Bernard Williams It's Needless b/w Focused USA Harthon 70s Issue VG Northern

	£		18
	$		24

RARE American Harthon Records 45 pressing of Bernard Williams and The Original Blue Notes ‘It’s Needless To Say’ backed with ‘Focused On You’ (Catalogue Reference: Harthon H-136).  Now I’ve seen some refer to this as a 70s re-pressing but whether it is a re-press by the label or a bootleg to meet the increasing demand from the Northern Soul crowd I wouldn’t want to say.  It is clearly a 70s pressing.  There is a lot of information in the run-out grooves.  It reads as follows: ‘H-136-A VIRTUE STUDIOS PHILA PA USA’ (A-Side) and ‘H-136-B VIRTUE STUDIOS PHILA PA USA’ (B-Side).  This came from a small collection of Northern Soul 45s which I believe were assembled in the 70s.  Some were originals and some were re-pressings/bootlegs as the Northern Soul came to the forefront.  This is clearly a re-pressing.  I’m going to try and list these records over the next couple of months.  This will be supplied in a new, plain white sleeve.

CONDITION: VG (VINYL): Like virtually all the records in this small collection this has clearly been enjoyed and seen a relative amount of play.  It is not knackered though.  The biggest issue here is the low-quality of the pressing.  The press has some weight to it but unfortunately there are impurities in the vinyl pressing (tiny little spots which usually indicate that there was dust in the atmosphere where this was pressed which you would ordinarily expect to have been extracted).  This causes a low-level background noise through play which isn’t intrusive simply because this is such a loud recording.  It would be fair to say that the item couldn’t have been played to death simply because the play-back hasn’t been dulled.  Beyond this the next issue to note is limited groove-wear in places on both sides.  I grade under an intense light and I note a relative volume of hairline markings but the surfaces still retain a certain sheen (i.e. they aren’t grey and dull from excessive play).  This plays really well and I have played through both sides and it hasn’t jumped or skipped etc.  There are no marks which can be felt.  You’ll note some wear to the hole around the edges on the A-Side label.  This is still a solid copy of a hard-to-find item.

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intense light there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.