991.com Sleevenotes : A Blog about Collecting Rare Vinyl 7", 12" & LP Records, CDs, Memorabilia & Music

KPM Library Records

Not as plain and boring as you think. Some of the greatest unheard music is buried away on library records. Often squeezed into modern day DJ sets without you realising, the music therein is part of a wider vintage retro appeal, and who are we to argue. Especially seeing as we've just acquired a nice selection of KPM library LP rarities. Some of the famous KPM cues include the theme tunes to Grandstand, Wimbledon & Countdown! Besides that, in-house composers such as Keith Mansfield, Brian Bennett (The Shadows), Alan Hawkshaw (The Shadows, The Mohawks) are now choice names to look out for amongst producers and beat lords (Danger Mouse/Gnarls Barkley a case in point). Get diggin' here and here.

 

More British Jazz than you can shake a stick at!

It's all going on in our jazz store these days! We've got hard to find LPs in stock by Tony Oxley, a bundle of Mike Westbrook rarities, choice titles by Michael Garrick, Keith Tippett, John Surman, big ticket albums from Dick Morrissey and Tubby Hayes, female vocal gems from Norma Winstone and Ilene Day...

Minty Frankie Blue Eyes!

We don’t often buy Frank Sinatra collections. Nothing against the music, the man was a true legend among men, but we just don’t find the wax in the condition we like anymore. But… every so often the stars align and we pull up something truly remarkable that reminds us just what we're here for. Fans of ‘The Voice’, rejoice. It is no hyperbole when we say the latest Sinatra arrivals are turning up as minty fresh as we like. The original LPs - the sleeves still a perfect off-white and the vinyl looking like it was pressed only yesterday - are selling like hot cakes. The EPs are coming shortly.

Ring-a-ding-ding, indeed. This is a one-previous owner collection and a one of a kind discovery that doesn’t come around often. If you want your Frankie UK LPs mint, you’d better hop on over to the Frankie store pretty quick! First come first served, don’t say we didn’t warn you…

At The Jazz Store

Swing your panties jazz fans, there's a healthy portion of modern jazz LPs that have just hit the site, all quality titles and mostly British artists. They're all wallet pounders too, but if these are on your wants list prepare to act fast; not only are they all practically mint but they're selling quick. Here's a selection of in-stock titles at the 991 Jazz Store:

Don Rendell/ Ian Carr - Change Is

Neil Ardley - Greek Variations

Mike Westbrook - Love Songs

Michael Garrick - October Woman

Nucleus - We'll Talk About It Later

http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=467257

Brian May &... Dappy (from N-Dubz)?!

Whatever next. First there was Lou Reed & Metallica, now this. The collaboration between Queen guitarist Brian May and N-Dubz mainman Dappy has just been released online.

Speaking to the Daily Star, the rapper revealed that he has paid tribute to Amy Winehouse and the other members of the so-called '27 club', musicians who died at that age such as Nirvana's Kurt Cobain and Janis Joplin on the track.

Dappy on the inspiration behind 'Rockstar': "It's all about paying homage to the 27 Club and amazing artists such as Amy Winehouse. It's a song about people getting to their lowest but it talks about turning a negative into a positive."

The rapper also spoke about how he came in contact with May and revealed that the guitarist had told him that he was a "very different and unique". You be the judge.

News courtesy of the NME.

2011 Blues Collection

As 2011 comes to a close, the deadline for completion of the 12,000 strong blues LP collection is fast approaching. Seeing how we've barely scratched the surface, it looks like we'll have to push that date back another year (our plan was only pencil scrawled on the back of a cigarette pack anyhow).

As we've discovered, this collection is not all blues. We've found everything from a rare psych single by The Fox, a fully autographed LP by The Human League, and even something for you real trainspotters out there. And if you can't shake dem blues, have a browse through the lot. The vast majority is the real deal blues, including recently added rarities by Bukka White, Cripple Clarence Clofton, John Lee Hooker... get stuck in this xmas.

Sketches Of Spain

Yes, we've entered the land of donkeys and bullfights, big hats and flamenco, to unturn an exotic bunch of LPs in a jazz stylee. So far to hit the site, rare titles by Dizzy Gillespie, Paul Gonsalves, Sonny Stitt, Archie Shepp, and two beauties by Ornette Coleman. Some of these pressings you just don't find for sale anywhere anymore - keep an eye out for a Spanish original of Wayne Shorter's Adam's Apple LP later this week!

Ornette Coleman - On Tenor LP

Ornette Coleman - The Empty Foxhole LP

Fugazi Release Online Gig Archive

Time to get in on the kill taker! In keeping with their DIY roots, Washington DC post-hardcore legends Fugazi are set to roll out their entire archive of 800 concert bootlegs to the online community. At a low affordable cost, the fans will have the option to separate the wheat from the chaff.

