Sold Date: February 10, 2017
Start Date: February 3, 2017
Final Price: £310.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 22
Seller Feedback: 4365
Buyer Feedback: 69

Purple haze, all in my brain,
Lately things just don't seem the same,
Acting funny, but I don't know why,
'Scuse me..... while I kiss the sky.

Purple haze, all around,
Don't know if I'm coming up or down,
  Am I happy, or in misery?
Whatever it is, that girl put a spell on me.....
 
  Help me, help me......
Oh, no, no... no.........
 
Yeah!
  Purple haze, all in my eyes,
  Don't know if it's day or night,
You've got me blowing, blowing my mind,
  Is it tomorrow...... or just the end of time?
JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE: "Purple Haze" / "51st  Anniversary" UK 45 RPM IN MONO.
  RARE VERY FIRST PRESSING ONLY, ISSUED ON WHITE Track Records LABELS, 17th MARCH,1967.
PRESSED BY POLYDOR, WITH THREE CONNECTIONS TO THE PUSH -OUT CENTRE.
The very first Track Records single was "Purple Haze" and a very limited initial first pressings were on a white label with
black printing.  During the early stages the decision was taken to change the white background to black with silver printing,
the familiar and legendary Track labels that contained the amazing records mabe by Who and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, from
the formation of Track Records in the early months of the sensational year of 1967.   No Who singles or LP's were issued on the
white Track label, the Jimi Hendrix Experience debut album "Are You Experienced" was released eight weeks later in May,1967
and there were no white Track labels on the album.  For me, the most volatile and sensational psychedelic single ever recorded
was "Purple Haze," how fitting to have a few of the earliest pressings on an exclusive white label,I still have my 1967 original!
A great example of the average condition, played so excessively, the grooves are worn down to almost smooth with the scratches
and marks covering the entire smooth surface.   The once pure white labels are more yellowy/brown with the paper around the
spindle whole worn clean away in a halo of sub-surface paper, I have a replacement in the same stunning condition on offer here,
but that battered original means the world to me and even unplayable now, that was the record that had the biggest impact, even in
the most exciting year in a decade of wonder.


  TEXTURED WHITE & BLACK TRACK LABEL:  604001
All I can say, is please see my pictures for the astonishing sight of as new, totally unaged, pure white labels, plus the gleaming
  like new record.  Issued with a push-out centre, being the 60's there are only three connector's and naturally enough the labels
have the maitrix printed upside down or inverted to the rest of the printing.

MAITRIX: 604001  A // 1      1   1  1  / 604001  B // 1     1   1  2  


  ORIGINAL 1967 WHITE TRACK  SLEEVE, VIRTUALLY UNAGED AND IN NEAR MINT CONDITION.
There are no end of variations to 60's Track inner sleeves, particularly right at the beginning in March, 1967, one consistent
  feature is a die cut centre and plain white.   Some with wavy top openings, or like this straight top opening, well, slightly
  shaped but not wavy, only Near Mint / Mint records can be positively said to be in the original they started out in, but even
  that could be flawed for 60 's singles after all those years. This actually has a handwritten sticker on the front with '604001'
  catalogue number.   The same applies to the Reaction label, Cream, The Who and Jimi Hendrix....Polydor certainly pressed
  some of the greatest records of all time and "Purple Haze" stands apart even from Cream and the Who.
 

  THE RECORD HAS NEVER BEEN PLAYED, SO BOTH MATT TEXTURED LABELS ARE BOTH STILL THE ORIGINAL WHITE,
  UNUAGED AND UNSTAINED.  A DEEPLY GLOSSY RECORD WITH THE LOOK AND FEEL OF A BRAND NEW RECORD, WITH
  ONLY HANDLING TRACES, ONLY THE ONE PER INDIVIDUAL SIDE.
  Yes, it is 49 years old and there are light handling traces per side,not a stylus scratch but from fingers and that makes grading
  a record difficult.  My personal opinion is simple enough, if a record has not been on a spindle or turntable and never had a
  stylus in the grooves, the word 'Mint' has to figure prominently in the grading.  Records were handled at the pressing plants and
  at record shops before they were sold as brand new, well, the completely unaged labels alone belong in that 'Mint' bracket, as
  most have turned various shades of brown.  The rarity of the white label "Purple Haze" does not affect my judgement, if anything
  my reverence for the very pressing I bought on release, places the sternest grading on the labels, record and sound.   I did buy
this white Track label rare version in March, 1967 and this does indeed look and feel like it is brand new to me,  I constantly and 
consistently state, all records were handled by bored factory workers in very hot temperatures, unplayed records still do have 
exactly as I am describing here for nearly half a century ago.   Put it this way, I do not believe a more stunning white label first
  pressing exists anywhere in the world, if that was not the case, this would become my own my replacement copy, but after very
  carefully comparing them, they are a matching pair.  On the subject of surface only visible or near invisible handling traces, it
  means fingertips and they cannot penetrate into the deep grooves, so they will never have any effect on the sound quality, so
  no crackles or clicks, which this fantastic sounding and immaculately clean sound reproduction.  That  includes every second of
  the more laid back  "51st  Anniversary" , where there are stop / start positions very vulnerable to surface sound & needle noise,
  both sides have pristine mono sound and the below grading does 100% apply to the sound quality.
  THE RECORD IS IN INCREDIBLE, UNPLAYED NEAR MINT CONDITION.


