MusicStack has partnered with a vinyl to CD conversion service who will convert the LP to recordable CD for you. It will sound great with no annoying clicks, pops or background noise. All recordable CDs come in a standard jewel case with artwork printed on glossy paper.
How does this service work?
The seller will ship the LP to the digital conversion center in Arizona, USA where it will be format shifted onto a recordable CD directly from the LP only for your ears. The LP and the recordable CD will then be mailed to you. The digital conversion center will not retain any copies of the item.
What does it cost?
Price of the LP + $35 USD for the conversion to recordable CD + cost of shipping of the LP to Arizona + cost of shipping of the LP from Arizona to your location paid in advance.
Given most of us simply don't associate French bands with the heavy metal genre, at least unintentionally this may be one of the funniest albums in my record collection. The fact of the matter is I bought this album thinking bassist Noel Alberola, singer Robert Belmonte, lead guitarist Georges Bodossian and drummer Alain Gouillard were going to provide me with 40 minutes of wanky progressive/jazz-rock fusion (not sure what I was thinking since the cover photo had all four of them scowling in leather jackets and black tee shirts). Instead I was rewarded with an album that sounded like Def Leppard gone Francophile. Now before anyone goes off on me, let me mention that I'm a big Def Leppard fan so the comparison was meant as a compliment rather than a slam. (The real irony is that these guys actually did start off with progressive leanings. In fact band founder Bodossian picked the name as a tribute to Yes (e.g. "Tales from the Topographic Oceans")). So I'll readily admit that French heavy metal isn't an area I know a great deal about. I can tell you Ocean's been around since the mid-1970s recording at least four studio albums up through the early1980s when they seem to have called it quits. As far as I can tell, 1981's "Ocean" was their final studio release, though there have been various reunions and reformations, along with a lengthy list of posthumous live and 'greatest hits' compilations out there. In spite of the fact all of the songs are performed in French (interestingly their 1976 debut "God's Clown" featured English lyrics), this album had a very Anglo feel. Part of the reason may stem from the fact it was recorded in London with English producers Mike Shiply and Nigel Green. Regardless, listening to band originals like 'A Force de Gueler!', 'Qu'on Me Laisse Le Temps' and 'Berceuse' you got the distinct impression that Belmonte and company spent a sizeable amount of their spare time worshipping at the altars of seminal New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWBHM) acts like AC/DC (who they opened for during a 1981 European tour) and Def Leppard, with a bit of Chinn-Chapman power-pop moves thrown in to up the commercial ante (think along the lines of Sweet). (For what it's worth, a disproportional number of reviews of their debut album bring up comparisons to Led Zeppelin, but my ears don't get it.) Powered by Belmonte's shrieking voice (which reminds me of Def Leppard's Joe Elliot), these guys managed to generate quite a bit of energy; usually even managing to overcome the language gap (yeah, it would have been interesting to know whether French rockers cover the same lyrical territory staked out by their English and American contemporaries - cars, lifestyle excesses, girls, the hardships of a rock star lifestyle, girls and girls ...). There wasn't anything particularly original to be found across these eight tracks and the French lyrics certainly won't be for everyone, but to my ears it was actually interesting and enjoyable. - Opening up with some funky Alberola bass moves (yes, I'll save it again - funky), 'Aristo' quickly morphed into a more conventional slice of NWBHM. This was one of the songs where Belmonte's voice reminded me of Def Leppard's Joe Elliot. Yeah, his sometimes shrill moves won't appeal to everyone, but I got a kick out him. rating: *** stars - Judging by tracks like 'A Force de Gueler!' guitarist Georges Bodossian was the band's secret weapon. Built around an insidiously catchy lead guitar (and one of the album's stand out guitar solos), Belmonte was allowed to vamp his way through four minutes of top notch early-'80s rock. This one would have sounded great on FM radio. rating: **** stars - 'Attention Controle' slowed things down a touch with Belmonte showing off an unexpected bit of moderation (well at least momentarily). When the band hit the title track refrain all subtlety was lost. Another standout performance. rating: **** stars -
Payment Accepted: PayPal, Cash (USD - at your risk), Personal Check (USD made out to Scott Blackerby), Certified Check (USD made out to Scott Blackerby), Postal (USD made out to Scott Blackerby), PayPal (make payment to )
I've used the Goldmine Grading Guide in grading the collection. Most of the catalog is graded VG or slightly higher. To me that reflects an LP that's been played, but with care and attention. Neither the cover nor the vinyl are pristine, but the cover will be intact without substantial flaw and the vinyl will play without substantial hiss and without skips. Exceptions are noted for each offering. Since I buy music 'cause it's stuff I want to hear, virtually everything I sell is play graded - in other words, I've actually listened to the item. Finally, albums are graded cover first, vinyl second, i.e. VG/NM means a very good cover and near mint vinyl.
