Steely Dan Aja. MFSL Original Master Recording 100% Analog- Play tests well.

$

25

Original series of MFSL releases. Thin, very high quality vinyl pressed in Japan. Not 45 rpm, not a double album, not 150, 180 or 200 gram. No digital steps in production.

NOT Collector quality but a pretty good player! Some recently purchased new records seem to have just as much (and louder) noise as this 45 year old pressing. 

Description: Purchased used with water damaged cover in approximately 1984-85.Though it looks it, I did not rescue it from the garbage and it plays very well. The listening notes are very critical to ensure you enjoy the album once it arrives. And to reassure you because it looks like I fished it out of the garbage.

Cover and materials: See photos. Used price sticker on label. It has been there a long time so I am not sure how well it would come off. Cover has wear, warping, water damage fraying on edges and beginning to split/separate at  lower back. Protective insert shows overall age discoloration an light water damage. Original lyric sheet also has wrinkling from water damage. Original sleeve has some wrinkling (not necessarily from water damage). Replacement sleeve very recent. Yellow reply form for defect notifications dog-eared.

Label: Intact, no discoloration, no rough edges on spindle holes.

Note: As this is an album that is often approached very analytically, I am being very specific in my description. We all have experiences where a visual “mint” means pretty noisy. In fact, some albums come that way from the factory. 

All vinyl evaluations are subjective- below is how it sounds to me on a dialed in VPI Prime with 3D printed tonearm and Soundsmith Zephyr MK III cartridge (contact line diamond stylus). Sitting position in equilateral triangle with speakers. You may hear the album differently than I based on your equipment and ears. I  am attempting to be very clear with the condition of the record as I hear it; please do not nit-pick and say “You missed two clicks” or other issues. If there are serious issues- please let me know.

Vinyl:  I do not sell vinyl with skips, jumps, extensive groove damage or significant warps. Very clean and shiny, only a few very subtle hairline scratches. 

Side 1:

Black Cow- Just a tiny bit of noise,  if you really listen, on the lead-in track and deep in the background of beginning of the music. 1 gentle tick just after vocals start. There are a few additional ticks throughout the song but I had to actively listen for them and not listen to music. Faint snapping and ticking on the end of the faed out and until Aja.

Aja- Some light background noise before tempo picks up if you focus on it. Repeated a few moment later in a very brief quiet pause. Most of the song had no noise. A touch of groove noise in lead-out.

Deacon Blues- A couple ticks and very light groove noise in lead-in. A low pop at “It seems like yesterday…..”  Medium loud double pop at “sharing the things we love…” very low groove noise and a pop at lead out

Note- after listening I examined surface again and did not see anything other than some very and very fine subtle scratches.

Side 2

Peg- A touch of noise until the music begins. Light crackle on lead-out.

Home At Last- A little light crackle in lead-in and until drums start. Two or three light ticks on lead-out.

I Got The News-  A pop and a touch of crackle about one third of the way through. A pop in the lead-out. Very light groove noise until Josie begins.

Josie- Some  very light groove noise as song ends. A few pops well into the run-out.

Overall a very nice playing album that I hope will find a new home.

Price is set at the minimum I will accept with no reserve. I think it is very reasonable and takes the condition into account. 

I ship for the exact shipping charge. Album will be cleaned and well packed in protective sleeves with album not inserted in jacket. If there is extra room in the box it will be taken up with bubble wrap or additional cardboard.

I am happy to combine shipping but please let me contact you before paying so I can give you the best price.

Including this listing, I have 17 MOFI titles from the early era In current and upcoming auctions.  I will also be posting close to 100 more recent MoFi, Analogue Productions, Speakers Corner, Japanese Pressings and first pressings in the next few months

Current postings;:

Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac 1979

Pink Floyd DSOM 1979 (not UHQR!)

Steely Dan Aja 1980 

Bob Seger Night Moves 1980

Blondie Parallel Lines 1981

Jackson Browne The Pretender 1982

Genesis Trick of the Tail 1981

To be posted as I can listen to them:

David Bowie Ziggy Stardust 1981

Led Zeppelin LZ II 1981

The Kinks Misfits 1981

Joe Jackson Night and Day 1983

David Bowie Let’s Dance 1983

The Beatles Sgt. Pepper 1983 (not from box set)

Grateful Dead From the Mars Hotel 1984

Sting Dream of the Blue Turtles 1995 Limited Edition #1250 of 5000

Bob Marley Exodus (Anadisc, 200 gram) 1995 #2324

John Mellencamp The Lonesome Jubilee (Anadisc, 200 gram) 1995 #2202

More to follow!