TRAFFIC SELF-TITLED lp, LAST EXIT, HOLE IN SHOE, MULBERRY BUSH & PRESS CUTTINGS

	£		62
	$		82

UNIQUE TRAFFIC PACKAGE –SELF TITLED 2nd lp,  LAST EXIT lp, HOLE IN MY SHOE & MULBERRY BUSH singles + PRESS CUTTINGS

THE ALBUMS

TRAFFIC SELF TITLED 2nd lp  First  UK Pressing
Matrix and  MOTHER STAMPERS:
A-side: ILPS 9081 T A // 2     1     B-side: ILPS 9081 T (triangle) 5     1
Catalogue number: ILPS 9081T.
Sleeve EXCELLENT This is the Original UK LP with the Garrod & Lofthouse gatefold sleeve and an 8 page booklet stapled inside. The unlaminated sleeve is still bright and glossy in EXCELLENT condition with no tears or splits but there is slight creasing at the top edge of the front and some very light wear to some corners; there isn’t any writing, taping or stickers either.
Spine EXCELLENT the spine is firm and totally legible
Booklet there is the original 8-page booklet stapled inside with full sized Black and White photos of the group. It is in EXCELLENT condition with no tears, creasing, writing, taping or stickers.
Inner Sleeve is the original Made in England paper/poly lined inner sleeve is still in good condition. I will also include the original plastic outer that I bought with it, which still fits tightly and has successfully kept the dust off for all these years
Record It’s pressed on heavyweight vinyl. The record itself is clean and glossy and the disc retains its deep, black vinyl sheen. There are some faint hairline marks on both sides but nothing ugly or deep
Labels EXCELLENT    This UK 1st press is on the slightly textured  earliest ‘eye’ Island label. They show minimal signs of use, have no writing and are clean with almost imperceptable spindle marking.
Audio Quality This is quite difficult as overall it falls between EXCELLENT MINUS/ to GOOD Although it plays really well the usual vinyl hiss and crackle between tracks and some quieter passages is louder than you would expect if it was graded as EXCELLENT. However, this doesn’t really detract from the overall sound, which is still amazing. But, there is a definite jump on the last track on side 2, “Means to an End.” Although deep cleaning would probably improve it as well as the overall sound of the album, I think it reduces the classification of the whole album.
Side one "You Can All Join In", "Pearly Queen" "Don't Be Sad" "Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring" "Feelin’ Alright?” Side two   "Vagabond Virgin”, Forty Thousand Headmen”  "Cryin' to Be Heard" “No Time To Live”  "Means to an End"

Last Exit    First  UK Pressing     Matrix: ILPS9097 + A/B
Catalogue Number: Island ILPS9097  Released 1969
Sleeve EXCELLENT This is the Original UK LP with the Ernest.J.Day and co unlaminated  gatefold sleeve which is still bright and glossy in EXCELLENT condition with no tears or splits but there is the slightest hint of ringwear at the top of the back and some very light wear to some corners; there isn’t any writing, taping or stickers either.
Spine EXCELLENT the spine is firm and totally legible
Inner Sleeve is the original plain paper inner sleeve is still in good condition. I will also include the original plastic outer that I bought with it, which still fits tightly and has successfully kept the dust off for all these years
Record It’s pressed on heavyweight vinyl. The record itself is clean and glossy and the disc retains its deep, black vinyl sheen. There are some faint hairline marks on both sides but nothing ugly or deep
Labels EXCELLENT    This UK 1st press is on the earliest slightly textured ‘eye’ Island label. They show minimal signs of use, have no writing and are clean with almost imperceptable spindle marking.
Audio Quality Again this is quite difficult as overall it falls between EXCELLENT MINUS/ to GOOD It plays really well but the usual vinyl hiss and crackle between tracks and some quieter passages is louder than you would expect if it was graded as EXCELLENT. However, this doesn’t really detract from the overall sound, which is still amazing. But,Track 4 side 1 Withering Tree has a noticeable repeating pop for about half the length of the song but doesn’t jump and is not as loud as the main music track. Although deep cleaning would probably improve it and the overall sound a lot I think it reduces the overall classification of the whole album.
Side 1 1. Just for You (2:18)  2. Shanghai Noodle Factory (5:06)  3. Something's Got a Hold of My Toe (2:14)  4. Withering Tree (3:04)  5. Medicated Goo (3:36)
side 2 6. Feelin' Good (10:40)  7. Blind Man (7:06) 

Please remember even new, factory fresh vinyl is likely to have some   clicks and pops, but the richness of sound will always be better than digital. OK eventually the robots and aliens will make digital sound as good, but until then, it’s a compromise, you have to choose; deep rich tones and a beautiful sleeve (often with lyrics or other notes) or clinical sterility with nothing to see and a narrow frequency range.

