Abstract Truth Parlaphone PCSJ 12065 Silver Trees So. Africa Psych Pokora

$

547

Very rare psych LP out of 1970 South Africa.  Abstract Truth were initially informally formed in Durban in 1969 to play background music for, of all things, a belly dancer.  The lineup had changed several times by the time this LP, their last of wholly new material, was recorded in late 1970.  The LP is heavily favored for its progressive brew of psych, blues and jazz tones strung together with lots of swirling organ and flute (three of the four members on this LP are credited with playing flute).  They even manage to bring in a harpsichord on one of the tracks.  Its inventiveness and rich exploration is all the more impressive considering the context of the oppressive close-mindedness of 1970 South Africa.  Vinyl overall grades a strong VG+, Side 1 close to VG++: only a few very fine hairlines that cannot be felt and do not affect playback, excellent player; some color unevenness in the vinyl dates back to the original pressing but does not impact playback in any way.  Matrix numbers YPEAX 1029 and YPEAX 1030.  Labels are VG+: clean and unmarked with multiple spindle marks.  Outer gatefold sleeve grades VG+: peeling of laminate along opening edge, discoloration in bottom right corner of front, small stain toward upper left corner of front, tightening of laminate on back cover has caused it to pull up along right edge (but mostly unbroken and intact) and on portion of bottom edge, light ring wear, minor corner ding, loosening of laminate along top foldover on inside of gatefold, solid spine, graphics and cover photo are clear and bright (the blurriness of the photo is interesting - the band were experimenting with a photo technique that would create a rainbow effect around anything that moved when the photo was snapped; the photos were taken and the technique was successful but Parlophone balked at paying for a color cover, so black and white it was, which just makes everyone a bit blurry, not a bad effect but not what they were after).  Superior psych LP that rarely comes up for sale or auction.   
Free domestic US standard shipping!  See below for cost of US Priority Shipping, or International Shipping.  Please note that I have two different international shipping price tables depending upon the value of the package and where you live - anything under $125 going anywhere will go by the cheaper First Class International; anything over $125 other than packages going to Japan, UK, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia or Germany (which always qualify for cheaper First Class International shipping) requires Priority International with tracking.  I would prefer not to organize it this way, but due to concerns and prior problems with certain postal services, I need to protect myself on higher priced items.  Please disregard eBay's automatic shipping calculator for priority or international shipping, wait for my invoice or use the appropriate shipping cost below!  I ship using new packaging materials, no shipping in a used Tide box! Shipping includes the cost of the materials:

• PRIORITY 12" DOMESTIC shipping: 1-3 12" for $12; 4-6 12" for $20; 7-9 12" for $23
• INTERNATIONAL 12" shipping: ANY PACKAGE TO JAPAN, UK, CANADA, SWEDEN, NORWAY, FINLAND, NETHERLANDS, SWITZERLAND, RUSSIA OR GERMANY; PACKAGES ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD THAT ARE  VALUED UNDER $125 (USPS First Class International)(Canada $4 less): 1 12" for $21.00; 2 for $24; 3 for $28; 4 for $37, 5-9 for $52.  I am certainly interested in minimizing shipping related costs, since they are unfortunately high, so don't hesitate to message me to discuss options.
• INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS VALUED OVER $125 TO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD EXCEPT JAPAN, UK, CANADA, SWEDEN, NORWAY, FINLAND, NETHERLANDS, SWITZERLAND, RUSSIA OR GERMANY (USPS Priority International): Unfortunately, the lowest cost category of US international shipping that allows for an insured item is USPS Priority International (USPS First Class International is uninsured - that is not my definition of First Class!).  And USPS Priority International is not cheap.  But to protect myself for more valuable items I need to have them insured.  Depending upon your location, 1-2 LPs will cost approximately $40 to ship, 3 LPs about 10% higher.  For these higher value shipments I pay the cost of insurance and do not charge for the packing materials, to help defray the shipping cost.  Also be aware that USPS regulations require the value be written on the custom form to enforce the insurance.  On the bright side, packages get there quicker!  I am certainly interested in minimizing shipping related costs, since they are particularly high with insured services, so don't hesitate to message me to discuss options.    

Quotes provided for others quantities or mixed shipments. 

• Mint (M) (only if sealed).  Not used for 7".
• Near Mint (NM): Very little evidence of use, glossy surface, minimal vinyl marking; labels are clean and crisp with no writing, ring wear or significant spindle marking; jackets are clean and square, no writing, no splits, no ring wear.
• Very Good+ (VG+) : Vinyl shows use but has been well cared for, surface has light scuffs or very light scratches (not feelable) that will not significantly degrade the sound; labels are clean with only minor ring wear, any writing or sticker/residue is discrete, only slight soiling or dirtiness, drill hole OK if label otherwise clean; jackets are clean with no more than light ring wear, minor corner dings, if writing on the cover it is discrete, no more than one slight seam split, light creasing, cutout hole or corner only if rest of jacket is free of defects - multiple flaws of the types described will drop grade.
• Very Good (VG): Vinyl shows significant use with more scuffing or light scratches but will play through without skipping, may be slight warping but will play through (without having to tape a penny to the tonearm like the old days!) and nothing that will cause a significant bobbing of the tone arm, will have surface noise particularly at intro and in soft passages, dimished or irregular gloss; labels may have significant ring wear, more prominent writing or stickers/residue, drill hole, more soiling or dirtiness; sleeves may have multiple splits, writing, creasing, soiling or dirtiness, drill holes or cut corners, and/or ring wear.  This is a common grade for older 45's - they were often stored outside of the sleeve which lead to multiple light surface hairline scratches which have not caused significant damage to the vinyl grooves - they will still afford an enjoyable listen.
• Good (G): Infrequent grade usually only applied to rare items, or to one aspect (i.e. the sleeve) if another aspect (i.e. the vinyl) is a significantly higher grade.  Vinyl may have significant scuffing or scratching, poor gloss, significant noise on playing but should play through; labels may have glaring writing, significant ring wear, extensive sticker residue, dirtiness; sleeves may have substantial ring wear, extensive seam splitting, taping, prominent writing.