AMON DUUL II Phallus Dei UK 1969 Orig EX+ LP

	£		227
	$		301

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Artist or Band: AMON DÜÜL II

Album Title: Phallus Dei.

Producer(s): Olaf Kubler.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Kanann; Dem Guten, Schonen, Wahren; Luzifers Ghilom; Henriette Krotenschwanz.

Side 2: Phallus Dei.

Label/Format: Liberty – original, yes ORIGINAL blue labels, the ultimate first pressing of this Krautrock classic (Please see my label scans).

Label Conditions: Both look very nice indeed, mild handling traces, small faint dulls under angled light. Superb rich colour retained on both with no ink-loss or scuffs. Spindle marks are few and light: side one has very few at all, two long fine ones being the most noticeable. Side two very light and relatively few and only visible under light again. Superb labels on one of the rarest albums ever to adorn the blue Libery labels.

Cat Number: LBS 83279.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 144 grams. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 140 to 150 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams. Some records pressed around 1973 were very thin and light due an oil crisis and shortage around this time. Some records were even issued on recycled vinyl from this period and sounded poor with crackle and surface noise evident from the very first play. If any record I buy is deemed ‘recycled’, I will never offer it, I have a very simple test to detect these records if I suspect this to be the case other than audible imperfection. Some records from this period were even pressed on other materials the most notable was ‘Dynaflex’, used by RCA around this time. Although inferior to vinyl, this at least mostly sounded reasonably acceptable but pressings on this material were wafer thin and flimsy. Beyond the 70s, records often became thinner and lighter still but most played fine but were never quite the quality as from the ‘Golden Era’]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 20 records from these eras. Later pressings were usually lighter still).

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Very Rare, make no mistake, again the price guides are so misleading. A UK blue label Liberty copy of this album is the Holy Grail for many Krautrock collectors. This barely sold at all and went largely unnoticed. It was subsequently repressed on the budget Sunset label, a subsidiary of Liberty with a totally different cover and label. The UK pressing has a totally unique cover design - bizarrely, it had no conventional front text and no-one would have any idea what or who was on offer (well at least until they turned it over). The band name and album title on the front is a collage of psychedelic artwork. When you know it’s there, you can see it. The Sunset reissue has the purple silhouette cover and the German original had the ‘tree’ cover - both have no resemblance to this very rare UK original design. This groundbreaking German prog masterwork is one of the cornerstone albums within any progressive or Krautrock collection and this is a very nice example. Who but the brave or daring would have shelled out for this relatively unknown underground foreign band at this time? This was a ‘full-price’ album unlike the Sunset reissue. Purchased by a few ‘alternative’ fans of the day, few of these will ever surface these days. The cover is incredibly thin, textured and fragile and few will survive in top conditions. This has edge wear but the main faces still look very nice. The record has only a small few light surface marks that have NO sound and this record plays perfectly from start to finish with nothing unwanted. These type of records go either way on condition: some were played into submission by very ‘alternative’ fans of the day or purchased, played once or twice and stored away. Some who took the chance of the colourful cover not even knowing the content of the album, found the music not to their taste and were left untouched again for many years. I had two such copies of this album earlier in the year – strange I had waited all my life to find a single copy of this record and yes, I get three on a year – it’s more than possible I won’t find another. Many dealer friends tell me they have not had one of these for years and truly, this original first issue can be almost considered ‘lost’. Do not underestimate this incredible album, this goes beyond rare and for pristine perfect sound, this record will not be beaten – it plays to the perfect standards of the near mint examples I had before.

Original Year of Release: 1969

Matrix Nos: LBS 83279 A 1 420 1 1 1 / LBS 83279 B 1 420 1 1 3

So What is Krautrock and its Rarity?: ‘Krautrock’ was an affectionate term given to a new wave of young German bands in the late 60s and early 70s. Before the emergence of these pioneering experimental rock and electronic artists, the German music scene was a real mess of sugary pop music. Out of this fog of a musical mire, a very new sound emerged as radical and as daring as anything ever heard. Whereas in the UK, rock music was very much blues or psych-based, but these young long-haired, pioneering German musicians played music that was very different. They opened new musical horizons and boundaries into the use of sound as entertainment. Several were classically trained musicians (Can) – some could barely play an instrument as all (Kluster). Far too weird and experimental for most, many were into avant garde territory, but this German underground scene was admired by many and loved by a small number of record buyers of the time. The sounds they created were often challenging and difficult, but unique and were highly influential for the development of music. Some used conventional instruments, some delved into electronics and some used unconventional devices to form sound. A few became successful even outside Germany with the odd hit single or two (Kraftwerk and Can), but some did not compromise and never sort commercial success (Faust, Neu). Although there were others, the best-known of the early experimental Krautrock bands were: Kraftwerk, Can, Faust, Amon Duul I and II, Neu, Popul Vuh, Guru Guru, Kluster and Tangerine Dream. All are worth checking out – they made some of the most groundbreaking music in rock and their importance is beyond any dispute. In terms of rarity, these early albums are never easy to find especially in top conditions, they sold in relatively small numbers and are seldom seen or offered.

Musicians: Dieter Serfas - drums, electric cymbals; Peter Leopold - drums; Shrat - bongos, vocals, violin; Renate Knaup - vocals, tambourine; John Weinierl - guitar, 12-strong bass; Chris Karrer - violin, guitar, 12-string guitar, soprano saxophone, vocals; Falk Rogner - organ; Dave Anderson - bass Guests: Holger Trulzsch - Turkish drums; Christian Borchard - vibraphone.

