BLACK MERDA Org.1970 Chess HEAVY SOUL PSYCH GRAIL Funkadelic PURPLE IMAGE EX+ LP

$

192

Many rare vintage FUNK, Soul, R&B LPs in Phase 1 of my Spring/Summer series.
All in SUPERB Condition; most with EX+ to NM+ Vinyl
Mostly 1st PRESSINGS, including a large amount of PROMO LPs.
Many, many others still in SHRINK WRAP. Several STILL SEALED.
Quite a few WLP, Sterling, RL, Masterdisk and Monarch pressings in the mix!
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All from a fanatically well-kept collection from long-time former DJ
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Following Soon:
Phase 2 with More vintage and classic SOUL, GOSPEL, R&B, BLUES, JAZZ, (all kinds incl. Funk/Soul-Jazz) and JAZZ SINGER LPs
...then Phase 3 to follow, with a large collection of REGGAE and INTERNATIONAL (Afrobeat, Latin, Caribbean, Brazilian, etc.)
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USA Shipping: FREE
International Shipping Worldwide -at EXACT POSTAGE Only cost
Combined Shipping Discounts

This auction is for:
BLACK MERDA
Self-titled Debut LP
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.CHESS Records LPS 1551
Original 1970 issue • Stereo LP
Original "blue fade" labels w/Red-White CHESS logo

VINYL is EX+
Full gloss vinyl is very close to NM with only very few faintest surface/sleeve scuffs seen under bright hard light. Labels are pristine both sides.
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COVER is VG+
Clean, bright, crisp cover with cut corner, u.l. and small, faint discoloration to that corner. No wear, creases, writing, soil or other marks. Seams and spine 100% intact with no wear or splits.

STRICT CONSERVATIVE GOLDMINE GRADING
NM / EX(VG++) / VG+ / VG

Fantastic Dark Psychedelic Soul and Funk Grail
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Insanely Rare Original Pressing of this classic Black Funk-Psych Masterpiece

Usually linked in with the brief emergence of "black rock" bands that followed Jimi Hendrix in the late '60s and early '70s (Puple Image, etc.), Black Merda's formula was a good bit more complicated than most, and their debut album blends elements of hard rock, blues, soul and embryonic funk with a tough and uncompromising political consciousness that makes the disc at once a product of its time and not quite like anything else around back in the day.

The guitar work from Anthony Hawkins and Charles Hawkins is tough and organic, whether they're stretching out on extended blues jams such as "Over and Over" or cutting some hard R&B-accented rock on "Cynthy-Ruth" and "Prophet". Bassist Vessee L. Veasy (who also contributes most of the lead vocals) and percussionist Tyrone Hite generate a lean but effective groove throughout as they jump from the streetwise soul of "Reality" to the acoustic meditation of "Think of Me".

But as good as the music is on this album, what really sets it apart is the dark vibe reflected in the minor-key tenor of the melodies and the bitter realities of the lyrics. Grinding poverty, racism, political and social inequality, the ongoing nightmare of Vietnam, the growing schism between youth culture and the establishment, and the absence of any easy answers to the dilemmas of a nation spinning out of control dominate songs such as "Reality," "Ashamed," and "That's the Way It Goes" and the grim but wholly appropriate fable of "I Don't Want to Die" ends this album as if a lid were being slammed shut on a coffin.

Black Merda anticipates the grim consciousness-raising of Sly & the Family Stone's There's a Riot Goin' On, which wouldn't arrive in stores until a year after this album...

ORIGINAL CHESS copies are few and far between - especially this clean
*this 1970 album is sometimes erroneously listed as being issued in "1967" or "1968"
This is incorrect and mostly due to mis-information from a modern European reissue.

"recorded in Chicago during the winter of 1970"
is stated right on this original LP's back cover

Disc inside anti-static poly inner sleeve.
Album kept in a protective, poly outer-sleeve.
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Please see my other listings for more  BLACK MERDA
I also have their only other original (1972) LP listed now, a
white label PROMO
...and more
Vintage Collectible Soul, Funk and R&B LPs
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All records packed with vinyl (inside inner sleeve) behind cover - with bubble-wrap around all sides - sandwiched between stiff corrugated flats and shipped in strong LP mailer boxes for best protection in the mail.

Please be aware that these important supplies add to my shipping costs - none of which is charged in your low shipping fee.
My LP packing is considered to be among the very best on eBay. I would have it no other way.

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SHIPPING RATES
...All packages are sent insured (at no added cost to you)

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USA:
Media Mail: FREE ...additional LPs in same shipment: FREE
Priority Mail: $12.40  ...additional LPs in same shipment: $1.00 each.

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For COMBINED SHIPPING: Pay for all items at once, when your last item has ended

ALL OTHER COUNTRIES:
I charge EXACT POSTAGE only, Worldwide.
FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL or PRIORITY INTERNATIONAL - Your Choice.

*OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS:
All packages above 4 Lbs (5-6 or more LPs) can NOT ship by the low 1ST CLASS International rate.
Those must go by higher (but faster) PRIORITY INTERNATIONAL RATE with FULL TRACKING.
These are US Postal System rules, not mine.

*PLEASE do not ask me to mark the item as a 'GIFT' for customs. I cannot.
The postal clerks know better; I ship LPs constantly (over 30 years) and cannot fool them.

for packages below $100.00
I will ALWAYS offer you choices
 -the standard LOWEST rate that the US Postal system allows,
plus the FASTER, but higher rate, which includes Full Tracking.

ALL ITEMS OR COMBINED PACKAGES OF $100.00 OR OVER, SHIPPED OVERSEAS
must ship FULLY INSURED by PRIORITY MAIL INTERNATIONAL for FULL TRACKING.
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Payment to be received within 7 days of listing end.
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I ship as soon as I receive cleared payment and treat ALL my customers and their packages with the greatest respect.