THE SINGLES considering these are 45’s, which had much more repeated use at parties etc than LPs did, they have survived really well apart from some of the usual vinyl hiss and crackle. Audio quality falls somewhere between Very Good and Fair; although deep cleaning would probably improve them. in original matching paper sleeves which are not marked but do have some creasing and some tearing next to the centre holes
Hole in My Shoe c/w Smiling Phases  First U.K. Pressing
Very rare low 1st pressing stampers!
Matrix / Runout:Side 1:WIP+6017-A1/B1   D&C
Record VERY GOOD-FAIR The record itself is clean and glossy and the disc retains its deep, black vinyl sheen. There are some faint marks on both sides but nothing ugly or deep to affect the sound quality of Hole in My Shoe, which is VERY GOOD; however, Smiling Phases is only classifiable as FAIR – see below
Labels VERY GOOD The Classic UK 1st Press pink, slightly textured  earliest ‘eye’ Island label. They show some minimal signs of use, have no writing and are clean with minimal spindle marking.
Audio Quality Hole in My Shoe, which is VERY GOOD plays really well apart from some of the usual vinyl hiss and crackle,which doesn’t detract from the overall sound, which is still amazing It lays flat on the turntable and plays without the needle sticking or jumping. BUT I have had to downgrade Smiling Phases to FAIR due to the fact that it has a repeating click for much of its length caused by a noticeable scratch, which can be seen in the photo.

Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush c/w Coloured Rain
First U.K. Pressing   Very rare low 1st pressing stampers!
Matrix / Runout: side 1 ZTSP  P  124468 – 1 EXP side 2 ZTSP 124469 –1 – EXP
Record VERY GOOD The record itself is clean and glossy and the disc retains its deep, black vinyl sheen. There are some faint hairline marks on both sides but nothing ugly or deep to affect the sound quality
Labels VERY GOOD The Classic UK 1st Press pink, slightly textured  earliest ‘eye’ Island label. They show some minimal signs of use, have no writing and are clean with minimal spindle marking.
Audio Quality VERY GOOD Again, considering it’s a 45 which had much more repeated use at parties etc than LPs did, it plays really well apart from some of the usual vinyl hiss and crackle,which doesn’t detract from the overall sound, which is still amazing

PRESS CUTTINGS I’m also including a few press cuttings from Melody Maker and Sounds from the same period I found them tucked in behind the albums. I think they are all very rare, as I’ve never seen them referred to in books or on the web. They include two reviews of the second lp, as well as a couple of much later albums as well as several which deal in detail with the various, ongoing splits and reconciliation’s within the group over its career.

Summary: these ICONIC, progressive rock masterworks  are a lovely pieces of genuine memorabilia from a bygone time that changed the world, as well as the way that music is made, and would grace any collection. If you haven’t heard them on vinyl this could be for you. It certainly doesn’t sound almost 50 years old. Admittedly they are not in Mint condition, although the albums overall, count as EXCELLENT but that is why I’m starting at a sensible price so a genuine fan or collector can enjoy them without paying rip off prices.
I’m not a dealer of any sort, but am just downsizing and having to clear things out and trying to survive on a poxy pension. Good luck with your bidding and feel free to ask any question.

A Word About Payment and Postage
Sorry but I accept Paypal only and it will be posted as soon as payment has cleared, which must be paid within 24hours of the end of the auction. This may seem harsh but I’m fed up with time wasters!
I use 12" Vinyl LP Record Cruciform postal mailers and protect them with an additional layer of bubblewrap. In the UK I use Royal Mail Signed For. If you require some other form of postage/delivery, I’m more than happy providing you meet the extra costs. If you are outside the UK, I will use Ebay’s own service.