KRAFTWERK – RARE ORIG UK 1972 VERTIGO SPIRAL EX++ LPs. SUPERB PRESSING & SOUND.

	£		238
	$		315

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Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all – in fact I think these things should be banned as records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS. Full details nearer the end of the listing.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business. I will always keep my P&P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get. My P&P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.

FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and ‘0’ bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band:KRAFTWERK

Album Title: Kraftwerk

Producer(s): Conny Plank; Ralf Hütter; Florian Schneider.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Ruckzuck; Stratovarius.

Side 2: Megaherz; Vim Himmel Hoch.

Side 3: Klingklang; Atem.

Side 4: Strom; Spule; Wellenlange; Harmonika.

Label/Format: Vertigo – Original UK Spiral format with matt, smooth surfaces. This is a rare UK one, please note the ‘Made in England’ on the labels just in case of any doubts.

Label Conditions: All four look hugely impressive: ultra clean, fresh and attractive with spindle marks ranging from light to minuscule. The most on side two, but even here few with just a couple or three on two others, and barely even a trace on one, all being fine and light. The two small Swirl sides are both still very white without toning or barely any handling traces. This one of the very few copies of this on Spiral, and I doubt if I will see or hear a better example.

Country of Manufacture: England

Cat Number: Records: 6499268/69 Cover: 6641 077.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of these Record: 125 / 128 grams. Fine solid weights, typical for Vertigo at this time.

Rarity & Info: Originally issued in Germany as two separate single albums, being their first and second. In the UK it was issued originally as a double set on the Vertigo Spiral label as seen here. But only pressed in very small numbers for a very brief time, this being a quite a late Swirl album, and like so many of these experimental German bands at the time, it failed to sell. Outside Germany, this pioneering and highly influential band were little known at this time and this immensely scarce double Vertigo set has always been elusive. Briefly available only, then repressed on the Spaceship format and initially in the same laminated covers until they ran out. In the genre of German progressive rock, this is one of the most important and pioneering sets ever issued, and this one does it supreme justice with quite magnificent sound with very little unwanted. Also I regard this as one of most challenging pressings in the entire Spiral catalogue due to the amount of very quiet passages included in the music. In all respects, this is a very hard one just to find, let alone in this type of condition.

Original Year of Release: 1970 in Germany but this was not issued in the UK until 1972, initially on the Spiral label in tiny numbers, then subsequently repressed on the more familiar spaceship label.

Matrix Nos: 6499268 1Y // 1 420 1 1 1 & 6499268 2Y // 1 420 05 1 1 7 & 6499269 1Y // 1 420 1 1 2 & 6499269 2Y // 1 420 1 1 2

So What is Krautrock and its Rarity?: ‘Krautrock’ was an affectionate term given to a new wave of young German bands in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Before the emergence of these pioneering experimental rock and electronic artists, the German music scene was a real mess of sugary pop music. Out of this fog of a musical mire, a very new sound emerged as radical and as daring as anything ever heard. Whereas in the UK, rock music was very much blues or psych-based, but these young long-haired, pioneering German musicians played music that was very different. They opened new musical horizons and boundaries into the use of sound as entertainment. Several were classically trained musicians – some could barely play an instrument at all. Far too weird and experimental for most, many were into avant garde territory, but this German underground scene was admired by many and loved by a small number of record buyers of the time. The sounds they created were often challenging and difficult, but unique and were highly influential for the development of music. Some used conventional instruments, some delved into electronics and some used unconventional devices to form sound. A few became successful even outside Germany with the odd hit single or two, but some did not compromise and never sort commercial success. Although there were others, the best-known of the early experimental Krautrock bands were: Kraftwerk, Can, Faust, Amon Duul II, Neu, Popul Vuh, Guru Guru, Kluster and Tangerine Dream. All are worth checking out – they made some of the most groundbreaking music in rock and their importance is beyond any dispute. In terms of rarity, these early albums are never easy to find especially in top conditions, they sold in relatively small numbers and are seldom seen or offered, especially in high grading conditions.

