THE TROOP (Mid 1960's Aceatate EP) Freakbeat. The Sweet. Brian Connolly. Listen

	£		1,020
	$		1,352

 

   

The Troop - The Troop

(UK Acetate 7" EP 1960's)

 

This is the original mid 1960's UK 7" EP Acetate pressing. This is an exceptionally rare release, possibly unique!! Obviously "The Troop" never got to release a record - which is a shame because there are some great tracks on here. I would state that the EP was recorded sometime between 1965-1967. What makes this an extra special find, apart from the great undiscovered music, is the fact that this must be Brian Connolly's, from "The Sweet", first band!!

This is a double-sided acetate. There are two tracks on each side. It has plain "Emidisc" labels on both sides. The group name, tracks & songwriters have been written neatly on the labels. There are four tracks on this EP. They are: In My Opinion, On The Spotlight, You'll Call My Name & Don't Go. All four tracks are self penned & are written by "McManus & Eldridge".

What makes me think that this is Brian Connolly's first group?

There is no doubt about this being an unknown group to feature Brian Connolly. This definitely predates his accepted first group "Wainwright's Gentlemen". Brian Connolly was fostered at age 2 by a couple with the surname "McManus". In fact he used this name until aged 18-20, the exact age is unknown. This was when Brian discovered that he was fostered, & also discovered that his birth mother's surname was "Connolly". He used this surname from there on. All four tracks are credited to "McManus, Eldridge".

Also one of the tracks on this EP "On The Spotlight", not only is a great mid 1960's freakbeat/ psych track, but is also the same track that is on "The Sweet's" first LP "Funny How Sweet Co-Co Can Be", titled "Spotlight".  Curiously on this LP the track is credited as being written by "Connolly, Priest, Scott, Tucker". As stated, on this acetate EP, the track is credited as being written by "McManus, Eldridge".

I am not sure who "Eldridge" is/ was or why he didn't get a credit on "The Sweet" LP for this track.

This is an undiscovered, & important, gem! I have put snippets of three tracks on for you to listen to. They are "On The Spotlight", "In My Opinion" & "You'll Call My Name".  I will put the full tracks onto CD. This will be given to the winning bidder only.

This is a must for any UK Beat/ Freakbeat collector. These are some great undiscovered tunes. But, furthermore, it also happens to be an undiscovered early release to feature Brian Connolly. Therefore it's a must for any "Sweet" fan too. This could very possibly be the only known copy of this item!! I cannot find any mention of this group anywhere!

To listen to On The Spotlight, click below:

To listen to You'll Call My Name, click below:

To listen to In My Opinion, click below:

Condition: Sadly this acetate has not been cared for. There are considerable sleeve rubs, & light some light scuff marks too. There also some light marks. There is one more nasty scratch on the track "Don't Go". It causes some jumps on that track. Luckily this is probably the weakest track on the EP. Fair condition. I have play tested this EP through in its entirety. Apart from the mentioned track which has a scratch on it, it plays through fine. There is noticeable crackle but the music still shines through! The labels are clean.

    >>  Grading Information All grading is very strict & adheres to 'Record Collector' specifications. However, I have fine tuned them & they are explained below. All vinyl is examined closely under a strong light & play tested.

MINT Condition = As good as a copy you would buy from a shop, immaculate!

NEAR MINT Condition = Very nearly mint just slightly under, maybe a couple of very, very light paper sleeve scuffs that can only be seen under strong light. SOME WOULD CLASS THIS AS MINT. This disc has been played a couple of times at most. Cover is virtually perfect - very minimal wear only.

EX Condition = A clean & tidy copy that shows virtually no defects. Maybe one or two light needle scuffs or light sleeve removal marks that can only be seen under strong light. There will be no scratches. Play will be near perfect with no distortion. Cover will be very nice with maybe very minimal creasing, ringwear or edgewear.

NEAR EX Condition = You can tell this record has been played a few times but it has been well cared for. There will be minor surface marks only; that barely detract from the sound quality. Cover may have slight creasing or ringwear. A very serviceable copy that you will be pleased with.

VG Condition = A well played but serviceable copy. There will be a few marks on the vinyl, but they won't be nasty scratches, just relatively light needle scuffs and sleeve removal marks, they will be noticeable but won't detract from play too much. Cover will show signs of storage/ ageing, e.g., creasing, slight folding, spinewear, ringwear or sticker tears. The record will not be trashed!!
>>  Postage Rates

AN INVOICE WILL BE SENT TO YOU VERY SOON AFTER THE AUCTION ENDS. PLEASE WAIT FOR THIS BEFORE PAYING.