  Admittedly the standard I have always set for Jimi Hendrix records is almost unrealistic, but I have stubbornly only accepted
Near Mint / Mint, which for his British pressed 1960's mono singles, is quite a challenge.  Lately I have had a real problem with
  albums and singles but I have no interest in scratched and worn out Jimi Hendrix records, as they all sold well there are plenty
  of those circulating.  Patience does bring it's rewards, this is an absolutely stunning looking "Purple Haze"/ "51st Anniversary"
  and for once the term 'rare' is for the unbelievable condition and for being the very first pressing made of my favourite Hendrix
  single and a record, I consider among the greatest singles ever made. Few records can excite and fill you with an anticipation of
  being totally blown away from the intro to the outro, than this unique and totally different first UK pressing of "Purple Haze."
   Records from the very heart of the psychedelic 60's in this amazing condition, instantly transport me back in time, to being an
  excited kid in an era when records literally left you incredulous about what you were hearing for the first time.  In March '67,
  I was still playing the "Hey Joe" /"Stone Free" single and those two tracks were all there was of Jimi's sensational music, even
  so, nothing could have prepared you for what you heard when first hearing "Purple Haze", until now psychedelic music had been
melodic in nature, but here was something wild, raw and overwhelming, the extraordinary lyrics slammed home as much as the
greatest guitar riff of all time.  I remember playing the A-side alone for a complete afternoon and with every repeat hearing on
  auto play, was as sensational as the first, please bear in mind that the "Are You Experienced" album was not released yet and it
  would be another two months on the 12th May, before we heard a whole LP with the true genius of an artist who summed up the
  whole psychedelic period on that debut album, with just five words within the fantastic lyrics;
"Not necessarily stoned, but beautiful."

  Jimi was not alone in producing definitive singles in 1967, records that changed the actual conception of conventional music came
  thick and and fast in that year.   Jimi Hendrix's second single was not only his first on the Track label, like "Are You Experienced"
  which was soon to follow, become the first LP issued by Track (612001). "Purple Haze" was also the first ever 45 issued by Track
with the catalogue number, '604001.'  Going back to those other astounding 1967 45's, the awesome "Purple Haze" towered above
  above them all, for the most powerful single ever issued in any decade. These were not the soothing senses affecting sounds heard
  on "Strawberry Fields Forever", but psychedelia as mind blowing heavy rock, in fact, Jimi had pioneered a previously unheard and
  untried brand of music and lyrics.  The 60's charts was also full of middle of the road rubbish, even "Strawberry Fields Forever"
  had been held back from making No.1 in the UK by Engelbert Humperdink's "The Last Waltz" in the previous February, just hearing
  "Purple Haze" on the radio among the usual Top 20 of mostly junk, had a massive influence. Jimi Hendrix introduced the concept of
  of someone singing, "Excuse me, while I kiss the sky," hardly the expression used in everyday conversation, but backed up by the
   ferocious riff, it made perfect sense.  Jimi's blockbuster of a guitar riff is still the greatest intro to open any track, what followed
  is still as sensational as it was in March,1967.  The lyrics were acid influenced reflecting the psychedelic era, it was apparently
  written about a dream he had when he walking under water, it was Hendrix's deep love of colours that as much instigated those
   amazing lyrics, that love of colours can be found in so many of his songs, 'purple' was the ideal colour for this astounding song.
 
