Sun Ra & His Intergalactic Arkestra
at the Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival in Exile 1974

'It Is Forbidden'


2001      Total Energy       NER3029       Discogs  [r864121]

Transparent Green
Discontinued on vinyl
AMAZON CUSTOMER REVIEW
The album is the third and final release chronicling Sun Ra's performances at the Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival.

This 1974 festival was held in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, after a reported $20,000 earmarked in 1973 to clean the grounds was absconded by a worker. The vibes were not all peace and love - the 1960s pop culture movement was long over - and Sun Ra captures this unknown through an eerie and metallic quality on the synthesizer.

Vocalist June Tyson and the reed section propel a number of songs, but it is Sun Ra who captures the mood of the performance in exile with his chanting, "It is forbidden, strictly forbidden, to cut down the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."

Sun Ra turns in a powerful set that clocks in at around 64 minutes. Taken from the mixing-board cassette tape, it is a performance that stands out in the incredible career of a true artist and musical innovator.


Cover VG+ - Clean and unmarked. Crisp spine and edges with just a little wear on corners. New anti static inner sleeve. Will be supplied in new 180 micron PVC outer sleeve.

Vinyl VG+ - Minimal surface marking, bar one noticeable scuff on side 1, which DOES NOT sound. Has been spin cleaned in a Knosti (2nd dip, new batch 20%IPA). Minimal background noise, absolutely nothing to reduce listening pleasure.

£3 Discount for each additional album/12” purchased at the same time.

Listed items that include multiple albums/singles will only attract a single discount

£1.50 Discount for a 2nd single purchased at the same time.

As long as both are non gatefold 3rd, 4th, 5th singles, or combining singles and albums gets complicated because of restrictive size guidelines and the quality of my mail stiffeners. I always endeavour to pass on postage savings to the buyer. If in doubt ask and I’ll see what I can do.

 

Given that Ebay is an unseen, trust based marketplace, my assessment's will be conservative, detailed and based upon listening to the records for sale. My gradings are based upon the Goldmine Standard (abridged and paraphrased from Discogs below).

 

Near Mint (NM or M-)

A nearly perfect record. A NM- record has more than likely never been played, and the vinyl will play perfectly, with no imperfections during playback. I am unlikely to ever use this grading for vinyl quality unless I KNOW a record to be new, unplayed and probably still wrapped.

A 45 RPM or EP sleeve should have no more than the most minor defects, such as any sign of slight handling. An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits, cut-out holes, or other noticeable similar defects. The same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, etc.  

Very Good Plus (VG+)

A Very Good Plus record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Defects should be more of a cosmetic nature, surfaces may show slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experiences.

The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. Picture sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turned up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs of wear, and may be marred by an indentation or sample distribution cut. In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. 

Very Good (VG)

Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident upon playing, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with light scratches that will affect the sound.

Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time.

Good (G), Good Plus (G+)

In truth I wouldn’t usually bother listing vinyl in this condition, that is with ‘noticeable surface noise and ticks’ although I would consider listing an unusual record with a cover in this condition where ‘seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear, or other defects will be present’