THIRD EAR BAND - Elements - RARE Orig UK Harvest N/M LP

	£		34
	$		45

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Artist or Band: THIRD EAR BAND

Album Title: Third Ear Band – Elements.

Producer(s): Andrew King.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Air; Earth.

Side 2: Fire; Water.

Label/Format: Harvest – yellow and green format with no EMI logo. This beautiful original will never be found better.

Label Conditions: The word ‘Beautiful’ is not sufficient for this pair - both are factory fresh and look practically brand new. Fresh and ultra clean and apart from a microscopic spindle trace on side two, I would say both Mint. Only rarely do the early Harvest originals show up looking quite like this, clearly hardly handled and worth a second look. (Please see my label scan).

Cat Number: SHVL 773.

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 this Record: 131 grams. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 135 to 145 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams. Some records pressed around 1973 were very thin and light due an oil crisis and shortage around this time. Some records were even issued on recycled vinyl from this period and sounded poor with crackle and surface noise evident from the very first play. If any record I buy is deemed ‘recycled’, I will never offer it, I have a very simple test to detect these records if I suspect this to be the case other than audible imperfection. Some records from this period were even pressed on other materials the most notable was ‘Dynaflex’, used by RCA around this time. Although inferior to vinyl, this at least mostly sounded reasonably acceptable but pressings on this material were wafer thin and flimsy. Beyond the 70s, many records often became thinner and lighter still but most played fine but were never quite the quality as from the ‘Golden Era’]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 50 records from these eras.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Quite rare and if anyone has a better early pressed pre-EMI copy than this, I sure would like to see it. I have never seen or will ever see a better visual or sounding copy of this incredible record. A world-class reference standard example for the serious Harvest collector and connoisseur.

Original Year of Release: 1970

Matrix Nos: SHVL 773 A-1 / SHVL 773 B-1

Stamper Codes: 1 O / 1 O (within the first 1,500 ever pressed).

Brief Artist & Album Info: One of the scarcest albums on Harvest, and certainly one of the lowest selling bands on this famous progressive label - this music is uncommercial and is more for the connoisseur. The inner gatefold states: File under POPULAR: Pop Groups - wrong (laugh) - File under: Uncommercial Instrumental. The Third Ear Band were a four piece unit: Percussion, Glen Sweeney; Oboe, Paul Mimms; Violin, viola, Richard Coff and Cello, Ursula Smith. Minimalist music, boarding on progressive chamber music, probably not quite avant garde, compelling and at times challenging, this band were very original and quite possibly unique but had little commercial potential. This album, their second is split into four long instrumentals, Air, Earth, Fire and Water - the essential elements. This copy is gorgeous and it is the only copy I have ever heard that plays through entirely perfect and devoid of distortion or unwanted sounds. It’s an original pre-EMI copy pressed on quite heavy vinyl, it is immaculate with a pristine clean record and a cover in supreme condition too – this had been played just once and stored and handled with the utmost care. This is truly one for the serious Harvest collector and audiophile listener, it shows up rarely these days, this really would have sold in small amounts - pop music this isn’t. This is very much mood music with bags of atmosphere and great sound, quite eerie and intense, but reasonably melodic. Go on be brave and adventurous, The Third Ear Band deserve to be heard, they dared to be different and were never going to be superstars with obscure albums like this, and for that alone I admire them, in fact I love this album which I personally regard as their best. They should not be just regarded as an obscure Harvest rarity.

Cover Grade and Format: Mint(-) with any blemishes minuscule. A beautiful item that is almost an insult to criticise in any way, any wear or blemishes are tiny and this looks fantastic bordering on stunning. It’s a gatefold format, laminated front and back. Printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse, with the patents pending text. For those seeking near perfection, this could be the one you have been waiting for.

Lamination – Front & Back: Absolutely beautiful with a very deep glossy shine and no dulling or friction rubs at all. This is one of the shiniest Harvest covers I have seen for a while and it stands out brilliantly. Even under angled light, this has a glass-like sheen and even finding surface trace marks is proving difficult. Clearly cover protected with no abrasions to the surface at all – the only surface blemish is a tiny chip near the bottom right edge (but look hard to see it). Apart from the lustrous shine, two other factors make this laminate exceptional: the total lack of lifting, both sides are fully adhered with no blisters at all. Also the lack of creasing, a very few tiny and faint edge hairlines that few covers will ever avoid and just one faint half moon on the front, this is nigh-on invisible too. The odd corner-tip blemish but by anyone’s standard, this is a beautiful example and the lovely purple artwork is seen to maximum advantage through this totally unaged laminate. With the closest of scrutiny a faint gripper pattern can just be seen from the manufacture line which is nothing to do with wear or blemishing, simply part of the production process. The faintest trace of a record rim impression can (just) be seen on the back again with correct angled viewing. When the rare covers are found in such remarkable conditions, they are thing of real beauty and not to be dismissed lightly. Well worth another look.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Reference standard – blemishes? – well I can just see one ultra faint surface crease and that’s about it. Even the matt black surfaces have NO fingermarks, doubt if a finger has ever touched these surfaces.