Brief Artist & Album Info: After the split from the original incarnation of Amon Düül because of differences in musical direction it was immediately evident from this stunning debut this splinter group meant business. Phallus Dei carried on and extended the psychedelic sounds of bands like Pink Floyd and Jefferson Airplane and added heavy progressive elements too. Along with Can’s Monster Movie, this is one of the classic German underground albums of all time. Atmospheric with shimmering guitars and splintering violin, freakbeat organ, guitar and bass. Rising and falling in volume with distinctive and sometimes chilling vocals from Renate. The Krautrock scene was born and flourished, for those who bought this music discovered great originality and genuine excitement. Unfortunately not too many bought this album on release and this is really is incredibly hard to locate. One for the Krautrock connoisseur, this record is unbeatable and plays with audiophile ‘in-the-studio’ sound. A groundbreaking album and the bedrock within the German progressive scene. If you are still yet to discover this gem, well this is an astonishing experience and nothing will ever beat the sound of the first-pressed record.

This Cover’s Potential for Wear: Very High++.

Cover Grade and Format: EX(-). No really readable text on the front gave even less chance to sell, this cover is totally unique to the UK market. A very fragile thin card single format with no laminate and textured finish. Printed and made in England by MacNeill Press Ltd.

Front: How many collectors would even recognise this as ‘Phallus Dei’?, even the CD reissues do not include this artwork. What an absolute treasure for the Underground rock connoisseur. Incredibly delicate and soft card, this front still looks very nice indeed. There is a little rubbing in places but any traces of ringwear are very small and mild. You can imagine what most will look like with a heavy pressed record inside all these years, but this one has retained most of its ink and avoided grubbiness and creasing. As stated above, the edges have rubbed and some light wear on the sides does encroach into view. The texturing is nice and there no speckle to the raised parts. Superb psych artwork that’s a mind-bending collage of the band name and album title, this would not be obvious if you did not know. Overall a very nice front for an impossibly fragile cover.

Cover Back: The back is even better and has little fault. Less edge rubbing incursion and any rub traces being very light and faint. A small few ultra light and fine surface creases barely even show and both sides retain find freshness and intense colour. A ‘lost’ cover from the psychedelic prog underground.

Top Edge: Moderate, consistent rubbing.

Bottom Edge: Moderate+ consistent rubbing, although soft card, this has NOT penetrated into the cover. e.g. no daylight shows through and there are NO splits or repairs.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with barely any wear and no feathering, guaranteed untrimmed also. Record enters on this fragile edge and given to the soft uncompromising card, this edge is quite well preserved.

Spine and Text: Fine and very delicate and this was white in manufacture, hence any rubbing has less impact. Given the fact this cover is so flimsy, it cannot even support its own weight when held in one hand, this remains quite straight and solid. The ends have rubbed but the main spine area has less than the top and bottom edges, thus most of the spine text remains intact. The ‘LLUS’ in ‘PHALLUS’ has rubbed but the rest of the characters are present.

Corners: All have rubbed in context to their respective edge.

Cover Summary: One of the most exciting covers I have had the privilege to even hold, not only for its uniqueness and rarity. The edgewear apart, it’s still an attractive example too, the ultimate alternative late 60’s underground Krautrock cover, one that will prove difficult to find much better. I cannot reitterate enough just how fragile and delicate this one is. With the front and back still looking really attractive, I am sure it will still please many Krautrock collectors. It’s not one you will see often for sure. If the edgewear is an issue however, please do not bid – but remember, few will ever avoid it.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EX / EX+. The earliest pressing and simply ignored. A splendid visual copy that is very clean, shiny, intense black and quite heavily pressed. Side one has a couple or three fine surface marks and side two even less with little of note at all. These minor visual blemishes have no sound whatsoever and another other ultra fine surface traces or hairlines are the same. Visually a lovely underground record, few will better this significantly and clearly it’s received only very modest plays.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippetts or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This classic underground prog gem plays even above its visual grading with nothing to fault. Powerful, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any surface sounds barely even register and no pops or clicks were noted and this is an exceptional clean pressing for a fairly challenging recording. Few copies will even get close to this, truly a gateway into the recording studio and this easily matches the once-placed examples I offered earlier this year. This is one of the most exciting progressive albums I have ever experienced on vinyl and this record does it full justice. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record, one of the classic ‘lost’ prog-psych albums as an original. This copy will prove immensely difficult (and probably very expensive) to find better and is very highly recommended to all - a wonderful copy and experience - one of the best overlooked classic rock albums ever made [followed closely by another on the same label…, look at my next gem on my list].

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortofon Samba Moving Coil cartridge (tracks at 1.8 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

POSTING & PACKING: What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, mostly the very next day after payment is received or within three days maximum (unless on holiday). All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT mailers) with the record(s) REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with TWO VERY THICK stiffners for even extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed. The cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting and offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than 0.1 per percent based on over 5,000+ items sold in over 8 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FOUR records per packet. I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included in the advert.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (SECOND Class Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = FREE. This is the new Ebay rule. HOWEVER I STRONGLY URGE UK WINNERS TO PAY THE £3 FOR THE FIRST-CLASS SERVICE AS THE PACKETS WILL ARRIVE MUCH FASTER AND SAFER.

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £3.

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500).

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£39 maximum]) = £8. (insurance optional extra £3).

NOTE: I NO LONGER SEND TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION. ANY BIDS WILL BE IGNORED.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (any part); Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£39 maximum]) = £12. (insurance optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT neccessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.