ALEPH "Surface Tension" LP RARE Aussie heavy complex prog

	A$		221
	$		146

ALEPH “Surface Tension” LP RARE Aussie heavy complex prog

Aleph – Surface Tension LP (orig. Australia Atlantic STEREO 600029, fold-out insert with lyrics)

Release date: May 1977 (estimated).  Recording date: January 1977.

On offer here is an EXTREMELY RARE original issue of the only album by Sydney-based rock band, ALEPH.  Musically we’re talking HEAVY SYMPHONIC ROCK with dramatic female lead vocals, inventive use of guitar, keyboards & synths, complex arrangements and a fully-blown production.  A truly amazing effort by a band that originated from a country town in northern New South Wales.

THIS ALBUM SEPARATES THE PRETENDERS FROM THE CONTENDERS IN THE PROG ROCK SWEEPSTAKES.

Check out the YouTube link below!

weblinks:

(1) Alex Gitlin’s Music Site - www.alexgitlin.com/npp/aleph.htm

(2) Sound clip “Mountaineer” - www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjRbBgRTTjY

SIDE 1

1.          Banshee (5:40)                                      Writ: Ron Carpenter

2.         Man Who Fell (5:45)                              Writ: Ron Carpenter

3.         Morning (4:14)                                       Writ: Ron Carpenter

4.         (You Never Were A) Dreamer (4:18)     Writ: Ron Carpenter

SIDE 2

1.          Mountaineer (14:38)                              Writ: Ron Carpenter

2.         Heaven’s Archaepelago (6:36)               Writ: Ron Carpenter

PERSONNEL

     Mary Jane Carpenter     lead vocals, keyboards

     Joe Walmsley                 lead vocals

     David Froggatt               guitars, vocals

     David Highet                  bass

     Mary Hansen                  keyboards, synthesizers

     Ron Carpenter                percussion

Recorded at Albert Studios in Sydney—Australia.

Produced by Aleph & Paul Goodwin.  Engineered by Paul Goodwin.

GRADING (also refer photos)

Cover (matt finish):

VG++ minor handling wear with light ring-wear (mainly top & bottom) and some rubbing, creasing, scuffing along bottom seam (VG), spine & top seam (VG++)

fold-out insert (with lyrics): EX minor handling wear, few spot stains, light vertical fold through one side.

Record:

EX+ visual: beautiful glossy sheen—exceptional overall, few hairlines only; audible: sounds great despite some underlying surface noise (more noticeable during the quieter moments), many dealers would grade disc as M-; Aussie 1970’s WEA vinyl product was manufactured with recycled material, therefore some underlying surface noise is unavoidable; labels: HARDLY ANY SPINDLE WEAR.

GRADING DESCRIPTION

COVER

M:      Absolutely NEW—perhaps still in shrink-wrap.

M-:    Slightly less than MINT.

EX:    Very light wear and/or creasing—defects will be noted.

VG++: Slightly less than EXCELLENT.

VG+:   Slightly better than VERY GOOD.

VG:     Some ring-wear and other signs of aging are apparent—defects will be noted.

VG-:   Slightly less than VERY GOOD.

G:       More obvious ring-wear, seam-splits, stains etc—defects will be noted.

M=MINT, EX=EXCELLENT, VG=VERY GOOD, G=GOOD

NB: Brackets indicate the cover is between one grade and another—eg. VG+(+).

RECORD

M:      Absolutely NEW—perhaps still in shrink-wrap.

M-:    Slightly less than MINT.

EX:    Very light scuffs.  Record played infrequently, with little or no reduction in sound quality.

VG++: Slightly less than EXCELLENT.

VG+:   Slightly better than VERY GOOD.

VG:     Lightly scuffed/marked record, with acceptable sound quality—defects will be noted.

VG-:   Slightly less than VERY GOOD.

G:       More obvious scratches, with some deterioration in sound quality—defects will be noted.

M=MINT, EX=EXCELLENT, VG=VERY GOOD, G=GOOD

NB: Brackets indicate the record is between one grade and another—eg. VG+(+).

Shipping, payment details and returns policy

After close of Auction: (1) the total amount owing including postage and handling will be provided to the winning bidder; and (2) PAYMENT WILL BE EXPECTED WITHIN 4 DAYS.  If you feel that you need more time to make payment, please let me know up-front so that we can make another arrangement.  DO NOT SEND PAYMENT UNTIL I FORWARD YOUR INVOICE.  Thank you!

The minimum method of overseas postage that I use is STANDARD AIRMAIL PARCEL POST.  However, all items over $AUD100 will require registration or insurance with a tracking number.  This is to be paid for by the successful bidder.

PayPal is the preferred method of payment.  This ensures that you receive your item sooner.

For successful Australian bidders, I also accept: (1) direct deposit, (2) postal money order, or (3) personal/bank cheque—item/s will be sent after payment has cleared.

I offer a 100% money-back guarantee (excluding postage costs), if you are genuinely unhappy with the grading of an item.  The SAME item must be returned in the SAME condition, within one week of receipt.  Returns will not be accepted without prior consultation and approval.

Thanks for looking!  I am happy to answer any questions related to this item.