Skip Bifferty UK LP Orange RCA SF7941 Psych Classic Heavy Jelly Graham Bell VG+

	£		102
	$		135

I have several rare collectible first pressings for auction this week, including all three Nick Drake albums and both Clive Palmer C.O.B albums. Please be sure to look at my other items. All start at 99p with NO reserve. Please await invoice BEFORE you pay. Shipping rates include insurance (see the bottom of this listing). Combined shipping rates are always offered.

Skip Bifferty – Self-Titled was issued in the UK in 1968 on RCA Victor SF7941. This is the second pressing on the orange labels. Matrix numbers are: WGBS 0031-1E / WGBS 0032 – 2E.

Skip Bifferty were formed when Newcastle upon Tyne band, The Chosen Few (featuring Alan Hull, later of Lindisfarne), changed their name and recruited a new singer, Graham Bell, to replace Hull. Managed by Don Arden, father of Sharon Osbourne, the band were given a contract by RCA Records, for whom the group released a number of psychedelic singles, including "Man in Black" (produced by Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane, both then in the Small Faces), and the eponymous album Skip Bifferty, which, although recorded in the summer of 1967, was not released until the summer of 1968. A management dispute with Arden eventually led to the band's demise in November 1968. Early in 1969, under the name 'Heavy Jelly' and with Paul Nichols replacing Jackman on drums, the band released one single on Island Records, "I Keep Singing That Same Old Song", which received exposure on the Island Records sampler LP “Nice Enough to Eat”.

Together with Turnbull and Gallagher, Bell formed “Bell & Arc” in July 1971. Bassist Colin Gibson went on to work with Ginger Baker, Bert Jansch, Alvin Lee and Van Morrison, amongst others. John Turnbull and Mick Gallagher reappeared in 1977 in Ian Dury’s Blockheads.

Tracks:

Side 1

1.   Money Man

2.   Jeremy Carabine

3.   When She Comes To Stay

4.   Guru

5.   Come Around

6.   Time Track

7.   Gas Board Under Dog 

Side 2

1.   Inside The Secret

2.   Orange Lace

3.   Planting Bad Seeds

4.   Yours For At Least 24

5.   Follow The Path Of The Stars

6.   Prince Germany The First

7.   Clearway 51

Musicians:

Graham Bell: Vocals

Mick Gallagher: Keyboards

Colin Gibson: Bass

John Turnbull: Guitar, Vocals

Tommy Jackman: Drums

Produced by Vic Smith

Sleeve Notes by John Peel

The single front laminated sleeve of rather thin, flimsy card is in Very Good + condition with light creasing in the laminate. There is minimal edgewear, slight cornerwear, but discernible wear to the opening edge. The spine text is fully legible and there are no rips, sticker tears or writing. The unlaminated rear, with sleeve notes by John Peel, has minor surfacewear and slight ringwear at the very top and at the very bottom. Overall still in very fine, presentable condition.

The vinyl is also in Very Good + condition. The record plays through nicely with absolutely no sticks, jumps, clicks or pops. There is a little light crackle here and there in the gaps between the tracks and in some of the quiet sections of the music, most notably on S2T2 (“Orange Lace”). The labels are beautiful and clean. 

I am not a dealer but a serious collector. All my records come from my private collection. Please read my ME page for details of my philosophy on descriptions and gradings. I absolutely guarantee my gradings as played through my system. All my records are cleaned on a Moth Mk II RCM and play-graded in their entirety on a Rega Planar 3 turntable with RB300 tonearm and Denon DL-304 MC cartridge tracking at 1.5 g through an azur 840a amp via Chord Odyssey 4 bi-wired cable into KEF Q900 speakers. Inferior component-type turntables without proper tracking are more prone to sticking and jumping than high-grade turntables. If you love vinyl, do yourself a favour and invest in a decent system if you don't already own one. You don't have to pay thousands. Excellent quality 2nd hand turntables are available on eBay for around £100 (about the price of 1 rare LP). Your investment will be more than rewarded by the additional listening pleasure you derive.

BUT if, unexpectedly, you are unhappy for any reason, please get in touch.

Grading :

M = Mint - as new

NM = Near Mint - very few, light signs of usage that don’t affect play - the cover has only minor signs of wear.

EX = Excellent - some signs of usage, but very little lessening in sound quality – the cover might have slight wear and/or creasing.

VG = Very Good - no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch - normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items.

G = Good - the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches - the cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

+ and - are used as appropriate.

Payment

Payment is expected within 3 days of auction end. PAYPAL is welcomed. In the UK cheques or direct credit into my bank account (please ask for the account details) are also fine. 

Non-paying bidders will be reported to eBay.

Shipping Policy :

If not still sealed, records are taken out of the sleeve to avoid splitting. They are posted in professional mailers with proper stiffeners for extra protection. These are pre-used and so are provided free of charge. A polythene sleeve is also always included. 

Postage / Shipping Charges

The following rates insure all packages up to a value of either £250 or £500, dependent upon destination. Additional insurance may be available for a higher fee.

UK 

1 LP                     £7.35

2 – 3 LPs            £8.65

Europe

1LP      £13.60

2LPs    £15.30

3LPs    £16.60

The Americas / Asia / Australasia / Rest of the World (ROW)

1LP      £16.55

2LPs    £19.45

3LPs    £22.30