 
  The Who's management of Kit Lambert & Chris Stamp had just formed the new Track label when The Jimi Hendrix Experience were
  now ready to follow "Hey Joe" with their second single on Track.  In late 1966, they were not in a position to release "Hey Joe"
  and Polydor obliged, as this was to be the first ever record Track issued, these very first pressing only was on an experimental
  white label, with only a single batch made. Then during the initial pressing, the black designed labels were part of a continuous
  chain of pre-release first pressings, but the vast majority of all the original pressings of "Purple Haze" were on the matt black
  colour label, becoming Track's standard label colour until their demise in 1975. Interestingly, the earliest of those first black
  label pressings also have the same ending maitrix digits of first pressing, exactly as found on the few white label pressings,
   '604001 A // 1 / 604001 B // 1 ,'establishing how small the amount made was of these very rare white label pressings.  For such
  a major record, catalogue numbers and a maitrix pale into insignificance when it comes to how this happened.   I will keep this
   much briefer than I would like to, here's just the broadest outline of how "Purple Haze" was written and recorded.

  Jimi Hendrix had written "Purple Haze"as early as December,1966, not deliberately though, it just came to him ten days previously
  when  he was playing his guitar randomly, while staying in a hotel. Like all legends, there will be several versions, but I can
  tell it how I have always believed it happened, but I have read more than my share of first hand accounts and that began in 1966.
I still have the original promo press advert from 1967, to be honest it was pretty tame compared to the sensational record but it
  had me making several inquiries in my record shop about when I could get my hands on his second record.  Jimi discovered that
  amazing riff first, and then used his genius with lyrics, the original attempt at recording the track was started in the same studio
  where the Experience recorded their debut single, "Hey Joe," in DeLane Lea Studios.  Recorded 11th January at De Lane Lea and it
  wasn't working out like Jimi envisaged, the sound he was getting there was not quite right, plus complaints about excessive noise
  levels used, were bringing trouble from the local residents.  The 3rd February,1967, prompted by the Rolling Stones' Bill Wyman
  and Brian Jones, the Jimi Hendrix Experience next moved into Olympic Studios to perfect "Purple Haze".  It was there he met USA
  record producer and sound engineer Eddie Kramer, they really hit if off because Eddie Kramer understood and empathised with the
   sounds required.   Working as a team they both set about re-dubbing parts onto the started Master Tape, that meeting was highly
  significant and fate had intervened, Kramer would become the producer responsible for all of Jimi's incredible records from there
  on.  For "Purple Haze" unorthodox recording methods were required and used to create the ground breaking sounds, including the
  superb background sounds, a recording was fed back into the studio through headphones held around a microphone, they moved
  them in & out to create an echo like effect. "Purple Haze" was soon completed, backed by the incredible "51st Anniversary" it was
  was released in the UK on the 17th March, 1967, the sales were sufficient to enter the charts at No.39 and it climbed all the way
  into the Top Five to reach a highly respectable No.3, residing in the UK charts for over three and half months.  Released on the
    Reprise label in America in June,1967, it only reached No. 65 with just eight weeks duration the charts.  The summer of 1967 at
  the Monterey festival would see the real launch of Jimi in his home country, a fellow black artist also crashed through US racial
  barriers, Otis Redding was equally responsible for enlightening rock audiences at Monterey.
 
The labels are an unblemished  pure white colour, without any stains, scrapes or scuffs, ebay has made a cliché out of the word
  'example' but I have to use it here in the correct context because it happens to be true.  The labels are so pristine they make a
  perfect example of how they looked in March,1967, when I first bought "Purple Haze" and assumed all future track labels would
  be the same white colour.  The reason for resisting the ravages of the decades and the atmosphere, is because they still have
  the slightest sheen to the top surface of the paper. Unlike the immediately following Track labels which were roughly textured,
  matt black, but without any kind of sheen sealing of the top surface.   Just a quick thought, if this first colour had been adopted
  as a permanent fixture, imagine "Are You Experienced" or say,"The Who Sell Out" with white labels!   No Spindle traces on that
  textured surface, unplayed, for early 1967 this record is unbelievable,  I know my way around 60's vinyl and original turntables
  because I grew up with them and still own and love playing mono records on them.  The vinyl is gleaming away with a beautiful
  glossy sheen unique to mint vinyl, with the light handling surface only traces as I commented about earlier.  I resisted taking a
  play through earlier on, but when I placed this on my turntable in readiness, the spindle hole was still so tight, I had to ease it
  down, which should be part of grading vinyl!  That alerted me to only take the one play and to save that for now, when I can
  write a short description about both sides, ever since joining ebay it was an ambition to list a Near Mint white label pressing
in fourteen years, I am only realising that ambition for the third time, I can't wait to hear an amazing looking first pressing!


