CARAVAN In The Land Of Grey And Pink 1971 UK DERAM 1st PRESS - EX

SUPERB COPY WITH FLAWLESS, GORGEOUS RICH & WARM SOUND

UK DERAM (SDL-R1) FIRST PRESSING (April 1971) OF CARAVAN'S "In The Land Of Grey And Pink" LP 
LOVELY COPY - PLAYS BEAUTIFULLY THROUGHOUT WITH NO AUDIO ISSUES OF ANY KIND - CUT BY DECCA THE SOUND IS GORGEOUS - DEEP, RICH AND WARM

PRESSED WITH THE VERY FIRST (SMALL) BROWN/WHITE *STEREO* DERAM LABELS 
MATRICES: ZAL - 10424.P - 1D / ZAL - 10425.P - 1D
MOTHERS/STAMPERS: 1/U and 1/C (one of the first off the press) 
THE RECORD IS HOUSED IN THE ORIGINAL OUTER LAMINATED GATEFOLD SLEEVE “Printed in England by Robert Stace”
COMPLETE WITH THE ORIGINAL BLUE STEREO DECCA COMPANY POLY-LINED INNER SLEEVE 

In the Land of Grey and Pink is considered by many to be a pinnacle release from Caravan. 
The album contains an undeniable and decidedly European sense of humour and charm. In addition, this would mark the end of the band's premiere lineup - co-founder David Sinclair would leave Caravan to form Matching Mole with Soft Machine's Robert Wyatt in August of 1971. 
As a group effort, In the Land of Grey and Pink displays all the ethereal brilliance Caravan created on their previous albums. 
Their blending of jazz and folk instrumentation and improvisational styles hints at Traffic and Family, as displayed on "Winter Wine," as well as the organ and sax driven instrumental introduction to "Nine Feet Underground."
These contrast the decidedly aggressive sounds concurrent with albums from King Crimson or Soft Machine. In fact, beginning with the album's title, there seems to be pastoral qualities and motifs throughout. 
Another reason enthusiasts rank this album among their favourites is the group dynamic which has rarely sounded more singular or cohesive. David Sinclair's lyrics are of particular note, especially the middle-earth imagery used on "Winter Wine" or the enduring whimsy of "Golf Girl."

Side 1:
Golf Girl (5:00) 
Winter Wine (7:35) 
Love To Love You (And Tonight Pigs Will Fly) (3:03) 
In The Land Of Grey And Pink (4:59) 
Side 2: 
Nine Feet Underground: Nigel Blows A Tune - Love's A Friend - Make It 76 - Dance Of The Seven Paper Hankies - Hold Grandad By The Nose-Honest I Did! - Disassociation - 100% Proof (22:40) 


VINYL Visual: EX
Both surfaces shine like new with barely a mark to be seen - lovely copy
VINYL Audio: EX
Sensational audio delivery in every respect - crystal clear, deep, rich and warm and my play-check at loud volume found no audio issues of note - this is an exceptionally clean pressing (even on the quietest moments) which sounds absolutely stunning - very, very highly recommended indeed
LABELS: VG+
Clean, bright and labels the initials DEM on the A side in black ink about 1/2" wide. SLEEVE: VG+
The outer laminated Robert Stace printed gatefold is in great shape with no marks, scratches or splits.  Some wear on edges and light ring wear on back only.  Nice heavy lamination.