Ill Wind ABC 641 Promo Flashes 1968 Boston Psych Rock
$
110
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Description
Ill Wind was from Boston, originally known as The Prophets. They invoked a very West Coast psych rock sound, and struggled getting acceptance of that sound from the local music industry. They were able to attract the interest of ABC Records, and a one record deal. This is that record and ABC's handling of it can only be described as a complete clown show. They refused to let the band participate in the mixing of the album, to the band's deep dissatisfaction with the mix. The band had commissioned artwork for the cover; ABC refused to use it - "oh, let's put you by our cool fog machine and crumple some black paper on the floor". Doesn't the band look thrilled? They mixed up the song listing on the rear cover - "Sleep" on Side 1 and "People of the Night" on Side 2 titles are switched (correctly listed on the label). The artwork on the rear cover was not properly reproduced, rendering it, for the most part, blobs of black squares/rectangles. Finally, they had a mixing flub on the first song of the second side (High Flying Bird) where, near the end, it sounds like your record has skipped and the prior 20 seconds or so is repeated, and then it sounds like your record skips again, and the same 20 seconds is played again. It is very obvious but they somehow managed to miss it. Or not care. Despite all of this, Ill Wind did gain career momentum, and played with The Who, The Rascals, Van Morrison and Moby Grape, among others. It was not enough to sustain them, and they broke up in 1969, then reformed in 1970 with some lineup shifts, and called it quits for good in 1973. Here is an original white label promo copy of the ABC album (replete with all the gaffes). This album has been counterfeited (but not a white label as far as I know) - stampers are ABCS 641A and ABCS 641B, runoff includes Bell Sound stamper. Vinyl grades VG+++: just a few superfine hairlines that do not affect playback; excellent gloss; excellent player. White promo labels grade NM, bright and clean. Outer sleeve grades VG+: ring wear front and back; a couple of dinged corners; light edge wear; "Promotion Copy" sticker on front; no splits; solid spine; graphics, photo and artwork are clear and in good shape. A solid copy of an excellent piece of late 60's psych rock, ABC warts and all!
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I ship using new packaging materials specifically designed for vinyl. I pack carefully, using pads and reinforcing the edges and corners with packing tape. I want the package to arrive in the condition it departs and do my utmost to make that happen. Shipping costs include the cost of the materials. I almost always ship within two days of a purchase, usually the next day; there will be a notice in my store if I am unable to meet that timeframe. Of course, I will combine shipping. In the event you want something you have purchased held pending the close of an upcoming auction in order that items can be shipped together, just let me know. I do not make money on packing and shipping.
I am happy to ship internationally. International shipping gets a bit more complicated, so I apologize for the length of this next section. Many buyers are not aware that eBay puts 100% of the responsibility for successful delivery on the seller; any problems or missing items are immediately charged back to the seller. For lower priced items, I use the most economical service available. Because of concerns and past problems with postal services in certain countries, in order to protect myself against loss on more expensive items, I use services with tracking/signing. I would rather not do this, since I recognize international shipping is costly enough, but it is too much risk on me for expensive items:
- For anything going anywhere up to $125, I ship by US First Class International, the least expensive US international mailing service.
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- Packages going to the UK, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the Nordics, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia or Germany will still qualify for US First Class International service up to a purchase of $250. Over $250, they also will use Priority International with tracking.
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- I am happy to consider exceptions, particularly for successful repeat international customers, but it must be agreed in advance. I know shipping costs are high, so do not hesitate to message me to discuss options (but please do it before bidding or buying).
- US Priority 12" (remember, standard US shipping is free): 1-3 12" for $12; 4-6 12" for $20; 7-9 12" for $23
- First Class International 12" (Canada $5 less): 1 12" for $21.50; 2 12" for $24; 3 12" for $28; 4 12" for $37; 5-9 12" for $52
- Priority International 12" (Canada $7 less): Depending upon your location, 1-2 LPs will cost approximately $40 to ship, 3 LPs about $45. I cannot give a precise cost since they vary by country but those estimates are reliably close.
Record Grading (always see photos!):
Note it is not possible for me to play-grade every LP. Grading is primarily visual; if I have questions about a certain marking or condition on an LP I will play specific sections to supplement the visual review. Generally, on higher dollar items, I do a full play-grading.
Mint (M): Only if sealed. Near Mint (NM): Vinyl shows very little evidence of use, retains nearly all of its original gloss, minimal markings, no warping or dishing; Labels are clean and crisp with no writing or sticker residue, no ring wear or rubbing wear, no significant spindle marking; Original sleeves are clean and square, solid spine, no writing, no splits, no ring wear, minimal edge wear. Very Good + (VG+): Vinyl shows use but has been well cared for, surface may have light scuffs or hairline non-feelable scratches that do not significantly affect playback, still has a substantial amount of gloss, may have slight dishing or small edge warp that tracks without significant tonearm bobbing, any feelable marks will be minimal and playback effect described; Labels are clean with only minor ring or rubbing wear, writing or sticker residue is discrete/minor, limited soiling and no significant stains, drill hole is OK if label is otherwise clean, graphics and logos are clear and bright; Original sleeves are clean with no more than light ring wear, light edge wear, corners are square with no more than minor dings, writing or sticker residue is discrete/minor, one small seam split would be tolerated only if rest of sleeve was very clean, light creasing, drill hole would be tolerated only if rest of sleeve was very clean. Grading is all-encompassing, so multiple flaws of the type described will drop the grade. Very Good (VG): Vinyl will show significant use with scuffing or hairline scratches but plays through without skipping (or a very minor skip will be noted), any feelable scratches are noted including the effect on playback, may have light noise particularly at the beginning (due to sloppy cueing) or in softer passages, may have slight dishing or edge warp but it will play through, may have diminished or irregular gloss, record will still provide an enjoyable listen; Labels may have significant ring or rubbing wear, lifting damage, more prominent writing or sticker residue, a drill hole, some soiling or staining; Original sleeves may have splits, ring wear or rubbing wear, significant edge wear, writing, corner dings, creasing, soiling, or drill holes. Good (G): A very infrequent grade usually only applied to rare items, or to one aspect (i.e. the sleeve) if another aspect (i.e. the vinyl) is a higher grade. Vinyl may have significant scuffing or scratching, limited gloss, significant noise on playback but will play through (with any skips noted); Labels may have glaring writing, significant ring or rubbing wear, extensive sticker residue, soiling or staining; Original sleeves (if applicable) may have significant ring wear, multiple seam splits, taping, prominent writing. I use additional pluses and minuses frequently, to fine tune the ratings. PLEASE LOOK AT THE PHOTOS - I TRY TO SHOW ALL SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONS! If you have questions or need additional photos or sound samples, just ask!
Items are guaranteed - the purchase price and all shipping costs, to and fro, are refunded if the item is returned in the same condition as dispatched (for Still Sealed items, they must be Still Sealed).
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