Top Edges: Unworn and straight as new.

Bottom Edge: Same again with just a tiny tip rub, front right.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, very sharp with little wear and no feathering. Record entered on right outside back edge.

Spine and Text: Absolutely superb again: Solid, dead straight, uncompressed and square, both right edges meeting up very closely and parallel too. All text is pristine perfect and unworn under the very solid and uncracked laminate. A mildest of surface creases has just about formed from being opened (impossible to avoid unless never opened, likely eh?)

Corners: The spine pair are little short of perfect. The right sets have the odd tiny tip crease and minuscule tip rub. All retain fantastic neat shape.

Cover Summary: A stunning all round example of this fragile early 70’s cover, one that will prove almost impossible to find much better. This amazing item should please all collectors.

The Inner: Mint(-), the came to me in a plain white polylined inner. Patent Nos 1125555 and 1072844 and ‘Made in Great Britain’ text. Its in EX++ condition with nothing more than mild ruffles and a super clean window. Devoid of ageing and edge splits.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: Grading this Mint(-) is hardly doing a near 40-year-old record full justice, this could easily pass for new and being honest, I have seen brand new records with more surface marks than this. A record with two immaculate playing surfaces and devoid of a mark worthy of the word. A supreme visual copy. Super clean, shiny, intense black and very solidly pressed. This looks really incredible and will remind those of a certain age, what this once looked like when first purchased back in 1970. A copy barely even run-in in vinyl terms. Visually a super record that should please all collectors again.

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 snippetts 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 miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This rare Harvest record plays up to its high visual grading with nothing to fault – a very bold statement for one of Harvest’s most unforgiving titles – but true. Strong, distortion-free sound – never, ever take this for granted on this album, this is a very difficult album to track and those stringed instruments provide the ultimate test – most all copies of this will have some high frequency clipping or surface sound, nothing less than minimal playing on quality decks gave this one a chance – and this is just that. ALL frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is astonishing with a wide dynamic range and very detailed and intense sound. Massive bass tones and resonance with shrill high frequencies will test out any system and delighted to say all perfectly sharp and focused with no stresses to the near virgin grooves. Surface sounds?, well I did not notice any and this on a very difficult album with some very quiet passages. I feel no copy will outperform this one, no pops or clicks were noted and this is an amazing listen. Both channels are clean and sharp with the best possible pressing standards. I feel certain this record has barely been played and has been very well stored and caringly looked after (a credit to the original owner), definitely in a non-smoking environment. I doubt if this record or cover have seen daylight for decades. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this incredible Harvest gem. This copy will prove near impossible to find better and is unreservedly recommended.

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 - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, 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 its 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. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. 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 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortofon Samba Moving Coil cartridge (tracks at 1.8 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

POSTING & PACKING: What You Get: I now offer the fastest possible posting, mostly the very next day after payment is received or within 48 hours maximum. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT mailers) with the record(s) 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 TWO thick stiffners for even extra protection. The cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. Printed address labels are used for clarity and well as sender label. 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. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but NOT surface mail abroad. I never make profit on posting and offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends, with the total costs including ‘standard’ or ‘optional extra insurance’ P&P – ALL UK and Russian packets go out non-negotiable Recorded Delivery. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than 0.1 per percent based on over 4,000+ items sold in over 7 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional.

PLEASE NOTE: I will now only send packets to Russia with Recorded Delivery at a cost of £7 per single LP. If this is unacceptable to Russian collectors, please do not bid. I only want my records to arrive safely and this gives packets a better chance to do so. Also ALL UK packets will be sent with either Recorded or Special Delivery as standard (both have to be signed for). All shipping costs and rules can be found after my description. If they are not acceptable, please do not bid.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

SHIPPING COSTS & OPTIONS:

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

1 LP (First Class Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4 (OPTIONAL).

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: ALL EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA (NOT RUSSIA, see below) (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £5.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £9 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: RUSSIA (Recorded Only, if this is unacceptable, please do not bid):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ only £7) = £9 (OPTIONAL extra insurance as above).

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (any part); Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £8.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £13 (OPTIONAL).

* If Rules allow for that country.

PLEASE NOTE: I always get a Royal Mail ‘Proof-of-Posting’ receipt for ALL packets that are sent out and I am happy to prove this to any customer who wishes to see it via email.

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders.

The customer can choose their method of shipping with the exception of second class or surface mail overseas – these I will NOT use. The winner bidder chooses his/her posting method and if uninsured is chosen, its their decision and they have to stick with it, I can accept no responsibility if an item is lost in the post. I can only try to claim at standard levels if no enhancement is chosen (£39).

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. 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 minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.

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 neccessarily 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’.