Goldmine Grading Standard:
Mint [M]: Absolutely perfect in every way - certainly never played, possibly even still sealed. (More on still sealed below). Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.
------------------------------------------------------------ Near Mint [NM or M-]: A nearly perfect record. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly) that no record is ever truly perfect. The record shows no obvious sign of wear. A 45 rpm sleeve has no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling.
An LP jacket has no creases, folds, seam splits or any other noticeable similar defect. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same is true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, and the like. Basically, Near Mint looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap.
------------------------------------------------------------ Very Good Plus [VG+]: Shows some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show some slight signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK.
The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but is should be barely noticeable. The center hole is not misshapen by repeated play. Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turn-up corners, or a slight seam-split. An LP jacket my have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount.
In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable.
------------------------------------------------------------ Very Good [VG]: Many of the defects found in a VG+ record are more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise is evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during the song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as will light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound.
Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.
------------------------------------------------------------ Good [G], Good Plus [G+]: Good does not mean bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear.
A jacket or sleeve has seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object. If it's a common item, you'll probably find another copy in better shape eventually. Pass it up. But if it's something you have been seeking for years, and the price is right, get it.
------------------------------------------------------------- Poor [P], Fair [F]: The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and/or writing. The LP jacket barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, and written upon.
Except for impossibly rare records otherwise unattainable, records in this condition should be bought or sold for no more than a few cents each.
Payment Methods Accepted
PayPal, Cash (US Dollars - at your risk), Personal Check (US Dollars made out to Scott Blackerby), Certified Check (US Dollars made out to Scott Blackerby), Postal (US Dollars made out to Scott Blackerby), PayPal (make payment to )
Shipping Costs
I ship domestic orders via USPS media mail. Typical delivery is in 3 - 5 days.
I can usually pack 2 - 3 LPs into a mailer
Rates may change as USPS seems to modify their rate structure on a regular basis.
Currently I am limiting sales to the US.U
I ship via USPS media mail which has proven dependable and the most economical delivery for buyers
I can normally pack 1 to 3 LPs in an LP mailer $6.00. $1.00 for each additional LP.
Return Policy
Obviously, grading is subjective and there are bound to be cases where someone disagrees with the way we've graded an album. In cases where you feel I'm way off the mark, let me know and I'll work to reach a mutually agreeable solution. I've sold several hundred albums over the last couple of years, including many on eBay. During that timeframe I've run into two disagreements. I sold a Tommy Boyce solo album which noted the cover had a tiny tear where someone had taken a price sticker off. The buyer was upset since she had known Boyce and wanted to frame the LP for display purposes. Even though the description clearly noted the tiny tear (and it was visible in the picture we posted), I offered her a refund, or a price adjustment to what she thought was fair. I never got a response. I sold a Richard Wright LP. The buyer told me it was a misprint sporting the same track listing on both sides. I provided a full refund and let the buyer keep the LP (he was in South America and it wasn't worth the hassle to get the LP back). Curiously, as a Pink Floyd fan I'd listened to the LP a couple of times and had no recollection of the mispressing. Oh well ...
Seller Information
Reserving items: If you contact me in advance, I'll reserve items for up to 3 weeks. If I reserve something, make sure you honor your commitment to purchase the item, otherwise I'm unlikely to continue doing business with you. Packaging information: I pack items in new record mailers with filler pads for additional protection. So far I haven't had any problems ... Unless you're buying some exceedingly expensive items, or your order totals more than $100.00 I'd suggest not bothering with insurance. If you want insurance, let me know ...
Shipping to United States
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No Insurance, No Tracking, No Signature, - days Estimated Delivery
