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       1970 RARE PSYCHEDELIC UNDERGROUND ORIGINAL 

                                                              

                                               

                          

                 THE MANDRAKE MEMORIAL

                PUZZLE

                         

                                                   

                         USA - POPPY RECORDS - 40,006

 

CLEAN 44+ years old FIRST PRINTING :

Original 1970 first pressing of the famous 3rd and final MANDRAKE MEMORIAL album, highly regarded as their best works ... we don't often list this record, while it's rare and highly collectible the pressing is lo-fi and all copies have surface no matter how *clean* they look ...still while enjoyable, you need to understand the pressing...

Here's a sought after collectible 43 years old original in thick gatefold with trippy psych-art design and also includes the original printed POPPY label inner sleeve PLUS eye-popping photo insert that can be placed on your turntable platter and serve as a wild platter mat!

Along with the Nazz, this was one of Philadelphia's top bands throughout the late 60's. Prior to Puzzle, they released two good rock albums that had a vague Doors influence, mixing keyboards with guitar oriented psychedelia. Puzzle, released in 1969, is an extremely challenging album that is not recommended to those who are into song oriented pop. It's also a very progressive album that mixes classical/avant garde elements into a dreamy soundscape.

The album is really a mood piece, with plenty of strange moments including one track devoted to a choir of children praying while Whisper Play has, you guessed it, whispers amongst a classical backdrop. Randy Monaco croons throughout the album and there is the occasional guitar freakout, one heard at the end of the 9 minute instrumental Bucket of Air. The reoccuring theme, Just a Blur is a nice, short trippy piece of acoustic music that hints at a concept.

For the era, the Puzzle album is somewhat long, clocking in at around 50 minutes. The real meat of the album lies within the songs. Earthfriend and Hiding are so ambient and so full of great sound effects that they predate a style of psychedelia that Spacemen 3 pioneered throughout the late 80's. Ocean's Daughter is another great, menacing song, being a trippy psychedelic ballad with studio trickery and light arrangements. The song characterizes the album itself: confused, dark and unsettling on one hand but alluring and full of beauty on the other. Even the album cover art is really weird and demented, featuring a well known painting with chrome plated maggots inching their way up an endless flight of stairs.

While not for everyone, Puzzle shrouds itself in a velvet mystery. It's a totally unique experience within the world of pyschedelia that sounds completely unfamilar

- Earthfriend Prelude
- Earthfriend
- Just A Blur (Version 1)
- Hiding
- Just A Blur (Version 2)
- Tadpole
- Kyrie
- Ocean's Daughter
- Volcano Prelude
- Volcano
- Whisper Play
- Bucket Of Air
- Children's Prayer
- Puzzle
- Just A Blur (Version 3)Just A blur (version 3)

 

CONDITION: The cover: gatefold cover is still collectible after 40+ years,  "EX" (excellent) the graphics are all bright and original solid colors = no split seams, no bends, no writing anywhere

The vinyl: is notoriously a fragile, lo-fi pressing by Poppy Records and most copies have surface noise to various degrees (even on mint copies)... this copy is upper level collectible, visually very clean "EX" (excellent) and better = sonically a GREAT creative  / adventurous album, we don't often list it due to being so scarce and difficulty finding clean looking copies  ...The POPPY labels are both clean....overall a bizarre, yet interesting Lp ...

A GREAT ADDITION TO ANYONE'S COLLECTION !

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record

NOTE: All Items backed by money back guarantee! IF you have a problem PLEASE let us solve for you BEFORE leaving negative feedback. Thanks! GRADING SCALE: M, M-, EX, VG++,VG+, VG, VG- M Completely clean, no marks M- Carefully used, looks clean, plays clean, shiny gloss, no marks EX Faint scuff or superficial mark, near M-, high gloss, plays clean VG++ Glossy with minimal scuffing or light mark playing very nice, clean VG+ a bit more scuff or markls still plays well with very minimal surface at worse VG more marks/scratches only minor, nothing deep, no loud clicks or pops this grade is abused by many, VG here does not mean "trashed" VG- surface noise present, will not have skips or jumps   MULTIPLE LP SETS COUNT EACH DISC FOR SHIPPING COST (double Lp count as 2-Lp, etc.)   The Records In All Parcels Are Well Protected = The disc of an LP will always be separated from its cover (avoiding seam splits,etc)   ALL PAYMENTS SHOULD BE MADE WITHIN 7 DAYS Of AUCTIONS END   Do Not Bid If You Are Not Serious About Following Through The Transaction!   ALL ITEMS GUARANTEED FOR WINNING BID - LESS SHIPPING!