PRINCIPAL EDWARDS -  ROUND ONE - ORIGINAL ISSUE - DERAM RECORDS  SML 1108 STEREO

	£		20
	$		27

PRINCIPAL EDWARDS - ROUND ONE - ORIGINAL ISSUE - DERAM RECORDS SML 1108 STEREO. Condition is "Used". Dispatched with Royal Mail 1st Class.
From the sellers privete collection. Owned from new. An album for progressive connoisseurs & vinyl collectors.
PRINCIPAL EDWARDS - ROUND ONE The first record under the shortened "Principal Edwards" banner, but still with theatricials & magic. 
This record was purchased in late 1974  from HMV 363 Oxford St London W1.  It is the original DERAM Records release (Deram was an abbreviation of "Decca Panoramic Sound " a recording technique created by Decca sound engineers).  Identification is as follows :-  Matrix/Runout  (Stamped) : Side A  ZAL-12804. P-2 :Side B  ZAL- 12805. P-2
Valued by RCM at £35 (M) & £28 (EX) I have seen it advertised at over £40 for an equivilent (EX) Copy.
The Record is graded between Excellent (EX) to Very Good (VG) It has no visible surface marks and plays without issue. The label information is perfect & there is no hole distortion. It is in excellent condition for its 47 years of age.
The Cover is graded Good (G) It has a laminated surface both sides. The front face has some peeling of the laminate near the spine as shown & hairline creasing in the bottom RH corner The rear face has some hairline creasing on the base & minor peeling along the spine as shown. The cover is in good condition for its age. 
The Paper Sleeve with plastic insert & Decca "Care for Records" information is excellent.
The Producer was Nick Mason & the Engineers were Dick Plant & Douglas Bogie. 
The album was recorded at De Lane Lea Studios, Wembley, Middlesex. Cover Design was by Mike Giliker & the band photographs by Leena Komppa & Suzette Stephens. 
The musicians playing on this album were:- Belinda Bourquin (Vocals, Keyboards,Violin,Recorders), Root Cartwright (Guitars, Mandolin), David Jones (Congas, Bongos, Percussion), Richard Jones (Vocals, Bass), Geoff Nicholls (Drums & Percussion), Nick Pallett (Vocals, Guitar).    
Having produced two amazing albums & live performances, combining the amalgam of rock & theatrical activities. In December of 1971, there came a split between the fringe theatre aspect & the rock aspect of the original PEMT group, caused by  tensions between the two factions, together with financial difficulties. The nucleus of musical creativity within the band :-  Root Cartwright, Belinda Bourquin & David Jones, formed a new group in early 1972,, with additional new musicians, Richard Jones, Geoff Nicholls & Nick Pallett & an abbreviated name "Principal Edwards".
Over the next three years they gigged throughout the UK. Honing their professional capabilities.  Presenting & performing three musical theatre varations :-  King of Changes, Stone Age Sam, & The Glass White Gangster.  Following which, they recorded this album. (Excellent & innovative as this record is, their forte was always in live shows)
Dispite the excellent revues of their performances, versatility & obvious creativity. Unfortunatly, the record was not a commercial success. Causing the band to re evaluate their direction & management. 
In 1974, they came under the direction of Miles Copland, who from a managerial aspect, suggested the departure of David Jones & the inclusion of Keyboard & Guitar virtuoso Peter White. This addition facilitated Belinda to take a more up front feminine position on stage which the group had previously lacked. 
In preparation for new material the band decamped to a cottage in Devon for writing & rehearsing, (Still with written input from David Jones).  Following a short but highly creative period there, the bend re-emerged & presented their reel to reel demos to Miles Copeland who from a managerial perspective, promptly rejected them flat.  This unfortunate decision, led to the departure of Richard Jones & Peter White to more financial pastures and the dissolving of the group, who took up freelance musical work in TV,  theatre, recording & education.  
All was not lost however, as the original demos, that were not technically fit, or intended to be released, were digitaly worked upon and tweaked by Richard Jones (PE Bass player) to finally emerge as "The Devon Tapes" Released by Cherry Red Records (RED 360) in 2008
PEMT & PE were pioneers of combining rock music & theatrical performances. Like many bands of the 1970s & 80s Their creativity & enginuity, was unfortunatly, never given the respect or finacial security  it richly deserved. 
Some observations on Grading :-
MINT (M) The Record is in brand new condition, no surface marks, no sound quality deteration. Records designated sealed or un-played qualify as mint.  EXCELLENT (EX) The Record shows some signs of being played, but with minimal lessening of sound quality. The COVER &/or packaging may show slight wear &/or creasing.  VERY GOOD (VG) The Record has obviously been played many times, but manifests no sound quality deterioraton. Despite noticeable surface marks &/or light scratching.  Visible wear & tear on the COVER  or additional items, without major defects, is acceptable.  GOOD (G) The Record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, pehaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The COVER and contents may suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.  FAIR (F) The Record is still just playable, but has not been cared for propery and displays considerable  surface noise; it may even jump. The COVER and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.