ASYLUM CHOIR Look Inside (Smash) Leon Russell Marc Benno RARE US 1st Press MINT-

$

25

NOTE: SHIPPING COSTS ARE $9 TO EUROPE / $13 TO USA AND REST OF THE WORLD
Initial shipping costs are $13 for all customers. After purchase and payment,  buyers within  the European Union will receive the appropriate refund of $4. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASYLUM CHOIR Look Inside (Smash SRS 67107) Leon Russell Marc Benno RARE US 1st Press MINT-
RARE very first US pressing of Leon Russell and Marc Benno`s debut album, "Look Inside The Asylum Choir" on Smash Records (1968).  First pressing without "Manufactured and distributed by Mercury Records" reference on the record labels.
"Although this album remains overlooked, the Los Angeles duo of keyboardist Leon Russell and guitarist Marc Benno did all right for themselves anyway. Russell eventually matured into a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, becoming one of music's best session musicians and songwriters thanks to cuts like "A Song for You" and "Superstar" (made famous by the Carpenters). In 2010, Russell's collaborative LP with Elton John, The Union, was voted Number Three on Rolling Stone's Best Albums of 2010. While not seeing the same level of fame, Benno's worked with The Doors, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. 
What We Said Then: "It is vital, freaky and exciting… The music is good-times rock; it has the same funky joy that Lovin' Spoonful used to have… The Asylum Choir's is a well-produced album, but it has not lost presence; you can feel the music as well as hear it… The Choir hasn't been receiving a lot of attention, but they are already well developed and together. If they survive the second-album temptation to go through changes, they may prove to be a major force in rock." By David Gancher, November 23rd, 1969." - From: 20 Albums Rolling Stone Loved in the Sixties That You`ve Never Heard.
GRADING:
EX(+) COVER in very fine all-round condition. Please see photos for details.
- US first-pressing gatefold sleeve, well looked after with minimal storage wear only.
- Slightly frayed corner at bottom left.
- Minor corner bumps at top left and right.
- Minimal record imprint on the rear sleeve, as shown.

MINT- RECORD that looks practically unplayed. 
- Near-perfect vinyl on both sides, with impeccable audio reproduction throughout.
- Visually pristine record, with no hairlines, scuffs or other signs of previous play at all.
- Original Smash Records labels with a single, near-invisible spindle line on each side.
- Absolutely first US pressing labels without Mercury Records distribution reference!
- The matrix stamps in the run-off grooves read "SR 67107 - A - S1" on Side One and "SR 67107 - B - S2" on Side Two.  
- This copy of "Look Inside The Asylum Choir" is certified to be a very first US pressing, issued in 1968. 
PLEASE NOTE: Not to be compared with the more-often-than-not substandard vinyl on offer on eBay, this item is in honestly-graded EX+ to MINT- condition. For more information on the veracity and reliability of my grading, I kindly refer the prospective buyer to my feedback comments and seller rating.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: SHIPPING COSTS ARE $9 TO EUROPE / $13 TO USA AND REST OF THE WORLD

Initial shipping costs are $13 for all customers. After purchase and payment,  buyers within  the European Union will receive the appropriate refund of $4.