Royal Mail have very recently increased their postage rates. So I have revised my postage costs to reflect their increases. (Please note that these prices include packaging costs too)

United Kingdom

7" single = £2.00 add another £1.00 (optional up to £40) for insurance. This is for standard registered items. All insurance must cover the value of the item. Therefore, for expensive items (£80+), Royal Mail "Spcial Delivery" will be used. This will be an extra £5.00.

(You can add up to two 50g 7" singles at no extra postage cost. Insurance needs to be paid only once up to a value of £500)

LP album = £3.70 add another £1.00 (optional up to £40) for insurance. This is for standard registered items. All insurance must cover the value of the item. Therefore, for expensive items (£80+), Royal Mail "Special Delivery" will be used. This will be an extra £5.00.

(Add £1.00 extra per additional LP. Insurance needs to be paid only once up to a value of £500)


Europe

7" single = £3.85 add another £5.15 (optional up to £40) for insurance. This is for Royal Mail 'International Signed For'. All insurance must cover the value of the item(s). Royal Mail 'Airsure' will be used where applicable; this is an extra £5.30 (this is what Royal Mail charges!) Please note that an additional £2.70 may also be charged on high value items (£80+)

(You can add one 50g 7" single at no extra postage cost. Add 0.50p for each additional 7" thereafter. Insurance needs to be paid only once up to a value of £500.)

LP album = £5.85 add another £5.15 (optional up to £40) for insurance. This is for Royal Mail 'International Signed For'. All insurance must cover the value of the item(s). Royal Mail 'Airsure' will be used where applicable; this is an extra £5.30 (this is what Royal Mail charges!) Please note that an additional £2.70 may also be charged on high value items (£80+)

(Add £1.50 extra per additional LP. Insurance needs to be paid only once up to a value of £500. If several items are purchased I generally weigh the package & will charge accurate posting costs.)


USA, Japan & rest of world

7" single = £4.85 add another £5.15 (optional up to £40) for insurance. This is for Royal Mail 'International Signed For'. All insurance must cover the value of the item(s). Royal Mail 'Airsure' will be used where applicable; this is an extra £5.30 (this is what Royal Mail charges!) Please note that an additional £2.70 may also be charged on high value items (£80+)

(You can add one 50g 7" single at no extra postage cost. Add 0.50p for each additional 7" thereafter. Insurance needs to be paid only once up to a value of £500.)

LP album = £9.00 add another £5.15 (optional up to £40) for insurance. This is for Royal Mail 'International Signed For'. All insurance must cover the value of the item(s). Royal Mail 'Airsure' will be used where applicable; this is an extra £5.30 (this is what Royal Mail charges!) Please note that an additional £2.70 may also be charged on high value items (£80+)

(Add £2.00 extra per additional LP. If several items are purchased I generally weigh the package & will charge accurate posting costs.)


IF THE FINAL PRICE OF AN ITEM(S) EXCEEDS £40.00 GBP THEN INSURANCE WILL BECOME MANDATORY. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU ONLY PAY FOR INSURANCE ONCE. IT IS THE SAME COST REGARDLESS OF PACKAGE WEIGHT. SO YOU CAN ORDER MORE ITEMS & PAY NO MORE FOR INSURANCE!

DISCOUNT WILL BE GIVEN ON POSTAGE FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS. SEE PRICES ABOVE.

Please note that these prices are as a general guideline only. For example: Double LPs are classed as two LPs. Also posters, inserts, etc.. can increase postage costs. One parcel must not exceed 2kg (approximately 4-6 LPS).

All records will be sent in good quality vinyl mailers with at least two card stiffeners either side of the LP or 7". I use a cruciform box for larger orders (4-6 LPs). All parcels will be marked "Fragile" and dispatch time will generally be between 1-3 days after payment.

I consider my postage & packaging costs to be very transparent & very fair. Packaging costs will generally be between £0.80 to £1.50. I am not adding any further costs for handling, etc...

Sorry, I only accept Paypal, or money sent in a registered letter from overseas buyers.

Please note that I cannot reimburse payments for any uninsured items lost in the post. Sorry!

If you are uncertain about any of the above, or just simply want some information regarding any item, please do not hesitate to contact me. I welcome any questions.

Remember to check out My Other Items Lots of rare & quality vinyl! Most are UK 1st Pressings. It is quite likely that there will be more records by this artist, or records in a similar vein.