin opening fron flaps (like doors that open to reveal the stunning inside artwork). Both undamaged or creased and perfectly folded square so parallel and meeting flush in the centre. The laminate retains a superb shine, freshness and clarity with only faint traces of any dulling seen more critically under angled light. A tiny few ultra fine edge hairlines and NO lifting or dinks. This truly come close to reminding of new and finding these quite like this is immensely difficult and rare.

Cover Back: The intense orange back is equally fine with just the faintest traces of record impression/light dull from the quite thick record rim near the top edge. With laminate fully adhered, shiny and clear with minimal traces of any dulling, this back is very impressive with astonishing deep and vibrant colour. Hardly a crease to be seen worthy of note and again, no lifting. Put the superb front and back together, this has been stored with utmost care and I doubt if it has seen light-of-day for decades.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Wow!! – open the two front doors to reveal a stunning near Mint graphic. Both folds incredibly retain full laminate with NO cracking or peeling whatsoever. The spring of the resistance to even being opened is almost like a cover trying to hide the jewel inside. And anything over half way make it creak with displeasure in doing so. The colour and beauty of the graphic is a true work-of-art, the laminate gleams with freshness and has barely a blemish worthy of note. Simply stunning.

Top & Bottom Edges: All silky smooth and dead straight and parallel. These factors are what set an average cover with an exceptional one.

The Door Edges: Both clean, crisp and sharp with minimal traces of any burring or thickening. Amazing considering the record has to enter the cover from either one of these. It simply reitterates either the record has not been stored inside, or has barely made the trip out. The ends have a fine unlaminated strip and both are ultra clean with no grubbiness, chipping or enhancements – this near impossible to find and I stated again, both are dead parallel and meet togethere with utmost precision and accuracy – this simply does not happen on many. This adds that extra class look that the connoisseur cover collector craves.

Edges – Left & Right: Both act as spine edges as both are similar and the same text is included on both. The left one is practically as made with full laminate cover and perfect text with barely any evidence of ‘usage’ for inserting the record. Solid and very straight with no compression. The left is quite similar, but with a mild natural recess on opening, clearly the record has to be accessed at least once from new, so this has been opened for the purpose at least a couple of three times, but it still retains a near equal spring to the unused left. So unliked the other side, the text has very slightly sunken into the recess, but all laminate on both is uncracked and totally complete with no lifting of flaking. There is NO dinking to the folds or corners. Again, how many will still look even half this good?

Corners: All crisp, neat and very sharp with any tip whites being as per made. No dinks, tip creasing or wear, all retain supreme shape with NO tip-ins or enhancements.

Cover Summary: Made at a time of quality and imagination, seeing this classic cover makes you wonder why Island did not laminate more of their covers – clearly cost was a factor, but they spared no expense on this artistic gem. A near supreme example of this wonderful Island cover, one that will prove very difficult to find better. Beautiful, but somewhat damage-prone, this has avoided any and this stunning example should please most-all collectors.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(++): a plain white unlined inner as per the very first issues, the blue Island inners came along a few months later. This has a stamped reference number on the top right corner area and has aged little. Clean with barely any creasing and no edge splits or repairs.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: MINT(-): a superb visual copy that is very clean, shiny, intense black and solidly pressed. A record hardly even run-in in vinyl terms, any surface traces minuscule even when scrutinised seen under bright light. Visually a super record that should please most-all collectors again.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This beautiful and still very early pink rim EMI-pressed record plays up to it’s high visual grading with practically nothing to fault. And only rarely could I ever contemplate stating this on this particular album which I have always found difficult. Sound quality is very high with a full dynamic range and detailed sound. Any surface sounds barely even registered and no pops or clicks were noted. This is as close to crackle-free as this record will ever get and the best-pressed copy I have ever heard bar none. The two Island pink Quintessence albums are both very difficult and complex recordings and are highly prone to surface noise, often the earliest pressings the most guilty, some with inherent pressing faults. A record that seems intolerant of over-playing or heavy tracking abuse from old record players, the likes of which this copy has never seen. Few copies will match, let outperform this superior EMI pressing significantly I feel sure. Both channels are clean and sharp, I am certain this record has been played very lightly (quite possibly just once prior to my mandatory sound check) and has been clearly expertly stored and lightly handled. Nothing whatsoever spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record. This copy will prove immensely difficult to find better and can be strongly recommended. If gorgeous looks and reference sound are more important than being a very first pressing, this is for you.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Terrarium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand+ based on over 8,000+ items sold in over 10 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 2 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £8. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £3 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.