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.
sealed Urban legend has it that 1981's "Oil In the Family" was inspired by a bet between guitarist Jan Akkerman and his record label. The bet centered on whether Akkerman could record a full album in 24 hours. It wasn't actually a bet rather former DJ/promoter Willem van Kooten heard one of Akkerman dance demos and asked him to provide a full album for release by the Dutch CNR label. Van Kootenin asked Akkerman to finish the album in two days. For better or worse Akkerman pulled it off. Produced by Gerrit-Jan Leenders, the collection reflected Akkerman's then-interest in disco and bass and drums idioms. Akkerman's made a career out of exploring different musical styles - check out 1974's Renaissance influenced "Tabernakel" so perhaps that wasn't a major surprise to his fans. All I can say is judging by material like the title track, 'Formula N-One' and 'Disc-O-Asis' his sudden fascination with disco wasn't a good thing. Even taking into account the tight deadlines Akkerman was working under, these six tracks were at best bland and forgettable. I know there are lots of Eurodisco fans out there, but to me this stuff wasn't any better than the dreck Cerrone, Jean Michel Jarre, or Giorgio Moroder were churning out for their disco-crazed fan base. The lone non-disco track 'Blue in the Shadow' was even worse, offering up a slice of adult contemporary lte-jazz. I'm not sure where the quote came from, but I think Akkerman got it correct: "The album was fun to make but repelled my audience, who hated it. It's a pity, as there's some interesting guitar stuff going on." "Oil In the Family" track listing: (side 1) 1.) Oil in the Family (instrumental) (A Rabb - Jan Akkerman) - 6:22 rating: ** stars Hum, the instrumental title track sounded like Akkerman had decided to record the album in a Moroccan disco ... Complete with syndrums, synthesizer washes and lots of Arabic percussion effects, this was going to be a challenge for some Akkerman fans to swallow. CNR released it as a 7" and 12" single in various European markets: 7" format - 1981's 'Oil In the Family (Crude)' b/w 'Oil In the Family (Fuel)' (CNR catalog number 141.795) 12" format - 1981's 'Oil In the Family (Crude)' b/w 'Oil In the Family (Fuel)' (CNR catalog number 154..054) 2.) Formula N-One (instrumental) (A Rabb - Jan Akkerman) - 9:40 rating: ** stars Well the distinctive '80s feel was still here and 'Formula N-One' retained a dance flavor, though it wasn't nearly as dominant on the title track. Instead, with the treated guitar effects this one sounded like piece of soundtrack work for something like "Miami Vice". Completely forgettable and it seemed to stretch on and on and on ... (side 2) 1.) Disc-O-Asis (instrumental) (A Rabb - Jan Akkerman) - 7:05 rating: ** stars So could the song be as bad as the title would imply? Without a doubt. Musically this managed to blend the worst aspects of European disco, including mindless percussion, top-40 European pop and Arabian influences. Easy to imagine drunk patrons mindlessly bopping along to this one in a Marrakesh, or Amsterdam disco. This was another one that seemed endless. It loses an extra for that endlessness feeling2.) No Doubt About It (instrumental) (A Rabb - Jan Akkerman) - 5:45 rating: ** stars Well, if you like cheesy disco synthesizers, burping bass and an adult contemporary jazzy sax solo (courtesy of James Campagnola), do I have a track for you. Just awful which must be why it was released as a single: - 1981's 'No Doubt About It' b/w 'Blue In the Shadow' (CNR catalog 141.823) 3.) Family Reprise (instrumental) (A Rabb - Jan Akkerman) - 1:03 rating: * star Well it sounded like a continuation of every previous selection, but at least 'Family Reprise' was mercifully brief. 4.) Blue in the Shadow (A Rabb - Jan Akkerman) - 3:52 rating: * star The good news is 'Blue in the Shadow' abandoned mindless disco. T
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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 ...
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