Artist: CONTINUUM

Title: "Autumn Grass" (Original 1971 UK RCA Vinyl LP) 

Format: Vinyl LP - Original 1971 UK RCA Victor Records Issue,Housed In It's Stunning Textured Gatefold Cover, Of The ULTRA RARE And Beautiful Progressive Rock Album By CONTINUUM Entitled "AUTUMN GRASS". This Wonderful,Haunting And Timeless LP Is Entirely Instrumental,With Long Complex Tracks,Combining Stunning Organ,Flute And Guitar Interplay. At Times This Superb Underground Prog Album Reminding One Of Fellow UK Progsters Gentle Giant and Third Ear Band .  

CONTINUUM : Yoel Schwarcz (Classical Guitar,Flute,Harmonica,Recorder,Saxophone) ; Tim Rice (Organ,Piano) ; Peter Billam (Bass Guitar,Electric Guitar) ; Harvey Troupe (Drums)

Tracklisting:

Side 1 :

1.Byrd Pavan (9:17) 

2.Vivaldi Synthesis Two (2:20)

3.Overdraft (11:10)

Side 2 :

1.Autumn Grass (26:15)

Country / Label / Catalogue Number: UK : RCA Victor Records : SF 8196

Release Date: 1971 - Original UK Orange Label RCA Victor Records First Edition Heavyweight Vinyl Pressing,Housed In A Quite Superb Classical Early 70's Gatefold Cover.  

Condition:

Gatefold Sleeve: Excellent (Very Minor Light Wear) 

Labels : Mint- (Clean And Unmarked With No Writing Or Stickers)   

Vinyl: Side 1: (Excellent)  /  Side 2: (Very Good + With A Visible Thin Hairline Paper Scuff Running Across The 2nd Side, You Cannot Feel It And There Is No Clicking,Jumps Or Sticks. In The Quieter Moments There Is Some Low Level Surface Noise)   

Comments: On offer here, from my own early 1970's UK progressive rock  collection,is a VERY RARE original RCA Victor records copy of the superb 2nd CONTINUUM album "AUTUMN GRASS" released in 1971.Continuum's “Autumn Grass” is a criminally underrated album from the early 1970’s, featuring absolutely stunning avant-garde jazz influenced,complex progressive underground rock played by four highly talented and inventive musicians. The feature (title) track was at the time of the album’s release one of the longest single tracks to appear on one side of an LP, running to some 26 minutes!

The band was the brain-child of Yoel Schwarcz. Despite the fact that they only ever made two albums, he is the only person to be a band member for both (although the others who played on the first album appear as guests here).
Side one consists of three tracks, all developed through live performances before being committed to vinyl. The opening "Byrd Pavan" is an improvisation on Byrd's "Earl of Salisbury Pavan" combined with Purcell's "Air On A Ground Bass". The band add a jazz dimension to the Elizabethan flavoured "Pavan", with the organ work of Tim Rice being particularly dominant. "Vivaldi Synthesis 2" is an adaptation of Vivaldi's "Guitar Concerto", with synthesised strings backing. This piece was later revived by the Yes guitarist Steve Howe on his "Steve Howe album".

As mentioned previously, the inordinately long title track occupies the whole of side two. Composed by Patric Standford specifically for the band, the sleeve described the track as "a ritualistic invocation". Various guest musicians contribute to the suite, notably the Olympus Strings cello section. The highlight though is the wonderful flute of Yoel Schwarcz. About midway through the track, he picks out a baroque melody with sparse accompaniment. This theme is used as the basis for a developing improvisation with ever increasing backing driving the flute to a frantic crescendo, before the main theme restores order.

Continuum's "Autumn Grass" stands as a truly remarkable progressive work,criminally overlooked at the time of its release,but is now,due to the superb music contained in it's grooves,amongst the most highly sought after British underground avant-garde progressive albums from the early 70's.Here is a rare opportunity to obtain an original UK RCA records vinyl pressing of this classic Continuum lp.       

This extremely rare CONTINUUM vinyl LP would be a fine addition to any serious UK progressive rock collection.

Please Check Out My Other Original Progressive / Psychedelic / Rock LP's Currently Listed On eBay. I Can Combine Shipping Multiple Items To Save On Postage Costs.

Thank you very much for dropping by! And ..... Good Luck! 

Packing Procedures: All items are securely and well packed in top quality packing material to avoid any unnecessary damage during transit . I aim to dispatch within 48 hours of receiving payment . It is recommended that you choose the option for recorded delivery ( within UK ) or registered delivery ( for Europe and Rest of the World) . I cannot be held responsible for items lost or damaged that are not shipped by recorded / registered mail . I obtain a certificate of posting for every item sent .

Shipping Cost: 

UK - £3 First Class

UK - £3.65 First Class Recorded Delivery 

Europe - £4 Air Mail

USA / Canada - £6 Air Mail

Australia / Japan / ROW - £7 Air Mail

PAYMENT

I prefer payment via PayPal, either in UK or US currency. I also accept UK cheques & PO's.

Immediately after the auction the buyer will receive an email from PayPal. If you decide to pay via PayPal, you may use the postage costs below to calculate and pay the total amount due. If you are unsure of the total amount please email me.

If you would prefer to pay using another method of payment, please email me within 3 days for additional information.

Payment MUST be received within 10 days. If you cannot make this deadline please contact me BEFORE bidding so we can make prior arrangements (e.g. if your going on holiday etc), otherwise do not bid!

WORLDWIDE POSTAGE & PACKING

All items are carefully packed and shipped within 48 hours of payment. I will ship WORLDWIDE. Buyer pays for all shipping costs (See Below). If buyer wins multiple items, I will combine shipment to reduce postage costs. Please email me for shipping quotes for multi win sales. 

UK POSTAGE COSTS

7" = £1.50      LP = £3.00      CD = £1.50     

Any UK item can be sent via recorded delivery and insured up to £34 .This option is available at an extra cost of 65p.Any item can be sent via special delivery with insurance up to £500, which is available for £5.Special Delivery is highly recommended for high value items.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE COSTS

EUROPE              

7" = £2.50      LP = £4.00      CD = £2.00  

USA / CANADA             

7" = £3.00      LP = £6.00      CD = £2.50 

JAPAN / AUSTRALIA / ROW

7" = £3.50      LP = £7.00      CD = £3.00  

The above international shipping costs only include standard airmail. Tracking and insurance is available for an additional £4,which is highly recommended for high value items!! If tracking and insurance is not obtained, once the item is mailed, I no longer accept any responsibility for delivery. I will keep a proof of posting receipt, which will complete our transaction.

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I will leave negative feedback when necessary.

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