CYMANDE Promised Heights A1/A1 Orig.1974 PROMO Heavy Afro-Funk RL STERLING NM LP

$

39

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:
CYMANDE
Promised Heights
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JANUS Records JXS 7004
Original 1974 issue • Stereo LP
"RL" (Robert Ludwig) & "STERLING" in Dead wax
PROMO Issue • A1 / A1 PRESS

VINYL is NM-
Full gloss vinyl is just shy of true NM with a very few faintest sleeve marks seen under hard bright light that do not affect play. LP plays NM throughout. "PROMOTION COPY NOT FOR SALE" labels are pristine both sides.
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COVER is VG+
Unipak Gatefold sleeve shows small crescents of faint beginning ring wear, top/bottom edges only. Small corner-tip clip at top left. Inside gatefold is super clean. No creases, writing or soil. Sharp corners and straight edges all around. Seams and spine 100% intact with no wear or splits.

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

AFRO-FUNK Pioneers Outstanding 1974 3rd LP?

FIRST PRESSING
MATRIX NUMBERS
?Side One: JXS - 7004-A - 1A
?Side Two: JXS - 7004-B - 1A
"RL" (Robert Ludwig) & "STERLING" also in Dead wax

Although underappreciated and woefully overlooked, the fine early-'70s outfit CYMANDE was one of the first to merge African rhythms with rock, funk, reggae, jazz and soul. Comprised of members who hailed from such exotic locales as Guyana, Jamaica, and St. Vincent; formed in London, they only made 4 albums in all. By the '90s, CYMANDE became the recipient of a strong cult following as the track, "BRA" was included on the soundtrack to Spike Lee's motion picture Crooklyn, and several of their songs were sampled by rap artists (including Raze, Master Ace, MC Solaar, De La Soul, DJ Kool, and the Fugees).

The CYMANDE dudes have more tried and true classics under their belt than many better known 70's funk groups. All of the three Janus albums are quality stuff. On PROMISED HEIGHTS, their final LP for Janus Records, CYMANDE continues the heavy message theme of Second Time Round. "Pon de Dungle" is about the secrets of life and love articulated over a lazy beat. "Equatorial Forest" is a multifaceted tune with a lightning tempo and sliding, accentuating horns, while the Curtis Mayfield-ish "Brothers on the Slide" is one of their best-ever tracks with major chart appeal.

The flavorful "Changes" is like viewing a good oil painting; the slow, moody instrumental has a meditative effect, and a soft, airy flute makes for an inconspicuous lead instrument. "Promised Heights", the title cut, is strong, and should have done better chart-wise for Cymande. It has the lilt and beauty of earlier sides, the horn work is sensational, and a nice sax solo scintillates. That same looping reggae beat is matched with meaningful lyrics and a positive, working-together theme on "Losing Ground". "The Recluse" has a great hook ("When will all the lights go, will they leave the blackest night") and features a nice romping beat spiced by sweeping horns. Cymande is a perfect example of music's universal appeal; despite possibly not knowing 70-percent of what they're saying, you're easily drawn into the heavy brew of Afro-Funk, Jazz-funk, Reggae and Soul-Rock sounds.


SUPERB Condition on this STERLING, RL (Robert Ludwig) PROMO!

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 CYMANDE
and other 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.
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SHIPPING RATES
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Media Mail: FREE ...additional LPs in same shipment: FREE
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*OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS:
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Those must go by higher (but faster) PRIORITY INTERNATIONAL RATE with FULL TRACKING.
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*PLEASE do not ask me to mark the item as a 'GIFT' for customs. I cannot.
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for packages below $100.00
I will ALWAYS offer you choices
 -the standard LOWEST rate that the US Postal system allows,
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Payment to be received within 7 days of listing end.
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