Musicians: Ralf Hütter – organ, tubon; Florian Schneider – flute, violin, electric percussion; Andreas Hohmann – drums; Klaus Dinger – drums.

Brief Info: One of the most groundbreaking double albums ever issued within the underground rock scene. These two albums were initially issued in their native Germany as single albums, being their first and second proper releases. Not issued until 1972 in the UK as a double combined album as probably deemed too uncommercial. It very briefly appeared on the Vertigo Spiral label as a double set with a different cover and then repressed on the spaceship format. Initial Swirl copies included a laminated cover, but most-all Spaceships had the new reprinted matt version with the new number. Kraftwerk remain one of the most pioneering bands in this history of ‘progressive’ music. After making one album with The Organisation, Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider formed Kraftwerk and their early music was little short of remarkable. Very experimental, compelling with the emphasis on supreme sound and orginality, no-one else really sounded quite like them. Largely ignored until the surprise success of their ‘Autobahn’ album, their early works sold in only small numbers. Purchased by the curious and musically more adventurous, these early works are still very elusive and seldom found. With few tracks, these early longer pieces still sound as fresh and innovative as they did when first issued. This is connoisseur quality Krautrock before their sound developed and commercialised into more ‘techno’ music that become very popular. Their influence was vast and their music development and sound is still highly respected today – David Bowie is a big name admirer, his ‘Berlin’ trilogy albums of the 1970s was based around the ‘Krautrock’ scene. For the connoisseurs, it’s their early experimental works that are the most appreciated. Many will know the tracks ‘Ruckzuck’ and ‘Klingklang’ but for me the best here is the very intense ‘Vom Himmel Hoch’. This sounds like an electronic air-raid with eerie bombers buzzing across the speakers and then delivering their cargo with large explosions. I can strongly recommend the DVD ‘History of Kraftwerk’ that shows a video of this song to maximum effect. This DVD covers all the early pioneering Krautrock bands from their very beginning and how they developed the modern sound of electronic music - it’s truly essential. For fans of this captivating style of music, few are more imporant than ‘Kraftwerk’. Conditionwise, this very rare UK Spiral original is a beauty and it looks hardly played with two near immaculate records and the cover close to. Very well pressed the very least unwanted sounds I have yet heard on this expansive double set. I confidently predict few, if indeed any will ever play ‘silent’, with just the odd sporadic tick or crackle hint, this is probably as close as you will ever find. Will a much better example be put on the open market? – well do not hold your breath too long.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(+): and that hardly does this one full justice. An outside laminated gatefold format, the inside is matt and smooth. All the closed edges are laminate protected but only the top edges sees the laminate go inside the gatefold. This was printed and made in England, uncredited. It has totally different artwork to the German single albums. The two mirror-image Swirl inner sleeves are also included, these correctly having the later softer, thinner lining.

Lamination – Front & Back: This cover, when seen, is unusually unlaminated and has spaceship label records inside. The Spiral first issue sleeve was laminated outside. The laminate retains excellent shine, freshness and clarity with few marks or creases, and any dulling also gentle and light. Gatefold doubles are notorious for ringwear, any mild dulling seen under light around the rim areas, but almost as light as will get. No lifting or peeling, adhesion is very fine and the graphic retains it’s deep colour. A faint thumb semi-crease on the back near the left edge is very minor. A difficult cover, the outsides remain impressive and very nice looking.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Barely any real wear at all, this looks impressive overall as well. A couple of mild handling traces on the matt black surface – covers have to be held to open and view of course – but appears to have happened little on this one. The laminate ends on the top edges are in superb condition, so often these stick together and pull when closed, this has NOT happened on this copy. A very fine centrefold to match the quality outside.

Top & Bottom Edges: All four unworn and straight with full laminate cover and as smooth as when issued, not even a single scuff or chip.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, all mainly sharp with minimal wear. Viewed end-on, a little thickening here-and-there, but this card is very thin and few will look better left as nature intended. These entrance edges are all guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced in any way.

