The Game A1/B7

This very early pressing plays with stunning quality and S1 is 'as new'.  It's rare to find an A1 press this 'clean' and indeed judging by the lack of spindle wear has been rarely played.

The metallic 'silver foil' cover is one of the most impressive I have seen in a long time.  There are no obvious markings which is such a rarity today.

EMA 795 // A - 1U / B - 7U // Mastered at Allen Zentz L.A. , Calif.

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / tracks 2 & 4 VG- for two seconds each)

The cover is Ex+

The lyric inner is

Ex-

The labels are Mint-

Visual grading

This is stunning looking vinyl and retains a fantastic glossy sheen.  Both sides are so 'clean' and have only a couple of very faint hairlines and there are no marks or scratches.  S1 has no spindle wear can you believe and S2 only a couple of spindle trails so this is in my opinion a vinyl that has only ever been lightly played.  The audio as detailed below confirms that.  The labels and run out grooves are also in superb condition.

Play grading  

'Play The Game' plays with stunning audio from start to finish.  The synth intro, aside from a couple of mega light dust ticks at the start, has no 'background' and the remainder quite simply plays 'as new'.  The clarity just could not be improved upon and there was not one single click or pop, no interference at all!  The fade out also plays with perfect precision.  I am confident in grading this as Mint- the playback is that good.  With complete silence in the dead wax 'Dragon Attack' is then of the same standard and the depth of the audio, as you would expect, is so impressive here.  The bass is so strong and again there is no interference of any kind.  I always adhere to Record Collector guidelines so will grade as Mint- but I know Mint when I hear it!  With 'Another One Bites The Dust' there is no decrease in quality and the definition of the audio is again so superior to any other medium.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound, it is 'crystal clear' and there is not even a solitary dust tick let alone anything worse!  Again the bass is so powerful and this is another prime example of a vinyl hardly ever played.  This is an immaculate version of this classic.  'Need Your Loving Tonight' is absolutely stunning from the very first groove and again plays with perfection precision throughout.  What is impressive is that there is no distortion here which is quite rare for this track.  'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' ends the side with 'high end' audio with no 'background' of any kind.  It grades as Mint- much like the rest of the side!  The clarity is incredible and it plays as clearly as when first released back in 1980.  Every second plays with perfect precision and and the hand clapping sequence and long fade out are fine examples of this.  This is audio at its very best, the warmth and depth you get from vinyl just cannot be beaten.

The intro on 'Rock It' is one of the most impressive I have ever heard!  There is a one second (one second!) of crackle on the first groove and it then plays nigh on perfectly with only a couple of dust ticks and one very faint click right at the end.  From then on it plays loud and clear with superb depth and no interference.  'Don't Try Suicide' has great clarity from the very first note and with only a couple of seconds of light static this very quiet intro does not disappoint.  The remainder plays with superb sound quality apart from the two clicks, the second is louder, towards the end the end of the guitar solo.  Otherwise this track plays perfectly.  The long fade out is stunning and gives you a good idea of the wonderful clarity on offer.  The intro on 'Sail Away Sweet Sister' plays with astounding clarity which is such a rarity as so often there is some interference.  Not here though!  The quality does not diminish and to the very end it plays with sublime Mint- quality and the long fade out is just immaculate.  Wow what a version!  'Coming Soon' is so very nearly perfect but does have one faint click about one minute in.  A shame because aside from that it is a stunning version and plays with great power and depth.  'Save Me' so often has interference on the intro but here there is none whatsoever.  There are no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either, the clarity is amazing!  The first chorus is so strong and the playback is 'as new' without doubt.  The more it continues the more you are impressed by this underrated classic.  The audio is so 'clean' and it plays with breathtaking quality to the very end.  This final track often has some distortion but there is no hint of it here at all.  This is quite simply an immaculate version and even the mega quiet piano fade out plays beautifully with no 'background'.  A sensational end.

In summary this very early pressing plays with 'high end' audio for the vast majority and S1 in particular is superb.  S2 does have 3/4 clicks but apart from that the sound quality is very impressive.  The metallic 'silver foil' cover is one of the best I have ever seen and has very little marking or creasing which is a real rarity!

The Cover

As stated this 'silver foil' sleeve is in lovely condition with only very minor wear.  The edges are very clean and have no rubbing and the thin spine is has only a couple of very minor dings.  The corners have only a minimal amount of creasing and the opening edge is in superb shape with no handling wear at all.  The surprising thing though is how well preserved the front and back cover are as they are often heavily marked.  They are both very clean and only the back has a couple of small scratch marks.  A very impressive 'metallic' sleeve overall.

The Lyric Inner  

This thick card inner has the rounded corners as per all the first and early pressings and remains in excellent condition.  It is super clean with no markings and there is just the one small side split.

The Labels

The white labels are in fantastic shape and are almost 'as new' with only a couple of spindle lines on the S2 label.  There is no spindle wear at all on the S1 label!

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record was professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S Cleaning Machine

EMA 795 // A - 1U / B - 7U // Mastered at Allen Zentz L.A. , Calif.

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage and Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard) 

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE IT HAS BEEN LEFT FOR ME. THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!