RDM - La Bibbia (Contempo) RI / LP Heavy Prog Psych

$

31

You shouldn't even try to compare "La Bibbia", their debut from 1971 to their classic "Contaminazione". To me, I think this is a rather underrated progressive hard rock album. This album definately won't appeal to the symphonic crowd, or those expecting a classical/prog hybrid like that of "Contaminazione". This album, instead has a rather rough and unpolished production. The vocals are in the hard rock vein, with heavy use of guitar. No keyboardist had yet been in the band, so all sound effects are off sound generators. The lyrics are said to have Biblical themes. It's not as bad as many might say it is, and I actually enjoy the album, despite the production and the fact it don't resemble in any ways "Contaminazione".

(progarchives.com)

As mentioned above, this album has very little to do with the band that produced the LP which many proggers go gaga over in "Contaminazione".  But if you're looking for some of the most excellent guitar work to come out of Italy, you should definitely take this album into consideration.  The order here is heavy, molten, psychedelic blues-laden rock, and none of the sympho stuff RDM would be producing a few years later.  Back in the early days of the first wave of prog reissues (mid-80's), THIS album was getting all of the raves from the Ultima Thule record store fan base and their publication Auracle- much more than Contaminazione was getting at the time.  I'll be so bold as to place this album as one of the top 10 albums to come out of the 70's Italian prog scene.  Strong words, but I'll stand by them any day.  This album is an absolute monster.

Contempo Records/RCA (Italy/198?) NL 74112

A1. Il Nulla
A2. La Creazione
A3. L'Ammonimento

B1. Sodoma e Gomorra
B2. Il Giudizio
B3. Il Diluvio

Line up:

Enzo Vita- guitars
Pino Ballarini- vocals, flute
Stefano Urso- bass
Gino Campoli- drums

LP, jacket, and multi-page insert in EX condition.

Will ship worldwide via USPS.  Postage determined by destination.



Welcome to my auction of rare (and not so rare) items.  Over the coming years, you'll find lots of LPs, CDs, magazines, and other items that I've been lugging around for the past 30+ years posted here for an appreciative future owner.  I'm getting too old these days to move this stuff around any longer, and to be quite honest about it, I can better utilize the space left with their vacancy.

Please include my seller ID in your favorites because if you dig the out-of-the-ordinary, chances are good that I'm selling something you may covet.

I've kept my items in the best shape possible over the years, with plastic sleeves over the jacket, and in many cases, I've replaced paper LP sleeves with high-quality rice sleeves.  If an LP included any sticker on the shrink-wrap, I usually cut it out and stuck it in with the LP sleeve.  I rarely took any inserts out of the jackets if they were included, so any additional item you may get with an LP won't have thumbtack holes or taped corners.

I've loved my music collection as if they were a part of me, and I think you'll see this should you win any item I sell.

I'm brutally honest in my grading.  I don't believe in "Mint" quality, however I will say that many of my LPs designated VG+ would likely be another seller's "Near Mint".  Over my years of ownership, I used a Keith Monks LP cleaner, cleaned albums with a 10% vodka/90% purified water solvent, and used an anti-static gun and mat, along with near-audiophile cartridges and tonearms.

Why are my LPs priced so low when another seller is charging a three-figure price for the same items?  Simple.  I believe in the spirit of the auction.  I may not make the money some have on the same item, but then I usually don't have to post an item 20 times before someone finally buys it at a collector's price.

My grading system:

EX: Vinyl is (nearly) perfect.  Only noise during play is from dust or dirt specks you didn't clean before playing.  Jacket is (nearly) perfect- almost like you took it out of the wrapper a few minutes ago.

VG+: Obviously played, but vinyl still has almost-new luster.  Some small scuffs or light scratches, not affecting or barely affecting play are evident.  Jacket has some small scuffs or light ringwear.  No seam splits, but edge/corner wear is evident.  Possible small sticker or man-made mark visible.

VG: These and below are almost always LPs I've bought from a used bin at some time during my collecting days.  Vinyl is well played, and background noise is becoming evident.  Occasional scratches may affect play, but no groove skipping.  Jacket may have a small notch/corner cut. Ring wear is evident, but does not affect cover notes.  Light corner bend or wrinkle in jacket surface.

VG-: This is usually the lowest grade I will sell without going into great descriptions.  A bit noisier than above.  Still no groove skip.  More scratches affecting play.  Jacket is definitely showing signs of wear.  Some seam splitting is evident.  Large sticker or factory imprint mars jacket cover or notes on back cover.  Bends or creases are more evident.  Man-made spotting/writing.  Overly-ambitious notch/corner cut or outright damage to cover.

G: I have maybe a handful of albums that fit this category.  You'll see detailed descriptions on any album like this.

Last thoughts:  Return bidders get postage discounts, based on a percentage of total postage.  I will combine orders, but please don't expect me to hold items or delay total payment longer than 2 weeks past the time of first winning bid.  A note to me over plans to bid on later listed items is always a good thing!  I usually mail out the weekend following the sale of an item due to my work schedule, but occasionally, I can mail out during the week.

Good luck and good bidding!