This image is a general representation of the item and the actual product may differ slightly in terms of color shading, logo placement, borders, or other small details. Used items may have various cosmetic differences as well.
Black vinyl that may show a slight amount of dust or dirt.
Should still be very shiny under a light, even with slight amount of dust on surface.
One or two small marks that would make an otherwise near perfect record slightly less so.
These marks cannot be too deep, and should only be surface marks that won't affect play,
but might detract from the looks.
May have some flaws and discoloration in the vinyl, but only those that would be
intrinsic to the pressing. These should disappear when the record is tilted under
the light, and will only show up when looking straight at the record.
(Buddah and ABC pressings from the 70's are a good example of this.)
May have some slight marks from aging of the paper sleeve on the vinyl.
Possible minor surface noise when played.
Additional Marks & Notes
If something is noteworthy, we try to note it in the comments — especially
if it is an oddity that is the only wrong thing about the record.
This might include, but isn't limited to, warped records, tracks that skip,
cover damage or wear as noted above, or strictly cosmetic flaws.
Earth Wind & Fire's first album for Columbia Records – the start of a really legendary run during the 70s! The sound here is a bit tighter than their first two for Warner Brothers – a groove that has funk and soul taking a bit more precedence over the jazz of their roots – ... LP, Vinyl record album
Music from USA for Africa, Steve Perry, the Pointer Sisters, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Northern Lights, Prince & the Revolution, Chicago, Tina Turner, Kenny Rogers & Huey Lewis & the News. LP, Vinyl record album
A funky fusion classic from guitarist Wah Wah Watson – his only album as a leader, despite countless appearances as a sideman on 70s soul, jazz, and pop sessions! The album's got a really wonderful sort of west coast groove – one that takes bits of spacey fusion, bassy funk, and ... LP, Vinyl record album
The birth of Aretha Franklin's soulful sound – a real change from the jazzier sound of her first two albums for Columbia, and a set that really shows some great sides of her talents! Arrangements are by Belford Hendricks, who creates an uptown-styled sort of sound – one that has fuller ... LP, Vinyl record album
Pretty great stuff by Aretha – despite what the pro-Atlantic Records books say! The record is one of the first she cut with John Hammond at Columbia, and although it's not in the classic soul mode of the Atlantic sessions, it's a darn nice batch of bluesy jazz tracks that would still stand ... LP, Vinyl record album
Damn! Bill Withers can never do wrong in our book – and this album is definitely case in point! The set marks Bill's big move from Sussex Records to Columbia, and it's the start of an amazing run in the late 70s – completely sublime soul that wraps up all Withers' roots from the ... LP, Vinyl record album
Marvin Gaye's last album ever – and a sensuous batch of grooves that almost return him to the sound of Let's Get It On! The style here is a bit more modern, but the sound is still great – a smoother approach to soul than most of Gaye's contemporaries at the time, recorded in a way that ... LP, Vinyl record album
Hard to believe that a preppie look could ever be associated with a soul singer, but by the time of this 1983, the preppie craze had spread so much that it actually provided Cheryl Lynn a nice way to update her style! There's nothing preppie about the music, though – and the record's a great ... LP, Vinyl record album
Hip stuff from Aretha's early years – mostly jazzy, and sung to arrangements by Robert Mersey. Tracks are mostly standards – including "Don't Cry Baby", "Try A Little Tenderness", "Just For A Thrill", "God Bless The Child", "How Deep Is The ... LP, Vinyl record album
An overlooked groover by this 60s rock act – recorded in Memphis by Chips Moman, with a hard sock-soul approach that's almost a blue eyed soul take on the sound of Stax! There were probably more than a few famous Memphis session players on the set, and you can certainly imagine who might ... LP, Vinyl record album
A clubby classic from the enigmatic Gary's Gang – a group who scored a big disco hit with the title track of this album, a unique groove that features some weird keyboard and synth touches – alongside some surprisingly great percussion at the bottom! The group effortlessly mix electric ... LP, Vinyl record album
A beautiful jazzy classic, and perhaps Gil Scott-Heron's most perfectly realized album ever! The record has a completely sophisticated jazzy approach – one that's miles ahead from even Gil's previous work on Flying Dutchman, and which shows him to be one of the most distinctive and emotive ... LP, Vinyl record album