Skyjack : Light Cycle (LP, Vinyl record album) -- Dusty Groove is Chicago's Online Record Store
Skip navigation
Scripting is disabled or not working. dustygroove.com requires JavaScript to function correctly.
Style sheets are disabled or not working. dustygroove.com requires style sheets to function correctly.
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Enlarge       Note

Light Cycle

LP (Item 168025) As Shams (South Africa), 2024 — Condition: New Copy
2LP Gatefold
List Price: 38.99
A contemporary album on the legendary South African jazz label As Shams, and one that really continues the strong legacy of sounds it began in the 70s! The tracks have this long, building approach – strong rhythms at the core headed by pianist Kyle Shepherd, which are topped with work on saxes from Marc Stucki and trombone from Andreas Tschopp – both European players, who bring in some nicely modern inflections to the music, and maybe a slight touch of improvisation! Other group members include Shane Cooper on bass and Jonno Sweetman on drums – and titles include "Future Past", "The Storm That Guides You", "Porcupine", "Like A Leafe On A Tree", "All The Flame", "Radha III", "Kudu Chant", and "Method Of Moments".  © 1996-2024, Dusty Groove, Inc.

There may be different interpretations or standards used to grade pre-owned vinyl record albums & CDs. These are the grades that we use and what they mean for items that are not new copies.

Used Vinyl Grades

Below are stated conditions for a used vinyl records at Dusty Groove. Grading for the cover should be assumed to be near (within a "+" or "-") the grading for the vinyl. If there is significant divergence from the condition of the vinyl, or specific flaws, these will be noted in the comments section of the item. However, please be aware that since the emphasis of this site is towards the music listener, our main concern is with the vinyl of any used item we sell. Additionally, all of our records are graded visually; considering the volume of used vinyl we handle, it is impossible for us to listen to each record. If we spot any significant flaws, we make every attempt to listen through them and note how they play.

The following grading conditions apply to the vinyl component of an album or single:

Sealed

This is what it says, that the record is still held fast in shrink-wrap. We tend to be pretty suspicious about these things, so if the shrink-wrap doesn't look original, or if the record seems to have undergone some damage over time, we'll probably take it out of the wrapper to ensure that it's in good shape — which is why we don't have more of these. In some cases the shrink-wrap may be torn in spots, but if it's not possible the record has been taken out and played, the record will still qualify as "Sealed".

Near Mint

Dusty Groove does not use the grades of Near Mint (or Mint, for that matter) because in our experience, we find that no records ever qualify for such a high grade. Even sealed records tend to have one or two slight faults, enough to usually qualify them for a grade of NM- or lower. We've often found that records which are clearly unplayed will have a slight amount of surface noise, especially in quieter recordings.

Near Mint - (minus)

  • 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.

Very Good + (plus)

  • Vinyl should be very clean, but can have less luster than near mint.
  • Should still shine under a light, but one or two marks may show up when tilted.
  • Can have a few small marks that may show up easily, but which do not affect play at all. Most marks of this quality will disappear when the record is tilted, and will not be felt with the back of a fingernail.
  • This is the kind of record that will play "near mint", but which will have some signs of use (although not major ones).
  • May have slight surface noise when played.

Very Good

  • Vinyl can have some dirt, but nothing major.
  • May not shine under light, but should still be pretty clean, and not too dirty.
  • May have a number of marks (5 to 10 at most), and obvious signs of play, but never a big cluster of them, or any major mark that would be very deep. Most marks should still not click under a fingernail.
  • May not look near perfect, but should play fairly well, with slight surface noise, and the occasional click in part of a song, but never throughout a whole song or more.
  • This is clearly a copy that was played by someone a number of times, but which could also be a good "play copy" for someone new.

Very Good - (minus)

  • Vinyl may be dirty, and can lack a fair amount of luster.
  • Vinyl can have a number of marks, either in clusters or smaller amounts, but deeper.
  • This is the kind of record that you'd buy to play, but not because it looked that great. Still, the flaws should be mostly cosmetic, with nothing too deep that would ruin the overall record.
  • Examples include a record that has been kept for a while in a cover without the paper sleeve, or heavily played by a previous owner and has some marks across the surface. The record should play okay, though probably with surface noise.

Good + (plus)

  • Vinyl may be dirty, or have one outstanding flaw, such as a light residue, which could be difficult to clean.
  • May have marks on all parts, too many to qualify as Very Good-, or several deeper marks, but the record should still be ok for play without skips.
  • In general, this is a record that was played a fair amount, and handled without care. A typical example may be a record which has been heavily played by a DJ, and carries marks from slip cueing. Depending on the quality of the vinyl, may play with surface noise throughout.

Good

  • A record that you'd buy to play, cheap, but which you wouldn't buy for collecting.
  • Will have marks across all parts of the playing surface, and will most likely play with surface noise throughout. May have some other significant flaws, such as residue, or a track that skips.
  • In most cases, a poor quality copy of a very difficult to find record.

Fair

This is a grade we rarely use, as we try not to sell records in very bad condition, though in some rare cases we will list a record in such bad shape that it does not conform to the standards above. A "Fair" record will have enough marks or significant flaws that it does not even qualify as "Good", but is a copy you might consider for playing, if you're willing to put up with noise and/or flaws. An example might be a recording with surface noise so heavy that it is equal to the volume of the music. For records listed as "Fair", we will describe the extent of the condition in the comments.

