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Post by hatter_in_macc on Jun 2, 2024 18:45:53 GMT
Brilliant stuff, Gazz-man!
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Post by gazz on Jun 14, 2024 12:51:41 GMT
After learning of the passing of 'Gaps' Hendrickson, I visited The Selecter's official website to read the news. While there, I discovered that they released a new album last April called 'Human Algebra', so I gave it a listen on Deezer and I really enjoyed it. I've just received a Limited edition red vinyl copy of the album today and I'm playing it as I type. It's a really good listen for anyone that's into Ska, with the brilliant Pauline Black sounding as good as ever, ably assisted by 'Gaps' and is helped along by the brilliant drums of original drummer, Charley 'Aitch' Bembridge - along with John Bradbury from The Specials, he's a real favourite of mine. It's an excellent addition to my collection. I had to use a stock internet image for the cover, as the light in the room kept showing a reflection of the entire room against the cellophane wrap on my copy when I tried to photograph it... The vinyl was okay to photograph, though - here's my copy...
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Post by gazz on Jun 14, 2024 15:07:33 GMT
Going back to the Specials 'Phone Call Tapes' bootleg LP, I've decided to make an insert to go in the plastic sleeve to sit in front of the plain sleeve that it came with, just to give it something to identify it. Plain sleeve... The record itself, with plain, white label... The insert I've created, which is in keeping with the the design of the official 1992 Chrysalis '2-Tone' release... And with everything inside the plastic sleeve... I'm boring, I know, but it keeps me off the streets!
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Post by Epworth Hatter on Jun 14, 2024 18:50:11 GMT
Fantastic, gazz
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Post by ceefer on Jun 29, 2024 16:42:30 GMT
Seeing Imperial Age 'liv'e this evening and am allowed to take the camera in as well.
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Post by gazz on Jul 3, 2024 18:24:17 GMT
Not a new addition, this is more a post of appreciation of a previous purchase.
The Police Greatest Hits - an expanded double vinyl edition of the original release, remastered & Half-Speed Mastered at Abbey Road Studios.
There's not a single bad song on this epic double album, and it sounds absolutely incredible!
Stewart Copeland is, along with John Bradbury (RIP) from The Specials, one of my favourite drummers of all time - a sublime talent.
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Post by gazz on Jul 13, 2024 14:37:40 GMT
My latest addition, one that I'm particularly pleased with. The cover looks shabby on this photo, but that's because it's still covered with what remains of the sealed, protective wrap that came with the initial copies back in the day, as it came with a free single and poster. This copy is in fantastic condition underneath, and is complete with the original free single and poster, and it really is in fantastic condition, especially for its age. Indeed, finding complete copies in this condition is not easy, and they don't come cheap. You often see copies that have the free single in the 2-Tone 'Walt' sleeve, but they weren't shipped with that sleeve, they came in plain, white sleeves, at least the initial copies did. I know this because a school friend back in 1980 had this album and his copy had the single with the plain, white sleeve. The vinyl itself and the labels really are in superb condition, and sound great when played. Having checked the Matrix/Runout etchings with Discogs, this copy is indeed an original pressing The free 7" single. Again, the vinyl condition is superb, with clean paper labels - catalogue number 'TT999 - A1 & A2' And finally, the free poster, which is almost as good as new I was disappointed when I bought the 40th Anniversary 180g half-speed master of this album, as it only came with a reissued half-speed mastered copy of the single which comes with slightly different catalogue and matrix numbers (TT H-999 - A1 & A2 - 'the 'H' no doubt denotes 'Half-speed Master'), but there was no poster. However, I'm now glad that they didn't, as that could give some of the more unscrupulous sellers an opportunity for some fakery with the original copies. It's a great addition to my 2-Tone collection!
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Post by gazz on Jul 13, 2024 15:00:17 GMT
I've also had an idea for a custom Slipmat for my turntable, but only for use as a decorative cover when it's not in use. I've taken a high-resolution photo of my original Rough Trade-distributed copy of Gangsters, and the mat will be that image, in high-glaze. Here is the photo: I could have used a cleaner image, one that's been rendered or one from my reissue copy of the single, but I think the whole 2-Tone thing had that independent 'rough around the edges', low-budget, second-hand feel to it. Indeed, The Specials used to buy and go on tour in second-hand clothes and suits, so I think that image reflects this, perfectly. I'll post a photo when it gets here!
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Post by gazz on Jul 22, 2024 12:27:53 GMT
I couldn't get one done in rubber, so I had to make do with felt, but I think it still has that look I was hoping for...
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Post by hatter_in_macc on Jul 22, 2024 16:52:32 GMT
That is indeed a thing of beauty, Gazz-ster!
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Post by gazz on Jul 22, 2024 17:27:06 GMT
Cheers, Maccy!
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Post by ceefer on Jul 23, 2024 19:31:50 GMT
It looks great Gazzman.
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Post by gazz on Jul 24, 2024 8:54:55 GMT
Cheers, Ceef.
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Post by gazz on Jul 24, 2024 8:57:43 GMT
That is indeed a thing of beauty, Gazz-ster! I've only just noticed what you did there, Maccy, these nights really are getting too much for me - especially when I'm waking up this early! I'm only on night 4 of 5 and I'm absolutely destroyed already!
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Post by Epworth Hatter on Jul 24, 2024 18:01:24 GMT
One for music geeks... Have you come across Music Maps - The Rock n Roll Music Book Club podcast. Some great conversations with musical authors. First up is Two Tone with Daniel Rachel: Join us as and Penderyn Prize winning author Daniel Rachel to take a deep dive into the formation of the Two Tone record label in Coventry - starting with the beginnings of the label, moving onto the early years of Jerry Dammers, The Specials & Madness meeting at the Hope & Anchor in Islington, the Two Tone Top of the Pops Episode, the Two Much Too Young EP hitting number 1, the famous Two Tone Tour of 1979 & more. There's a good conversation with Tim Booth talking about the start of the band through to Yummy and his new fictional book, When I Died for the First Time. It's a really excellent podcast series. rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/
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