Sold Date: May 22, 2016
Start Date: May 15, 2016
Final Price: £35.87 (GBP)
Bid Count: 10
Seller Feedback: 2381
Buyer Feedback: 36

GENESIS  -  

FOXTROT

     Charisma

    CAS 1058

1st UK Press 1972

B&C credit on label and sleeve

Machined matrices  A-1U  B-1U  "PORKY" and "PECKO" etched in on the runouts

Red lettering on spine. The gatefold cover is textured. Original inner (small name and title written on reverse) without any damage or splits. The whole package is in an impossible EX++ condition and looks like it was when first purchased in 1972.

PRESSED WITH THE FIRST ISSUE CHARISMA 'LARGE HATTER' LABELS WHICH CARRY THE "Manufactured and distributed by B&C Records Ltd." STATEMENT
MATRIX: CAS 1058 A-1U PORKY / CAS 1058 B-1U PECKO FIRST PRESS MOTHER STAMPERS. THIS ALBUM IS AN IMPOSSIBLE FIRST WEEK OF ISSUE.

THE RECORD IS HOUSED IN THE FIRST ISSUE OUTER TEXTURED GATEFOLD SLEEVE WITH ALL SPINE TEXT WRITTEN VERTICALLY IN RED "Printed and made by the E. J. Day Group, London and Bedford", "Marketed by B&C Records Ltd., 37 Soho Square, London, W1." WITH INTERNALLY PRINTED LYRICS AND FACTORY SEALED LEFT SIDE EDGE

This super copy still retains its original "CHARISMA" advertising inner sleeve. It show LP's which currently were on the roster like e.g. Peter Hamill - Fool's Mate, VDGG - H to He etc.

 is where  began to pull all of its varied inspirations into a cohesive sound -- which doesn't necessarily mean that the album is streamlined, for this is a group that always was grandiose even when they were cohesive, or even when they rocked, which they truly do for the first time here. Indeed, the startling thing about the opening "Watcher of the Skies" is that it's the first time that  attacked like a rock band, playing with a visceral power. There's might and majesty here, and it, along with "Get 'Em Out by Friday," is the truest sign that  has grown muscle without abandoning the whimsy. Certainly, they've rarely sounded as fantastical or odd as they do on the epic 22-minute closer "Supper's Ready," a nearly side-long suite that remains one of the group's signature moments. It ebbs, flows, teases, and taunts, see-sawing between coiled instrumental attacks and delicate pastoral folk like weaving. If  remained a rather inscrutable lyricist, his gift for imagery is abundant, as there are passages throughout the album that are hauntingly evocative in their precious prose. But what impresses most about  is how that precociousness is delivered with pure musical force. This is the rare art-rock album that excels at both the art and the rock, and it's a pinnacle of the genre (and decade) because of it. This is in every prog lover's top ten.

I have played this in FULL> The replay is ASTOUNDING!!! There are not any jumps, pops or skips.  Very remarkable for this 1972 vinyl!!! This copy has barely been played. The heavy vinyl with high groovewalls provide a fantastic audio experience with channelling not equalled by the later re-issue. I played this on my Technics turntable with a Linn cartridge and through my very revealing B&W three way speakers!!! A beautiful CLASSIC with supreme songcraft, a joy to listen to!!!! 

ELUSIVE PROGMONSTER!!!! VINYL IN A UNIQUE EX+ CONDITION!!!

!!!!AN IMPOSSIBLE FIND!!!GORGEOUS EX+!!! A few hundred of the LP were ever sold!!! This is SOOOOOOOOOOO very rare!!!!!

****ELUSIVE PROGMONSTER!!!****PERPLEXING SONGCRAFT!!!***AN INSPIRATION TO MANY SUBSEQUENT TOPACTS!!!***

!!!!A VERY HARD FIND!!! Most have been bought up by collectors!! This is hardly offered these days as an original first press!!

 Sensational sound quality, I have played this through in its entirety and it was a great joy!!! NO skips or jumps. NO clicks or crackle, this is really a stunning heavy glossy jet black vinyl .The audio is impeccable. Inspected under an intense lightsource and angled.

Vinyl: EX+ .  A sensational find and barely played!!! I have played this in FULL twice over> The replay is ASTOUNDING!!! I first played for a general listen and a second time for a more detailed observation. Only one wispy hairline can be seen under a strong lightsource. Fantastic songcraft!! A personal favourite of mine and I am very glad to be able to report that this is a fine slab of vinyl without any problems at all and as such worthy of inclusion of any great prog collection. This will be an ultimate upgrade version for most collectors.  Outstanding audio delivery in all respects with a crystal clear, deep, rich, warm and detailed sound and on playback at a loud volume (which is how I always listen to my LPs prior to listing and it's always an immense pleasure to return to this one) there is barely any surface noise. This is a beautifully clean pressing (and I must emphasise again how difficult it is to find a copy which plays this well). The whole LP sounds absolutely great and plays to a high standard with superb clarity, no groove-wear and no distortion and is very strictly graded a strong EX+  for audio without anything untoward, no static or crackle at all - great copy!! Of course, NO skips, NO jumps, NO ticks.

Gatefold Sleeve: EX++.  A beautifully textured gatefold sleevein time warp condition without any creases and even the edges are as first issued in 1972. The spine  is 100% legible wit the original "RED PRINTING". Just imagine finding this ultra rare first press without any edge wear? Well, that's exactly what we have her in all its full glory and 44(!) years old. The inside gatefold is likewise EX++/NM with just one tiny name (Ray) near the opening.

***This is a unique prime investment opportunity!!! Finding this album in any condition at all is nearly impossible!!! This is  a great and seriously collectable super album!!  You will buy into a piece of  prog core history.*** 

Labels: NM!!! Unmarked. these are the very desirable large mad hatter labels.  None scarcer though than this label!! I doubt we will see this again this year or the next! There vinyl has indeed barely been played. Please take a close look at the pictures!!

Important : International postage will be registered and insured if over GBP 20.00.  These fees in England have gone up significantly last May. Please wait for my invoice before paying. Postage will be according to Royal Mail rates. Postage is NOT a money spinning exercise for me.

***This is a unique prime investment opportunity!!! Finding this classic album in any condition at all is nearly impossible!!! This is  a great and seriously collectable super album!!  You will buy into a piece of  superb prog history.*** 

This is a unique investment opportunity!!! The next prog album to go completely through the roof. Finding this album in any condition at all is nearly impossible so late in the day. Get this while you still can. This value of the album is only going to go one way ... up and up ... until it will be totally unavailable at all for a reasonable price.

Important : International postage will be registered and insured if over GBP 20.00.  Please wait for my invoice before paying. Postage will be according to Royal Mail rates. Postage is NOT a money spinning exercise for me.

Though there are rarely ever any problems with my items, I always try my very best to describe everything exactly!  PLEASE REMEMBER to contact me FIRST,  if you have any problems at all, before you leave feedback and star ratings, so I get a chance to turn any negative experience into a positive one!  I can always happily sort anything out for you, if you let me know you have a problem!  This way no one has to leave Negative/Neutral feedback - and we both walk away happy! Similarly with the amount of stars, anything less than a full 5 * rating is effectively detrimental to a seller's rating as lower ratings will incur higher Final Value Fees  and lower priority in the bidlists eventually making it unattractive to list items on Ebay at all. I know of at least one major previous Ebay seller who has decided not to list via Ebay again. Please do NOT bid if you cannot give me at least 1 chance to sort everything out to your FULL satisfaction in the unlikely event of a problem.  Thanks again!!

This an excellent investment opportunity!!! Any questions please ask me and I will try to answer soon.