The run-in grooves only have the faint natural static of a unplayed record....of 49 years vintage! No crackles or clicks, then in
just awesome volume and fantastic power the greatest blues/rock guitar riff ever to open any record, erupts from my speakers
with a dramatic and a sensational impact!  The mono sound is unbelievable and that sheer impact is being enjoyed with maximum
volume and absolutely perfectly clear sound.  This really is like travelling back in time to the Spring of '67 for me, once again I
I find my senses engulfed by this cauldron of electrifying psychedelia, I am very concerned about how I hear "Purple Haze" and
this sounds incredible!  "Purple Haze" combines a full frontal assault from the guitar, drums and bass, all that has an ultimate
  Hendrix vocal on top.  This UK mono 45 mix has never been improved on, our latest technology can't even come close to delivering
these staggering sounds in such immense volume.  The pile driving guitar riff has the very sound of psychedelic music meeting
blues head on, but in a way nobody had ever thought possible. The audio definition is outstanding and for all this extreme volume
there is absolutely no distortion at all.  In March, 1967, this was was still months in advance "Are You Experienced" and both of
these tracks remained unique when the LP was released because neither were included on the album.  There is a stereo version
on the USA "Are You Experienced" album, but a re-recorded version stripped of the mono mind blowing sounds and impact, the vocals
became isolated and too prominent, with the entire balance between the instruments and vocals lost in stereo.  There is only one
way to hear "Purple Haze" at it's most potent, from a UK first pressing in top condition.


Just to think the "Are You Experienced"album was yet to be recorded, let alone"Axis Bold...." then in 1968, "Electric Ladyland."
"51st Anniversary" was recorded at the same time as "Purple Haze" with Jimi Hendrix using overdubbing to a devastating effect.
  That would all be taken onto on that first album, the recording sessions had just begun for that. A brilliant Hendrix composition
with the contrasting style showing the other gentler side of his music and his character.  In fact, even when Jimi needed to kiss
the sky, his good manners had him saying 'excuse me' to anyone liable to be offended.  A very carefully turned over record and I
am back in my chair, this side's run-in grooves are exceptional and virtually silent without any surface sound, the wonderfully
clean intro is far more subdued and immaculately clean, a driving rhythm sets it up for the brilliant Hendrix vocal, delivered in
almost 'talking blues' or conversational style.  Jimi is telling the story of a marriage and instead of starting at the beginning
of their relationship, he comes in later on their 51st anniversary, moving backwards to 30 years of marriage, ten years, three
  years, until you arrive back to the couple being young 17 year old's.   Jimi Hendrix could also make his guitar sound like it was
  'talking,' the mono sound is crystal clear, projected with the same colossal mono power as the A-side.  60's singles were always
  about having two tracks and for anything to be paired with "Purple Haze," it had to be very special and "51st Anniversary" is still
among the greatest B-sides of all time.  There has been no surface sound on the entire record, even on the quietest moments of
"51st Anniversary" is amazing for these very rare first pressings.
{Roy}
    R & M RECORDS.

My lifetime's love of music and records began at a very young age, the arrival of the Beatles and the 1960's decade
  in general had a very profound effect. It was only natural to bring all my first hand experience of collecting vinyl
  into becoming a professional record seller.  Nearly thirty years ago we entered into the wonderful atmosphere
of record fairs with the highest possible standards set. When the Internet became the world's new market place for
  vinyl, in 2001 it was time to join ebay. Those standards were rigidly adhered to as they will always continue to be,
the basics of honesty and integrity were very much part of the era the music I love originated in, so here is our friendly
and very efficient service we are proud to provide;

EVERY RECORD IS FULLY PLAYED AND COMES WITH A 'NO ARGUMENT' MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.
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  FROM THE U.K. "RECORD COLLECTOR PRICE GUIDE" BOOK.
THERE IT CLEARLY STATES "Sound Quality" AFFECTS EVERY GRADING LEVEL AND THAT IS THE ONE
AND ONLY POSSIBLE WAY TO ACCURATELY GRADE RECORDS. i.e. COMBINING A STRICT VISUAL
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OF GENUINELY UNPLAYED VINYL.  EVEN THEN WE STILL TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR A RECORD
WHEN A CUSTOMER RECEIVES EITHER A SEALED OR AN UNPLAYED RECORD.
 

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our UK First Class, Recorded Delivery cost for albums up to the value of £46.  A temporary reduction this week means we can
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For LP's valued above £46, the cost will be £9, we are unhappy about either increase but our high standard of packaging has meant
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POSTAGE  COST FOR LP's
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USA,JAPAN & REST OF THE WORLD FULLY INSURED VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR £20.00


POSTAGE COST FOR EP's & 7"
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