The Police and Supergrass on vinyl

 Here we go starting off the month when I didn't move much making for the lowest key start to the new year for decades.

Anyway another phase of the vinyl project is almost complete where if you recall I mentioned this incomplete state of it after two decades of cd buying and yes rebuying cds.

Phase two was about a group whose albums I've always loved and whose music - power reggae - appealed to a very wide audience in much the same way as Abba did.

That's right we're talking about The Police, three white guys one of which as an an American who sold this sound across the world and can be seen in hindsight as one of the starting points behind the popularity of 'World' music.

As with the Stones my collection had been deplete to just two albums on vinyl.

Outlandos d' amour 1978 UK A&M

One of the survivors my copy had a fair bit of wear, a deep scratch on the second and the cover had been damaged by the cat!

Recorded in a village hall near Leatherhead, Surrey and home to the singles Roxanne, Can't Stand Losing You and So Lonely, this on never was a good sounding recording so I got a regular copy in better physical shape to replace my old one with.

Regatta de blanc 1979 UK A&M

This album issued October '79 was extremely popular housing the singles Walking On The Moon and Message In a Bottle but I've been missing a vinyl copy for twenty years.

I got hold of a copy last week in decent shape although there's a slight tear on the rear cover but may try the current 'Back to black' re-issue lp.

Zenyatta Mondatta 1980 UK A&M

The last album with the funny naming thing, this one issued October 1980 was responsible for the thought provoking single Don't Stand So Close To Me that touched on illicit affairs between teachers and school children and De, Doo, Doo, Doo, De,Da, Da, Da.The instrumental "Behind My Camel," written by Andy Summers, won the band a Grammy for the best instrumental performance and as some one who just loves the track I can see why.

My copy was mint but one of my cats knocked down a unit I used to store the discs in back then it crushed the top right hand side of lp jacket badly so although the actual record is almost as new the jacket is a mess. I'll get a cheap copy for the jacket and swap them over!

Ghost In The Machine UK A&M 1981 (sterling)

Issued in 1981, it was the most political album by the police to date referencing "The Troubles" - a move that led to a television ban on the video to Invisible Sun in the UK, fascism (Rehumanize Yourself) and Geopolitics (One world (not Three). It also featured the singles Everything She Does Is Magic and Spirits In The Material World. This one went from my collection in 1992 but as able to get a EX grade copy recently with the original Sterling mastering that sounds extremely good.

Synchronicity UK A&M (sterling)

The last studio album featuring the hits King Of Pain, Synchronicity II, Every Breathe You Take and Wrapped Around Your Finger released in June 1983.

Today I received my mint used first pressing of this album made here in the UK using the mastering engineers own cutting

 It's been a revelation with the quieter tracks such as Walking In Your Footsteps expanding beautifully after the brash opener with great soundstages and to my ears subjectively better than my mid 90's cd issue (I really dislike the 2003 cds) enhancing my experience of hearing this album having gone through 8 track, 'audiophile' Chrome cassette and cd versions.

I honestly feel until today I've never really heard everything it had to offer, it's that good.

It's the one I'd recommend.

Supergrass:

Here at the Blog Team (tm), we like Supergrass and I'm putting together a little list for the vinyl project.

It may surprise some but actually every single Supergrass album and single has actually had a vinyl release but most have been ahem... limited and are not on catalogue as new although you may come by the odd one in a store left from a few years back.

Throw in the 'in demand' cult status of this recently disbanded group and expect to to do some serious hunting to build your collection as they are scarce as well as getting expensive.

I Should Co-Co 1995 UK

The home of Strange Ones and Alright, mine has a bonus 45 thrown in which I brought new and goes for a minimum of £30 these days when you see it.

In It For The Money 1997

A ground breaking album with such gems as Late in the Day and Sun Hits The sky but while the cd is very loud sounding, the vinyl I believe was mastered separately and not so loud.

I was very fortunate after several failed bids to spot a copy just come in at Vinyltap while at work - this that was very naughty of me to be scanning the bay when i was meant to be working but I spotted this copy in said to be Ex cond for the textured sleeve and the actual vinyl on sale at a fixed price not to far removed from the last auction prices so i snagged it and paid on the spot. luckily my boss didn't spot me logging into Paypal!

It arrived today and was more like Near mint!!!

Supergrass 1999 album with Pumping On Your Stereo. I have the cd and minidisc versions but was able to get the vinyl with the limited edition poster from dealer in Japan and it was mailed 1 hours after the devastating earthquake.

It sounds much more dynamic compared to the cd version.

Life On Other Planets 2002

Includes Grace was able to get used in Excellent condition without breaking the bank

Road to Rouen 2005

Musically adventurous album from the jazz inspired Coffee In The Pot through hard rock it's a highly enjoyable album. I have a copy but it's condition bought used wasn't anything like the vendor said it was.

Diamond Hoo Haa 2008

Have brand new copy as it was still in stock at a number of specialist retailers.