TEA AND SYMPHONY - JO SAGO

A superb copy of this extremely rare, and one of the most highly sought after very first 1970 UK pressings, of this prog rock holy grail, on the coveted pre-EMI logo Harvest label, stereo SHVL 785

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  SHVL 785 A - 1  with stampers "1" and "G" at 9.30 o'clock and 10.30 o'clock respectively

Side 2  SHVL 804 B - 1  with stampers "1" and "G" at 10 o'clock and 4 o'clock respectively

Note the earliest "1" and "G" stampers, indicative of one of the very first copies to come off the initial production run.

The appearance of the flat, thick vinyl is excellent plus (EX+) - I am so tempted to grade as "near mint". Both sides of the vinyl (nicely solid and completely flat, by the way) have retained their original beautiful, jet black lacquered sheen and wonderfully impressive luster - gorgeous! A real gleamer, and obviously barely played. Under a very bright light, and with very close scrutiny, it is just possible to detect a few very, very light paper scuffs but these are virtually insignificant. There can't be many, if any at all, copies of this exceedingly rare LP that are in better condition than this. Astonishing!

The labels are pristine. Beautiful labels with the coveted green Harvest logo and black text on the matt textured yellow background remaining perfectly intact in all it's glory on both sides. Under a bright light I can just about make out a single small spindle trail adjacent to the centre hole on each label. But apart from that, perfect! Note the absence of the usual "EMI" logo on either label - again indicative of a very first pressing.

The Garrod and Lofthouse non-laminated gatefold sleeve is excellent plus (EX+).  Such an iconic sleeve, and so rare to come across an original in such wonderful condition as this. Each edge is rigid with no scuffing whatsoever - not even the usual occasional "nick", and that includes the spine where all text remains perfectly intact. Each corner remains a perfectly defined right angle with no rubbing, and the opening edges are also rigid with no fraying or feathering at all. Amazing! Open out the gatefold and the inside is, well...perfect! Just gorgeous (I'm running out of adjectives). The only blemishes I can detect are a dark brown spot on the spine just above the word "Tea", a small semi-circular very, very light surface crease on the reverse side (you will need to look hard to find it), and if you hold the sleeve up at the right angle and in a bright light the merest hint of an outline of an arc of ring wear on the reverse side towards the top edge - but each of these is so minor that they are hardly worth mentioning. A definite EX+!

Finally, the quality of the audio is excellent+ (EX+). Wonderful tone and clarity throughout, even at higher volume and on higher frequencies, as you would expect from a record that has obviously been played only a few times. You may notice the very occasional nano second of static but that is no more than you would expect from a brand new record receiving it's very first play. Difficult to fault - simply outstanding.

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. JO SAGO - a play on music :

(a) Miniature

(b) Nyada

 (c) Journey

(d) Brother

(e) Africa Paprika

(f) Fairground Suite

(g) Deperate oil

(h) Umbilical Bill

(i) Goodnight

Side 2 :

1. TRY YOUR LUCK

2. YOURSELF

3. GREEN FINGERED - REDHANDED

4. SEASONS TURN TO ONE

5. VIEW TO THE SKY

6. THE NORTIHORTICULTURALIST

7. DANGLING

Comes with original EMI/Harvest advertising inner sleeve (a rarity in it's own right) with the original "Made and printed in Great Britain" and "Patent Nos..." text, with no splits or tears just some very slight creasing and age discolouration around the side edges and remaining in excellent condition. Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary a truly excellent plus (many would grade as "near mint", I am sure) copy of this exceedingly rare and highly sought after 1970 UK very 1st pressing prog/psychedelic rock classic - worthy of being the centrepiece of any vinyl collection and only continuing to gain in value. Surely there can be no better condition copies than this still out there.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 63 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl thick cardboard "crucifix" style mailer along with at least two thick cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be UK £6.00, Royal Mail 1st class tracked & signed for; continental Europe £12 and Rest of the World £16, Royal Mail 1st class tracked and signed for. 

 I DO discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding!

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler