MAGIC MIXTURE - This Is… VERY RARE Orig UK 1968 EX++ LP

	£		97
	$		129

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Artist or Band: THE MAGIC MIXTURE

Album Title: This is Magic Mixture.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: (I’m So) Sad; Urge to Leave; You; Slowly the Day; New Man; Living on a Hill.

Side 2: It’s Alright By Me; When I Was Young; Hey Little Girl; Tomorrow’s Sun; Motor Bike Song; Moon Beams.

Label/Format: Saga – Original matt black and silver text format with deep inner ring ridge.

Label Conditions: Two stunning examples that are little short of reference standard. Intense black labels like this tend to show every blemish freely, but on this pair there is so little to show. Just a couple of faint spindle marks each side and will a better copy of this rare psych album be found? Clearly a record barely handled or played, this will be very hard to find like this again.

Cat Number: STFID 2125.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 160 grams. A super weight for this and any album.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Original Year of Release: 1968

Rarity: Rare: and not just so for the units sold or how many ever show up. Saga was only a small label and many collectors will know pressing quality was often an issue. This and other albums on Saga often are let down by being noisy with crackle, pops and clicks – even from new. This seemed something of a lottery to what degree of ‘noise’ was present. Well this copy proved something of a revelation. It plays beautifully with any inherent surface noises or pressing sounds minimal, light and faint and nothing spoilt my pleasure in hearing this first issue sounding so fine. For prog-psych collectors needing a top copy of this elusive album in practically as new condition look no further. Even the very wear-prone cover has aged little with any discolour to the highly vulnerable back being modestly light and the front looks fantastic. Being made from ultra thin card means few escape major wear and damage. This is an example in many thousand that almost looks and plays like a new record – one of the small percentages ever made that offers quality sound with little unwanted. For good measure, the original Saga inner sleeve is included too. Saga is not a label too well known for it’s acts, but Magic Mixture is one of those ‘lost’ albums that has eluded many for years and deserves it’s place within psych-rock Hall of Fame. Another interesting obscurity that disappeared through the mist of time, here to be enjoyed as it appeared back in 1968.

Matrix Nos: STFID 2125 A-3 / STFID 2125 B

Brief Artist & Album Info: A very rare one-off psychedelic-pop album, issued on the small label Saga. This is a mini classic, if somewhat obscure, album from that heady era and year and this record will thrill collectors of the garage-psych genre. The Magic Mixture were part of the London Underground scene and were: Jim Thomas (lead guitar); Stan Curtis (organ), Melvyn Hacker (bass) and Jack Collins [real name Jack McCulloch] (drums). Together they play an exciting blend of catchy songs with a very distinctive psych sound. Similar maybe to Tomorrow, Andwella’s Dream and even The Small Faces later albums. This is only the second copy of this psych gem I have ever had to offer, the other being at least five years ago. Few will ever surface with a record this clean and so little played and offer such clean sound, especially on this label. Classic psychedelia like this is highly collectable and sort after, small sales eventually meant obscurity and split-up – exactly what happened to The Magic Mixture, even though the back cover predicted a band ‘on their way the top’. Hardly unique for bands of this type even the wonderful Kaleidoscope (UK) were doomed to a similar fate but did at least make three classic albums. A rare chance to own one the great ‘lost’ albums from this highly inventive and exciting era.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT with the front being Excellent++. A single format, laminated on the front and being made with thin card that withstands heavy handling and bad storage badly. Printed and made in England, a product of Saga Records Ltd.

Lamination & Front: By some considerably distance, the best I have ever seen, this front is in supreme condition with super fresh, shiny and fully adhered laminate. Any friction rubs or dulling is ultra fine and faint and barely a noteworthy crease to be seen. Full adhesion and lack of creasing is a near impossible ask on this fragile and flimsy cover, but this offers just that. The artwork’s colour is rich and vivid and this gorgeous front blows away it’s age and fragility.

Cover Back: Unprotected and white, most all of these types will show major wear and discolour. This one has fared very well indeed really and although age really should not be a factor for condition, it has to be a consideration, even more so for cover like this. This has darkened only slightly with any traces of grubbiness very mild indeed as are any marks Most all of these are seen browned and badly stained and rife with penetrating grubbied ringwear which this has avoided. A very fine 42-year-old back that only gives mild hints to the fact and it will prove difficult to find much better.

Top Edge: One tiny surface chip only.

Bottom Edge: Practically unworn.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean and sharp with no tearing or burring, this guaranteed untrimmed. All reitterates to how few times the record has been removed. This vulnerable edge is exceptional and even the fine exposed strip where the laminate ends short of full width on the front has not chipped, faded or grubbied.

Spine and Text: Solid but quite thin, quite straight with only mild compressions and little wear. All text is perfect and unworn under the very solid and unpeeled laminate.

Corners: All four retain superb shape with any tip rubs tiny and light.

Cover Summary: Put into context, a super all-round example of this rare psych 60’s cover, one that will prove very difficult to find much better. The front is stunning and almost sets the standard. This attractive item should please most collectors.

The Inner Sleeve: This is the original Saga logo text inner that was unlined and made with very thin, fragile paper. Few survive intact and with a 160 gram record inside it’s pretty amazing this has pretty much done do. It has aged in terms of discolour with seam glue darkening also. Some creasing to the corners but the edges are intact. It includes the ‘Patent Applied For’ text.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT++ and arugably undergraded at that. Even from new, Saga records often had pressing marks and blemishes within the grooves, as stated, a small label with variable pressing quality. Any surface marks here are few and faint and seldom does a copy of this label and album surface that offers quality approaching the better labels of the day. A very fine visual copy that is clean, shiny, intense black and very heavily pressed. This is likely to prove a substantial upgrade for many and without any doubt has hardly been played. Visually as impressive as Saga records get and this psych gem will be incredibly hard to find better or even match.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: It’s always a nervous time playing a Saga or similar small label record from this period. I almost expect surface noise to be present, and often in substantial quantity. So it was with delight to find this copy in such clean and enjoyable condition. This record plays up to it’s high visual grading with very little to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is almost as good as it ever gets with any surface sounds minimal, very light and gentle. No pops or clicks were noted and this is an exceptional clean pressing for a Saga record and that is no understatement. Exceeding my previous copy and blowing away any others I have heard and rejected since, at last one that offers enjoyable audio quality. The production is average with emphasis on the low frequencies but nothing I can do about that of course, records can only sound as they were made and this is just that. The music shines through and it will take an exceptional copy to even match, let alone better this. Both channels are clean and sharp, I am certain this record has been played very lightly and has been clearly carefully handled. Nothing of any note at all spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record. In terms of Saga records, they hardly get better but, (obviously) are never Decca standard.This copy will prove very difficult to find significantly better and can be strongly recommended.

Final Summary: Great record, great copy and rare. A terrific time-piece for the psych period. The sounds embedded in these vintage unworn grooves are ultra clean and fresh sounding. Clearly a copy that has avoided the use and abuse from those heady days and I am delighted to offer this title in such fine conditions – I don’t think I will ever find the record in much better condition and the cover sets a high standard too, the front being truly exceptional and beautiful to view. It’s a copy I can strongly recommend to most collectors, if 1960s psychedelia is your thing, do not lose this exceptional set.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with QED Silver terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET - PLEASE SEE MY TYPICAL PACKING BOX PICTURE.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional thick boxes (NOT Mailers or Cruciforms, these do not offer maximum protection). The record(s) REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with THREE or EVEN FOUR ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. The thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. Please see my picture of a typical finished box packet that will now be used on ALL transactions as from now. I do not profit on posting and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. These boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand based on over 6,000+ items sold in over 8 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 3 or 4 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FOUR records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included here and on ALL of my adverts. Details below:

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£40 maximum]) = £9. (insurance optional extra £3). Add £2.50 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£39 maximum]) = £13. Add £4 per extra LP. (insurance optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT neccessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.