THE ELECTRIC PRUNES - SECOND ALBUM - UNDERGROUND - USA IMPORT COPY  REPRISE 6262

	£		65
	$		86

THE ELECTRIC PRUNES - SECOND ALBUM - UNDERGROUND - USA IMPORT COPY REPRISE 6262. Condition is "Used"  Dispatched by Royal Mail "Signed For" 2nd Class Service. 
From the sellers private collection an album for American psychedelic connoisseurs. 
THE ELECTRIC PRUNES - SECOND ALBUM - UNDERGROUND - USA IMPORT COPY   Released originally in the USA in August of 1967.  I purchased this genuine USA Import copy in 67, from the legendary “One Stop Records”  40, South Molton Street, London, W1. (A well known 60s record shop frequented by various personal. (I once met & conversed with John Peel in there, who was a frequent visitor). The record was not originally released in the UK.  It is in VG condition, but has some minor scuff marks (Highlighted). It plays perfectly without any pops or crack noises. The outer sleeve reflects it age of 54 years with various marks. American covers were unfortunately not laminated at that time. 
This particular disc was pressed in the USA by Customatrix, a subsiduary of Columbia Records & CBS, producing masters & stampers, not only for themselves, but other record labels, including Elektra, Reprise,Warner Brothers, A&M, & Epic ETC.There may have been 47 plus variants of this album. A Customatrix pressing could be identified by a locating a small stamped O or o often positioned directly before or after the matrix number. This also could vary in size & sometimes need a magnifing glass for identification, it could also be so vague as to not be identifiable at all. The albums identification is as follows :- Original  "Stereo" pressing with tri-colour label.  RS - 6262 appears on spine & back of sleeve. RS6262 appears on record labels & 6262 appears on front of sleeve.

• Matrix / Runout (Runout Side A  Etched): o 30683 RS-6262-A   1E. Matrix / Runout (Runout Side B Etched)    :  o 30684 RS-6262-B   1-D 

  The Record is graded between Excellent (EX) to Very Good (VG)  It has some minor scuff marks (as shown) that do not manifest on play - it will play through without issue or noise.  The label information is perfect and there is no hole distortion. It is in excellent condition for its 54 years of age 
RCM Valuation is at (EX) £96 to (VG) £60. I have observed this variant  available at over £150 from sources other than ebay.

The cover is graded Fair (F)  It is unfortunately non laminated, but has the thicker cardboard utilised on the Americian releases .Throughout its 54 year old existence. the spine & top edge developed splits which were repaired by using adheasive tape. This through the years disintegrated, leaving a tape outline  around the perimeter as shown on the images.There are some blemishes on the surfaces but thanks to the thicker card, no major creases to the cover. Equally, there is hardly any ring ware which is remarkable for a non laminated cover of this age. It was once pinned to a display board with the resulting pin holes on the rear face only.   
Overall, a cover that has been well used in it existence, but has served well in its function as a protective sleeve.  
The paper inner sleeve is unblemished for its long existence but has splits around its edges. It depicts artists from the Reprise catalogue, with such luminaries as Frank & Nancy Sinatra, Dean Martin,The Kinks & Sony & Cher. It is best suited as an artifact of the 60s period & kept with the album for authenticity only, the record now being housed in a new paper sleeve. 
The Engineer was the veteran master, Richie Podolor & Assistant Engineer Bill Cooper.
The Art director was the prodigiously talanted Ed Thrasher & the cover Photographs were by the equally talanted Tom Tucker.
The Liner Notes were by Barbara Harris
The musicians who played on this album were :-  James Lowe,  (Lead Vocals), Autoharp, Rhythm guitar, Tambourine),  Ken Williams, (Lead Guitar), James "Weasel" Spagnola,  (Rhythm Guitar, Tracks A2 to B5   Backing & Vocals), Mike Gannon (Rhythm  Guitar, Tracks A1 & B6) Mark Tulin, (Bass, Piano, Organ), Preston Ritter, (Drums, Percession, Tracks A1,A3,A5 to B1,B3,& B4). Quint (Drums, Tracks A2,A4,B2,B5,B6) 
Released in August 1967 and recorded at “American Recording Co”, Ventura Boulevard,  Hollywood CA. It was the final album which contained any written input by the band until 1969. (Allbeit by a complete new set of musicians, using the EP name under the directive of Dave Hassinger)  It contains the two follow up singles “THE GREAT BANANA HOAX”  and “LONG DAY'S FLIGHT”  This album has far more original songs by the Prunes (9 out of 12) as Dave Hassinger was not active in the recording sessions. With more freedom, the songs reflected the (then) bands creativity and image. Using distorted sound effects, fuzz toned guitar instrumentals & experiments with a VOX organ.  James Lowe recalls, "They brought a prototype in for us, but quickly removed it, after they heard what we did with it " During recording, personal changes occurred due to illness and different musical opinions.    "Underground"  became a moderate success, reaching 172 in the national charts.  The line up of Lowe, Tulin, Williams, Quint & Gannon, embarked on a world tour, to promote the album.  The live album "Stockholm 67" (Released 30 years later in 1997) was unofficially recorded at  Konserthuset,  in Stockholm, Sweden, December 14, 1967, by an unknown individual, accidentally pressing a recording button. In response to James Lowe's refusal (upon seeing the facilitated equipment for the concert) of a request from the Swedish Broadcasting corporations sound engineers, to record the event. Well, accidents unfortunately, (or fortunately in this case) do happen !
"Underground"  was the result of the expanding creativity of the group being unfettered by the control of Producer Dave Hassinger, who did not input into the recording sessions & the groups song writing abilities being highlighted.  It's is tantalizing to think, what could have followed this release, if the group were given total control & creativity of their musical output. Unfortunatly, this was not to be. Hassinger initiated the following 3 Prunes recordings. Utilizing the creative genius of David Axelrods compositions. In "Mass in F Minor" then "Release of an Oath"   However remarkable these records were (& they were exceptional, especially the psychedelic output of Mass) The resultant issues in recording Mass, with timescales & capability, resulted in the dissolvement of the original group, to be replaced by session musicians, initiated by Axelrod. The following final album  "Just Good Old Rock & Roll"  Had a complete new line up of individuals sellected by Hassinger with a more Rock orientated output.  
In 2001 the Prunes were resurrected & produced the self released brilliant  album "Artifact"  with most of the original line up. The sleeve notes observed "This was the album we never got to make"  Three subsequent & exciting albums followed. 
Some observations on Grading :-
MINT (M) The Record is in brand new condition, no surface marks, no sound quality deteration. Records designated sealed or un-played qualify as mint.  EXCELLENT (EX) The RECORD shows some signs of being played, but with minimal lessening of sound quality. The COVER &/or packaging may show slight wear &/or creasing.  VERY GOOD (VG) The RECORD has obviously been played many times, but manifests no sound quality deterioraton. Despite noticeable surface marks &/or light scratching.  Visible wear & tear on the COVER or additional items, without major defects, is acceptable.  GOOD (G) The RECORD  has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, pehaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The COVER and contents may suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.  FAIR (F) The RECORD is still just playable, but has not been cared for propery and displays considerable  surface noise; it may even jump. The COVER and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.