Rainbow – Down To Earth (1979) – Rare White Label & Gold Stamp Promo
$
37
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Description
Centerpiece for classic hard rock discographers and Ritchie Blackmore completionists: a rare, original 1979 U.S. first pressing White Label Promotional copy of Rainbow's classic fourth studio album, Down to Earth, released on Polydor Records (PD-1-6221).
This is a true industry-insider specimen carrying the plain white Polydor labels printed with "Promotion Copy - Not For Sale" text. Etched directly into the runout deadwax are the highly coveted earliest-state matrix paths: PD-1-6221-AS-CP and PD-1-6221-BS-CP. The "-CP" suffix confirms this production run was pressed exclusively at the legendary Columbia Records Pitman plant, known for producing some of the highest quality audiophile-grade vinyl weights of the late 1970s. Because promotional WLPs were struck first off the lathe using pristine, fresh master stampers for radio station distribution, they deliver an incredibly deep, punchy analog soundstage that common stock store copies can rarely match.
This is the definitive album that shifted Rainbow into a sleek, radio-ready hard rock juggernaut, driven by the powerhouse vocal delivery of Graham Bonnet and the massive global hit singles "Since You Been Gone" and "All Night Long". Cut from the absolute earliest generation master tapes at Sterling Sound by mastering icon Greg Calbi, the runout deadwax features the prestigious "STERLING" engineering stamp.
CONDITION GRADING:
Vinyl Condition: Near Mint (NM). The white promo labels are clean with no writing or spindle marks. The vinyl retains its brilliant original factory luster.
Jacket Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+). Solid, thick cardboard sleeve featuring the official gold foil promo stamp. Structurally sound with crisp edges, minor shelf wear at the corners, no seam splits, no cut-out holes. Original inner sleeve included.
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