News courtesy of The Guardian

Depeche Mode's Martin Gore & Vince Clark announce new band

Original Depeche Mode founders Martin Gore and Vince Clark have reunited to form a new band called VCMG.

This will be the first time Clark and Gore have worked together since 1981, when Clark left Depeche Mode due to creative differences, going on to form Yazoo with singer Alison Moyet, and then Erasure with vocalist Andy Bell.

Their first EP titled Spock will have an exclusive release at the end of the month with a general release on December 13th, while their as-yet-untitled debut LP is expected to arrive in 2012.

All in all, It's Just Another App In The Store

Today marks the release of the official This Day in Pink Floyd App available on iTunes for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

The app is packed with information about the legendary British group covering 366 days of the year, including trivia, quiz questions and song-specific profiles. It also provides a guide to all official Floyd tracks, and contains 200 quiz questions, 200 bits of trivia, 100 images, two wallpaper screen images, one ringtone ('Shine on You Crazy Diamond') and the recently restored video for 'Point Me at the Sky'.

Check it out!

http://www.thisdayinmusicapps.com/

Of course, it's not a patch on the real physical product. Browse the largest Floyd back catalogue of goodies on the web right here: 

http://991.com/CollectorsStores/Artist/Pink+Floyd.aspx

Mucho moolah for molar (or how Happiness Is A Warm Gum)

Just when we thought we’d seen it all, a tooth formerly belonging to John Lennon is to be auctioned on November 5.

The ex-Beatle's molar will be sold at the Omega Auction house in Stockport, and has a reserve price of £10,000.

Here's the BBC for a closer inspection.

Kiss The Bottle

 

Ready “to set your taste buds on fire”, Kiss have a new line of alcoholic beverages in customized KISS packaging available across Europe this fall.

The Zin Fire Wine is said to be a “bold and fruity 2010 California Zinfandel” with a blend of blackberry and pepper. Meanwhile the Destroyer Beer threatens to leave you droopy tongued and gutter bound in full make up... with no recollection of any TV-hotel window incident (we're making it up now).

Check out kissrockdrinks.com

Smashing

The Smashing Pumpkins have issued details on their upcoming album Oceania. Will they ever return to the great heights of Gish, Siamese Dream or Mellon Collie? Probably not, but let's hope it rocks all the same.

Although there’s no release date as yet, the full track listing is:

Quasar
Stella P and the People Mover
Panopticon
The Celestials
Violet Rays
My Love is Winter
One Diamond, One Heart
Pinwheels
Oceania
Pale Horse
The Chimera
Glissandra
Inkless
Wildflower

The band will also be playing the following shows in November:

Fri. 11: Manchester O2 Apollo

Sat. 12: Glasgow O2 Academy

Sun. 13: Newcastle O2 Academy

Tue. 15: London Brixton O2 Academy

Wed. 16: London Brixton O2 Academy

Fri. 18: Sheffield O2 Academy

Sat. 19: Birmingham O2 Academy

Find out more by subscribing at www.smashingpumpkins.com

When Pigs Fly

Not just any old pig, but the one from the cover of Pink Floyd’s 1977 album Animals is set to float above Battersea Power Station on September 26, to launch the campaign for the new ‘Why Pink Floyd…?’ re-masters set - a collector’s edition series of all 14 Floyd albums, containing previously unreleased material.

Apparently EMI had planned for the original pig to fly above the London landmark, but the neoprene creature was declared ‘un-airworthy’, so a new PVC replica was made.

Note, we resisted the urge to ham-up this post with puns and similar type hogwash, but there you go.

Angel(s) Of Death

Don't mess with Tori. She will take you down. Especially if you're a metaller. Speaking to the press recently, Tori Amos has issued a challenge to every metal band on the planet – would any of them dare to take her on in a musical showdown?

Apparently after an endorsement from WWF wrestling legend Mick Foley, the singer-songwriter goddess claims she can stand toe-to-toe with any heavy metal band in the world. Game on we say. Find out more at www.toriamos.com

We know she's covered Slayer in the past; maybe another unlikely collaboration for Metallica?

London Underground bans Lulu

No, not the M&S-“Shout” lady (hardly), but M&R, we’re calling this = Metallica and Lou Reed. A poster for their collaborative album, Lulu, has reportedly been banned on the tube. Deemed to be too much like a piece of graffiti, a la Banksy, or actually maybe Andy Warhol or Jean Michel Basquiat, who would be rolling in their graves at the thought of it. Well it is a bit, you know, horror movie, but we're guessing that was the idea.

The first glimpse of what to expect from the album was revealed earlier this week with a 30 second clip of a song called The View. We're all dead excited to hear the full thing in the office (well I am anyway), especially after a mixed response from both sets of fans.

