MAY BLITZ RARE 1st LP UK VERTIGO SWIRL MINT

$

92

MAY BLITZ : "May Blitz" LP. UK 1st PRESSING, 1970.
VERTIGO SWIRL / SPIRAL LABEL: 6360 007
MAITRIX: 6360 007 -1 - 1 / 6360 007 -2 - 1

May Blitz were formed during the early part of 1969, Tony Newman ex Jeff Beck Group was the prime mover . He recruited James Black & Reid Hudson, both Canadians from Victoria, British Columbia who pioneered Canadian West Coast music before they moved to England. The three piece band played extensively on the UK's college circuit in 1969 before signing to the newly founded Progressive label Vertigo. As with their fellow label band Black Sabbath, May Blitz's music was uncompromising heavy rock, but 1969 was still too early to be using the term "Heavy Metal". As with Black Sabbath, May Blitz were one of the first UK bands to "blitz" their audience with mind and body numbing, electric guitar, bass and drums.

James Black played the lead guitar and sang vocals, Reid Hudson also sang vocals and played the bass guitar. Tony Newman who had been the drummer with the great Jeff Beck, was now the rock solid percussion behind May Blitz. Trio's were not exactly new, but in the grand tradition of Cream etc. it required great talent, particularly from the lead guitarist. Their debut album 'May Blitz' was issued in 1970, and the brilliant artwork featured a grotesque lady drawn in cartoon form, dwarfing even a King Kong ape. A stunning first album, but like so many of Vertigo's albums, it totally failed to sell enough copies to even make a UK chart position. Vertigo were the champions of new bands and were never phased by the lack of commercial success, in 1971 May Blitz released their second LP "The 2nd Of May'". Unfortunately despite being another incredible album, the sales again were so poor, even Vertigo dropped the band, Black & Hudson returned to Canada and disappeared into oblivion. Newman played with many bands throughout the 70's including Three Man Army, Marc Bolan, David Bowie & Mick Ronson, Chris Spedding and Whitesnake. Both of their LP's have maintained a very high reputation and have always been sought after, but sadly they are now extremely rare records over 30years later. It's a shame the UK didn't give such a great band the success they so deserved.

The label's are in pristine condition with unworn spindle areas, showing that the record has been played but cared for with great affection. The record has some minor handling marks but is all in all a beautiful looking record. The sound quality is just incredible, very loud and powerful, but with all the instruments and the vocals in ultra sharp audio clarity. The entire LP plays with an absolute minimum of any surface sound, including in all of the linking grooves. The cover has minor shelf wear and a small scratch in the upper right-hand corner to the left of the Vertigo symbol as can be seen in the pictures provided below.

The back has on the bottom left corner, " 6360 007 VO Price Code". Inside the
gatefold is the most amazing artwork! Plus full LP credits, funny comments on May Blitz and four colour pictures of the band playing live on stage. The rest of the inside is in colour and the condition is as as new. I've shown all the cover's views in the pictures, inside and the outside, fully opened out. The other vital ingredient is the original 1970 Vertigo "swirl" inner sleeve, this is a real beauty, in outstanding, unsplit condition. The poly lined inside is also in perfect condition, there's just the slightest ageing to the white colour only, and a mild record impression.

Shipping on this LP is $5 within the US. All others please contact me for international shipping information. I accept Pay Pal, Money Orders and Cashier's Checks. Please feel free to contact me with any and all questions that you may have and be sure to check out my other auctions for rare and out of print LPs, 45s, CDs, books, etc., etc., etc...