Spine and Text: A superb spine: very solid, straight with minimal real compression. Also folded very square, so the edges meet up closely and parallel. One that will always form a natural crease as the inside hinge is quite raised, which so often leads to laminate cracking and peeling, just like the standard Sgt Pepper spines that far more will know compared to this. It retains as close to full laminate coverage as you will ever see, practically entire with NO cracking at all, this is super-smooth to the fingertip. And ever better news, the fragile text is just slightly low of centre, so has NOT sunken into any natural recess, thus all is visible, easily read and totally unworn. Even the fold hinges are immaculate, unscuffed or chipped, again ultra smooth to the touch. Spine on this cover are rarely seen like this.

Corners: All corners in very neat and crisp condition with any tip rubbing tiny and light. The odd tiny tip crease being critical with excellent or better shape retained with no knocks or dinks.

Cover Summary: A very impressive all-round example of this very rare original format Spiral cover, one that will prove very difficult to find much better. With so few blemishes, it will prove incredibly difficult to find better and it should please many, if not most collectors.

The Inner Sleeves: Both EXCELLENT: and this being somewhat harsh. Only marked down for the usual age discolouration of the seam adhesive areas and one minor edge seam split I repaired to stop it widening. So in terms of real wear, very little. A mirror-image Swirl pair with the same text details for each (311) and including the correct softer, later lining as seen through four perfect, undamaged window circles. Minimal creasing and the edges all now sound and intact. So appearing a little aged – but giving that reassuring comfort of originality. This is the way many collectors like them.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(++) to MINT(–): with any surface marks or fine blemishes very few, faint and very light indeed – hardly any, and viewed under bright angled light. Indeed this are a near immaculate pair of records, I am certain I will never see or hear a better example. An amazing visual set that are ultra clean with impressive lustre, shine and solidly pressed. One of the most difficult, and fast disappearing late Swirl albums, these records could prove a near ultimate upgrade for some lucky owners and most collectors and fans should treasure them.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: These records play up to their high visual grading with very little to fault – any unwanted sounds almost conspicuous by their absence. The odd minor gentle tick or crackle hint being the absolute minimum anyone could ever expect from this hugely complex and challenging double set. But there is hardly any ‘contact’ noise at all for a pair pressed almost to German classical standards. Both records offer superb, audiophile sound with all frequencies sharp and clear - sound quality is immense with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. A genuine high fidelity recording that will make any system excel. Any surface sounds are minimal indeed, indeed, this is without doubt the quietest pressed copy I have heard to date on any label. And for those unfamiliar, this is a set with some very quiet passages indeed and silence is a near impossible ask. One track just features eerie breathing sounds that will test any vinyl record to the limit. There are no inherent pressing noises or faults with perfect, effortless tracking*. I have in the past heard the odd cutting rasp or pressing noise, but none were detected on this original Swirl. Both are exceptional clean pressings, the playing surfaces resemble a classical set rather than a ‘rock’ title. For utmost enjoyment of this complex double set, pressing quality has to be of the highest quality, this more than passes the test – unless pure ‘silence’ is mandatory – and good luck with that. This album has some lengthy quiet segments, some almost silent at times, the utmost test for any record – it will take something extraordinary just to match let alone better this significantly. Given the year of issue, around the oil crisis time where many records pressing quality suffered, this has NOT been affected and practically nothing spoiled my pleasure play-grading this groundbreaking set. Both records pressed on the purest vinyl, the ultimate proof apart from sound, is the super clean blackness of the vinyl surfaces that have no mottle or impurities seen at all. Without any doubt, hardly played and clearly well stored and carefully handled. A pioneering classic of the German underground scene, it’s importance in the history of ‘progressive’ and electronic music cannot be overstated. Play this at volume with confidence and hear the full impact of this audio delight. This is not commercial Kraftwerk, this is experimental underground music from two masters of the art. They set standards in sound technology and audio quality that still impresses today. Pre-Autobahn experimental Kraftwerk at their absolute best. This truly is a Spiral classic that will rarely surface or be seen or heard better, unreserved recommendation to all with an ear to listen.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean it’s good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is minuscule in over 14 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE – they offer next-to-no-protection, and should be banned, no ‘professional’ should consider using them in my opinion. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.