Out November 1st

Freddie Mercury Day

 

Queen's Freddie Mercury would have been 65 today, and as he is currently being celebrated with a new 'Google Doodle' on the web giant's homepage, we felt it was only necessary to get involved too, and honour the occasion with a pair of full Queen signatures, one a ticket stub for the 12th July '86 Wembley Stadium show, and the other a very special fan-club only Wedding card from 1991...

Jazz Is The New Rock

In addition to our 'Classic Rock' posts, we might have to add a 'Classic Jazz' category in future. Just look at these rare beauties that have entered the building!

If you're quick you have until midnight tomorrow to use the voucher code 'AUGUST15' for 15% off too! Just follow the links below:

KENNY DORHAM Quiet Kenny

Very rare and in demand original 1959 US 7-track deep groove mono vinyl LP on a purple New Jazz label with silver print, flat edge and 'RVG' stamper in the run-out. Also stars Tommy Flanagan on Piano, Paul Chambers on Bass and Arthur Taylor on Drums, for what was one of Dorham's greatest works outside of Blue Note. Pasted laminate picture sleeve NJLP8225

MILES DAVIS Bags' Groove

Rare 1959 UK Esquire issue of the classic 1954 7-track mono LP with flat edge and 'RVG' stamper, starring the modern jazz giants Sonny Rollins, Milt Jackson, Thelonious Monk, Horace Silver, Percy Heath & Kenny Clarke. The front laminated flipback sleeve is a design variant to the US Prestige issue. Despite a little edge wear, the sleeve is excellent and the vinyl looks barely played!

MILES DAVIS The Musings Of Miles

Hard to find 1955 UK 6-track mono LP, with Red Garland on Piano, Oscar Petteiford on Bass and Philly Joe Jones on Drums, released on Prestige in the US and here on Esquire in the UK on lovely heavyweight vinyl with very nice unique Esquire-only sleeve design. The sleeve is fully laminated with scalloped flipbacks, and shows some yellowing with age, however the vinyl is practically mint with pristine labels!

MILES DAVIS Birth Of The Cool

Incredibly rare original 1956 UK 11-track mono LP on the turquoise Capitol label, featuring early 1949 to early 1950 recording sessions that marked a turning point in jazz towards a more stylistic sound. Includes the masterful 'Move' and 'Boplicity'. The sleeve is fully laminated and in beautiful condition; the spine is immaculate, the scalloped flipbacks secure and the print  unblemished, with only the lightest signs of ringwear starting to show. The vinyl is near mint T762 

CANNONBALL ADDERLEY Somethin' Else

Rare and in demand original 1958 US 5-track deep groove mono vinyl LP, on a Blue Note label with 'West 63rd' address both sides, plus 'RVG' and 'ear' markings in the run-outs. One of many Blue Note classics, this one is a particular standout as it includes not only Cannonball's but some of Miles Davis' very best work, who appears here along with Hank Jones, Sam Jones & Art Blakey. 'Autumn Leaves' and 'Love For Sale' are among the most beautiful andcontemporary renditions ever recorded! Pasted laminate sleeve. A simply a must-own for the jazz fan BLP1595

SONNY ROLLINS Sonny Rollins Quintet

Rare 1957 UK 4-track mono 10" LP, with Kenny Dorham on trumpet, Elmo Hope piano, Percy Heath bass and Abdullah Buhaina drums. The 10" laminated flipback sleeve is a unique Esquire-only design, and has just onesmall blemish visible on the spine but is otherwise a solid excellent example. The vinyl is so clean, and really does look barely played. A gorgeous one previous owner copy for one lucky jazz cat!

Loutallica

A rather unexpected collaboration this. Metallica have got together with Lou Reed for an album project entitled... Lulu, apparently inspired by the 'Lulu Plays' by German expressionist writer Frank Wededkind, which tell a story of a young abused dancer's life.

We're not quite sure how either fan camp will respond to this, but we're sure they've all bookmarked loureedmetallica.com/. Find out how it sounds when the album drops in October!

I Am Damo Suzuki, Ahoy!

This has to be one of the maddest sounding local gig listings to crop up this year.

Immortalised in song on The Fall's 1985 album This Nation's Saving Grace and worshiped by the alternative crowd for his improvised lyrics, sung in no particular language, with legendary Krautrockers Can, Damo Suzuki is coming to Gillingham! Well it makes perfect sense. But not only is Damo bringing his mystical ramblings to the River Medway, Kent, he will perform them to a select crowd of 100 inside a moored 40 metre steel-hulled lightship vessel, otherwise known as the LV21. Of course. Aided by local music 'sound carriers' UpCDownC, it was never going to be a sit down gig at your local, which is just as well really. So stock up on your nautical phrases, batten down the hatches (or something) and prepare to drink like a fish:

Sat 24 September - Damo Suzuki with UpCDownC at Lv21 - Lv21, Gillingham, UK (super limited tickets on sale in Aug)