JUBAL’S CHILDREN SIX-PACK TEST PRESSING THE BOMB FUNKY MOD JUBALS CHILDREN HEAR

$

25

This is a 12” double-sided 6-track 33 1/3 RPM stereo test pressing of the EP released by Jubal’s Children on a blank labeled test pressing.  The matrix numbers etched into the dead wax are: “L-22433” and “A-X3-“ and “L-22433-X” and “B-X4“.   With a little research, it appears that the A-side songs are: Doormat, Thanks A Lot For Nothing and We’re Not What We Are and the B-side songs are: The Ice Cream Man, You Did It Baby and The Bomb.  I see that these 6-songs were released on Torchlite Six-Pack in 1970 and the song The Bomb was released as a Beverly Hills Records 45.  

While I can’t find sound videos of the Torchlite EP, I’ll mention a couple interesting studio related pieces that I’m not sure if they were originally released this way or if this test pressing is the only way to find these pieces of studio drummer count-offs and studio banter.  To help clarify, here’s what I hear: there’s a drummer count-off at the beginning of Thanks A Lot For Nothing, there’s a drummer count-off at the beginning of The Ice Cream Man, and there’s 19-seconds of studio banter at the beginning of The Bomb.  I can’t say whether or not these cool studio bits are included on the original releases or if these mixes are the same or different in some way, but they are a cool look into the recording sessions.

This test pressing is in VG condition with a fair amount of storage wear and wispy scratches, along with some scuffs.  Please hear snippets of this acetate in the following media player.  I played the disc on an Ion turntable with external speakers, which has a lightweight tonearm that I believe was better suited to avoid wear and I held my iPhone centered between the speakers.  I think this captured the sound pretty accurately.   

    What you’ll hear is the beginning and the end of this test pressing and where I’ve joined those pieces may sound awkward, but it is just the edit point and not a skip.   Where you hear the dead air, that marks the next track.  

I’m in downsizing mode and this week I’m be posting 63 acetates, test pressings and other interesting and hard to find records all in separate auctions that I’ve collected over the last 30-40 years.  The range of speeds of these acetates, test pressings and records run from 16 2/3 to 33 1/3 to 45 to 78, with sizes ranging from 7” to 10” to 12” and single and double sided.  There also are quite a variety of vanity paper labels for the studios who cut these, as well as a number of them that have no paper labels, with some having grease pencil notations around the spindle hole or notations on the paper sleeve or with no writing at all.  I’ve tried to include as much information I could find on these discs, as well as through doing research and as you’ll hear, I’ve included sound samples for each.

I’ve chosen not to clean any of these acetates, test pressings or records to not cause any potential damage to these rare and fragile recordings.  With that said, if you choose to clean these yourself, you may just find that the condition and quality of the audio may be improved.  When these acetates, test pressings or records were found in an original paper sleeve whether it had important notations on it or not, I’m including it even if it is torn beyond repair and then placed the acetate in another sleeve for protection.  

Just a note for those unfamiliar with metal acetates - these records are extra heavy from the center of the record being made of metal. These records are the first versions ever cut from the master tapes or from a direct live source (even before test pressings or promo copies and have the closest sound to original source material) for the purpose of feedback on the mix or performance by those involved in the recording process or just as a document for archival purposes.  These discs were expensive to make, so very few, if no more than one are usually made and as you can imagine, these discs are quite RARE and sometimes the mixes or performances can be different from the final release, if they were even released.  Test pressings are typically made once the mix has been approved, but pressed for final review before the commercial copies are pressed.

FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: Packages are insured for free up to $200 USD, for $201 USD and over there is an additional insurance fee of $1.80 per $100 USD.  Please ask for a final total before making payment if your item(s) total $201 USD or more and I will send you the correct invoice.  I pack my records extremely well and haven’t had any damage occur due to my packing, but because it will be shipping through various hands from the US to your country, insurance is required and will be paid by the winning bidder.  Please don’t ask me to reduce the cost of the merchandise on the customs form, as that will not cover the full insured value.  I thank you for your understanding.