MICHAEL GARRICK - HEART IS A LOTUS IAN CARR DON RENDELL

	£		107
	$		142

The Heart is a Lotus - The Michael Garrick Sextet with Norma Winstone (1970). Original Argo Stereo 1st Press ZDA 135

Side One Matrix No. ZRG-3337-1G

Side Two Matrix No. ZRG-3338-1G

Graphis Press Limited Sleeve: VG, Original Stereo U.K Patents Applications

Inner-sleeve: Near Mint, Vinyl: Excellent  

http://www.discogs.com/release/609890

“The music - all composed, along with the words, by Garrick - has great variety and surprise, though his penchant for writing beautiful and rather melancholy melodies sets the predominant mood. It is superbly performed and, very importantly, its rich emotional textures are wonderfully captured by the sound engineer, Kevin Daly.

Four instrumentalists are heard on all the pieces: Garrick himself, Trevor Tomkins, Ian Carr and Art Themen. On other tracks, Jim Philip or Don Rendell are added on reeds, and Dave Green and Colerdige Goode share the double-bas role. All of them have there moments of high inspiration. It’s Dave Green who plucks so resonantly on Song by the sea and Voices; it’s Goode who bows so sadly on Beautiful Thing. Themen and Rendell are the tenor saxophones is almost orgasmic duet on Torrent, and Philip’s is the mellow sax backed march-style drumming on Rustat’s Grave Song. Carr plays especially effectively with mutes, on Temple Dancer as well as Song by the Sea and Blues on Blues.  

The unusual is the typical flavour of Garrick’s music. He’s moved on a long way. It’s been a journey worth taking”. Derek Jewell, Jazz/Pop Critic, The Sunday Times (Taken from sleeve-notes).

About the Record

When taking the aforementioned names are taken into account, you’ll realise this album features the finest line-up in British Jazz. As a result the music is totally mesmerizing. It recently featured in Record Collectors essential modern British Jazz article (Part 2). This album highlights Garrick’s genius and his ability to take music and the listener to another place.

Original Michael Garrick LP’s on Argo are extremely rare. I purchased this many moons ago from a BBC record fair in London. At time the BBC were clearing there Library and vaults of vinyl and needless to say collectors from all over the world descended on the capital.

Sleeve & Inner Sleeve

As you can see from the pictures, the reverse of the sleeve (which has been laminated to protect it) has the “BBC Gramophone Library” stamp in the top left hand corner. The record labels are also stamped. “Stereo Record” is stamped on the top right-hand corner and the number four is circled. The front of the sleeve is clean but there is creasing present on the laminate. There is also the out-line of what must have been a BBC library label on the right-hand side. The spine is near mint. Overall, I have graded the sleeve as VG due to the BBC stamps and laminate lift in places. However, as you can see from the pictures the sleeve is strong with minimal wear and tear and still looks very nice. It comes with its original Stereo U.K Applications No. 43212/68 inner sleeve which is in near mint condition with no rips, tears or staining.     

Vinyl

Visually the heavy-weight vinyl looks near mint retaining all its original lustre. It’s been graded as EX because the clarity of the instrumentation is superb and Norma Winstone’s vocal soars. However, there are occasional pops during playback and some surface noise during the quieter moments. There are only two small surface marks on Side two and that’s it. In summary this is an original landmark British jazz recording. It should be heard as it was intended with all the depth and warmth that only vinyl can provide.      

I am collector & seller of classic vintage vinyl so please bid with confidence. More pictures can be provided on request. Please enclose an email address in doing so. Payment is accepted via Cheque (UK residents only) & Paypal. Airmail shipping to Europe is £4.50. Australia, Japan, U.S.A is £7.50. All other international bidders please contact me for Airmail shipping rates. All LP’s are shipped in card mailers with protective inserts.