THE MILLENIUM Begin 1968 LP NEAR MINT in shrink w/ insert pop-psych classic

$

135

                   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This is a RECORD LP....NOT a CD

We play-grade all our records, unlike some sellers who "visually grade" 

Please page down to read our grading guide - it's based on Goldmine Magazine standards (pretty much the originators of record condition grading)

•  
• APOLOGIES FOR ANY BLURRINESS or FLASH CAMERA GLARE IN THE IMAGES - couldn't be helped

ARTIST / TITLE / LABEL:   The Millenium  /  Begin  /  Columbia Records, "360 Sound" stereo  /  catalog no. CS 9663  / original 1968 U.S. issue, including the insert, with the shrink wrap still intact

The matrix numbers read XSM 13542 and 13543, followed by 1C on both sides, marking this as the first pressing. 

The Millennium's Begin remains a landmark release of the 1960's "sunshine pop" (with psychedelic undertones) genre.  Created by ahead-of-his-time production man Curt Boettcher (who had previously been instrumental in the formation of the '60s cult acts The Ballroom and Sagittarius), The Millenium was a studio group-only incarnation, with Begin its only release.  

In 1968, Boettcher assembled a group of talented California singers and musicians (including singer/guitarists Lee Mallory, Sandy Salisbury, Joey Stec and Michael Fennelly and Music Machine drummer Ron Edgar) to record Begin with co-producer Keith Olsen, assisted by already-a-legend Gary Usher. 

What emerged is now considered a Progressive Pop Opus, if you will, combining breezy melodies with baroque and psychedelic touches.  The harmonies have been compared with The Beach Boys, and, indeed, one listen will make you wonder if this isn't some long-lost Brian Wilson project.

At the time it was the most expensive pop-rock album in Columbia record's history, and a major flop at that, since it proved too melodic and un-hip for progressive rock FM and too out-there for Top 40.  If you were around at the time, probably the first time you saw this head-scratcher in the record bins it was already a cut-out, at reduced price; for all intents and purposes, it shipped that way to stores.

Begin has accurately been called "an absolute must for any fan of '60s pop and vintage psychedelia".

Description / Condition:  A record LP that plays in overall NEAR MINT condition (SIDE 1 has  a bit of between-track ultra-minor surface noise - no surface noise is heard during the songs themselves - and SIDE 2 plays solid NEAR MINT; ultra-clean labels; glossy vinyl, like new). 

The record is housed in a VERY GOOD PLUS condition cover (still in its original shrink wrap, but with a cut-out hole and some minor discoloration at the upper edge of the back - please see the last image we have included here; also note that there are two old store stickers on the shrink wrap at the front).

STRICT GRADING

The double-sided insert sheet, itself quite rare, has one tiny bent corner and the very lightest of age-toning; no other flaws; we'll grade it Very Good Plus

SHIPPING WEIGHT = 1 lb., 6 oz.

Buy with confidence but ask questions before you buy.   Check the postage rates below, and yes...we combine postage if you're purchasing more than one item from us. Thank you.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This is a RECORD LP....NOT a CD

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CONDITION GRADING key (GOLDMINE MAGAZINE standards):

MINT (M) : Absolutely perfect in every way. Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.

NEAR MINT (NM): A nearly perfect record. Many sellers won't give a grade higher than this, implying (perhaps correctly) that no record is ever truly perfect. Basically, an LP in NM condition looks as if you just got it home from a record store and opened it. The NM record should show no signs of wear. The LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits or other similar defects; no cut-out holes, saw marks, staples, or indentations [all such are signs of being an overstock item, that is, taken out of print by the manufacturer or distributor and re-marketed to retailers at a discount].  The same should be true of any inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves and the like (or else these should be graded separately).

VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+): A Very Good Plus record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by someone who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experiences.

Slight warps that do not affect the sound are "OK", but should be pointed out to a buyer.

The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but such should be barely noticeable. The center hole will not have been misshapen by repeated play. Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turned up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs of wear as well, and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or cut corner,
indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount.

In general, if not for a couple things wrong with it, a VG+ condition record and cover would be graded Near Mint. Correctly graded, Very Good Plus records are highly sought after by most collectors.

VERY GOOD (VG): Many of the slight defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as possibly will be light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail), that will
affect the sound.

Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers.

However, a VG item DOES NOT have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.

GOOD (G), GOOD PLUS (G+): Good does not mean Bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear (on a styrene record, the groove will be starting to turn white).

A "G" condition cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object.

FAIR/POOR: Only the rarest of the rare items are even slightly acceptable in this shape, and even those sell for 1/10th the price of the same thing in VG or VG+

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________