Sold Date: May 26, 2024
Start Date: May 25, 2024
Final Price: $36.99 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 3606
Buyer Feedback: 0

Anita Baker Rapture Vinyl LP - Elektra 60444-1 (1986) Near Mint First Pressing with Shrink Wrap and Hype Sticker with the hit "Sweet Love"
Condition: Near Mint Vinyl and Near Mint Cover. Vinyl was play-tested on both sides and plays beautifully throughout. Clean vinyl. Original cover is fully intact with good color, no splits or writing, still has shrink wrap and a hype sticker, and includes original inner sleeve with lyrics.
Rapture is the second album by Anita Baker, released in 1986. This became Baker's breakout album and earning her two Grammy Awards. The album's first track, "Sweet Love", was a top 10 Billboard hit in addition to winning a Grammy Award. The music video for the track "Same Ole Love" was filmed at Baker's Keyboard Lounge.
At the end of 1986, Rapture was ranked number 2 among the "Albums of the Year" by NME. 
In 1989, Rapture was ranked number 36 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest albums from the 1980s. The same publication would later include the album as number 404 on their 2020 list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In retrospect, AllMusic's Alex Henderson said, "Rapture's tremendous success made it clear that there was still a sizeable market for adult-oriented, more traditional R&B singing."
By October 1987, Rapture had sold three million copies. It propelled Baker to stardom in soul and pop music during the late 1980s, winning two Grammy Awards and eventually sold over eight million copies worldwide.
Track listing
A1Sweet Love A2You Bring Me Joy A3Caught Up In The Rapture A4Been So Long
B1Mystery B2No One In The World B3Same Ole Love B4Watch Your Step
Musicians Anita Baker – lead vocals, backing vocals (1–6), keyboards (8) Dean "Sir" Gant – keyboards (1, 2, 4, 7, 8), arrangements Vernon D. Fails – keyboards (3, 5) Randy Kerber – keyboards (6) Greg Phillinganes – synthesizer overdubs (6) Paul Chiten – synthesizer overdubs (6) Greg Moore – guitar (1, 2, 7) Michael J. Powell – guitar (3, 5) Donald Griffin – guitar (4, 8) Dean Parks – lead guitar (6) Paul Jackson Jr. – rhythm guitar (6) Freddie Washington – bass (1, 2, 7) David B. Washington – bass (3, 5, 8) Jimmy Haslip – bass (4) Neil Stubenhaus – bass (6) Ricky Lawson – drums (1, 2, 4, 7, 8) Arthur Marbury – drums (3, 5) John Robinson – drums (6) Paulinho da Costa – percussion (1, 2, 6, 7, 8) Lorenzo Brown – percussion (3) Lawrence Fratangelo – percussion (3, 5) Don Myrick – saxophone (2) Donald Albright – saxophone (8) Jim Gilstrap – backing vocals (1, 2, 4, 7, 8) Bunny Hull – backing vocals (1, 2, 4, 7, 8) Daryl Phinnessee – backing vocals (1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8) Alex Brown – backing vocals (2, 8) Vesta Williams – backing vocals (2, 8) Natalie Jackson – backing vocals (5) Lynn Davis – backing vocals (6) Phillip Ingram – backing vocals (6) ________ _____________________________________________
Shipping: Calculated domestic shipping via Media Mail or Priority Mail. Will ship internationally at FLAT RATES.  Records mailed in a proper cardboard LP mailer. All records cleaned prior to shipment.
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Payment: Paypal is preferred method of payment.  
Return Policy: I do accept returns for up to 30 days. Please let me know if you have questions about this item or any others I have for sale before you bid or purchase.  If you are unhappy with your purchase, please contact me immediately and I will do whatever I can to resolve. This may be a replacement, a credit, or a full or partial refund depending on the circumstances.
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I use the Goldmine Grading System, and play-test all records. I note any differences between vinyl and cover, and make note of any inserts, special sleeves, or potential defects.

MINT (M) - Absolutely perfect in every way. Most often this is a still sealed record, records that have been opened are rarely if ever marked as Mint.

NEAR MINT (NM) - A good description is that it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time. In other words, it?s nearly perfect, with no visible defects. 

VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) - Except for a couple minor things, this could be Near Mint. Most collectors will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if on the high end (VG++). VG+ records may show slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Covers should have only minor wear. 

VERY GOOD (VG) - VG records are among the biggest bargains, and for many, will be worth the money. They can lack the original gloss, may have surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages. But the noise will not overpower the music. VG covers will have signs of handling, and may have minor splits. 

GOOD PLUS (G+) - Good+ does not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, but it has significant surface noise and groove wear. Cover may have significant ring wear, noticeable writing, or obvious damage.

GOOD (G) - Record may have some skipping, but is otherwise listenable. I generally avoid selling Good (G) rated records unless they are highly collectible or desirable, in order to enjoy until something better comes along. Cover has major wear or seam splits that need repair, or heavy writing like radio station call letters to prevent theft.

Feel free to contact me with any specific questions.