Poor

Like "Fair", we rarely list records in this condition, as they represent the extreme low end of spectrum. These records typically have multiple serious problems, and we offer them as "relics" or "objects" only — for those who want to at least have a copy of a record, even if it is not really worthy of play, perhaps for the cover alone. For these records, we will describe the extent of the condition in the comments.

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.


Used CD Grade

We only use the grade "Used CD" for non-new CDs. This all-encompassing grade was chosen it because we only buy and offer used CDs in the best possible condition.

When you purchase a used CD you can expect the disc to be free of all but the lightest of surface marks, the case to be clean (we often change the cases ourselves), and the booklet to be in good shape. Used CDs may show some signs of use, but if there are significant details or defects we will describe the item's condition (just like we do with LPs), so look for notes on cutout marks, stickers, promo stamps or other details before ordering.

All of our used CDs are guaranteed to play without skipping or flaws. After you receive a used CD from Dusty Groove, you have 1 week to play it to determine that it plays correctly. If it does not, you can request a return for a full refund.


You might be interested


Spirits Rejoice

Spirits Rejoice
Jo'Burg/Frederiksberg (Netherlands), 1978. New Copy (reissue)
A great South African jazz session from the 70s – and one that's got all the soulful currents you might expect from the group's name! There's definitely a spiritual jazz approach here at times – but the group also picks up the groove at other points too, and almost seems to resonate ... LP, Vinyl record album

Timo Lassy & Jukka Eskola

Nordic Stew
Dox (Finland), 2024. New Copy
We've loved the work of Timo Lassy and Jukka Eskola for many years – right back to when we first heard them in the Five Corners Quintet – and here, the players are reunited in a set that was recorded in New Orleans, and digs deep into that city's musical roots! Make no mistake, this ... LP, Vinyl record album

Tete Mbambisa

African Day
As Shams (South Africa), Mid 1970s. New Copy 2LP Gatefold (reissue)
Never-issued material from the legendary South African pianist Tete Mbambisa – all recorded in the mid 70s, right around the time of Tete's classic albums! The double-length set is a treasure trove of soulful SA jazz expression – and tunes move between slightly funky numbers to others ... LP, Vinyl record album

Hal Singer

Soweto To Harlem
As Shams/Afrodelic (Italy), 1976. New Copy (reissue)
One of a handful of very righteous albums that American reedman Hal Singer made overseas – very different material than the more R&B-based tenor material that started out his career! Here, Hal's got this easygoing approach to soul jazz – stretching out on these really long tracks ... LP, Vinyl record album

Ruth Goller

Skylla
International Anthem, 2024. New Copy
A really beautiful record from bassist Ruth Goller – and a set that's nicely different than her last outing for International Anthem! This set's as much a vocal outing as a showcase for Ruth's work on both electric and acoustic bass – instruments that are used here in very unusual ... LP, Vinyl record album
Soul Jazz (UK), 1974. New Copy (reissue)
One of the most unique albums of the 70s spiritual jazz generation – a set that's got ties to other material of the period, but which also really sets itself apart as well! David Lee Jr is a drummer with roots in New Orleans, which he references on the set – but the music itself has ... LP, Vinyl record album
International Anthem, 2024. New Copy
Wonderfully jamming work from a very hip trio – one that features Anna Butterss on bass, Gregory Uhlman on guitar, Booker Stardum on drums, Josh Johnson on tenor and electronics, and Jeremiah Chiu on keyboards and samples – all artists you might know from other great projects, working ... LP, Vinyl record album
Saturn/Cosmic Myth, 1966. New Copy 2LP Gatefold (reissue)
One of the rarest Sun Ra albums ever – and one of the most enigmatic, too! Strange Strings is a very unique session recorded with an otherworldly sound – heavily steeped in the use of "electronic strings", amplified string instruments recorded with crazy echo and other ... LP, Vinyl record album

Anna Butterss

Mighty Vertebrate
International Anthem, 2024. New Copy
Really fantastic work from bassist Anna Butterss, and a set that's maybe more live and less assembled than her previous effort – with key contributions from some really great musicians who make the whole thing sound like a mighty strong group effort on most tracks! Butterrss handles electric ... LP, Vinyl record album

Primitive Art Group

Primitive Art Group 1981 to 1986
Amish, Mid 1980s. New Copy 2LP Gatefold
Avant improvisations from this hip New Zealand group – a combo who are more modern than their name might imply – working here in a mix of free jazz and some other styles that also link them to some of the art rock underground in the UK! There's lots of fantastic reed interplay on the ... LP, Vinyl record album

Paquito D'Rivera with James Moody

Who's Smoking?
Candid, 1991. New Copy 2LP
One of the sharpest Paquito D'Rivera albums of the 90s – thanks to the presence of the great James Moody, who really knocks it out of the park! Moody had been recording some decent albums around the time, but he's really set up here in a back to basics mode that reminds us what a fantastic ... LP, Vinyl record album

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers

Second Set – Lausanne 1960
Honey Pie, 1960. New Copy
Great live material from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – recorded during a legendary year for the group, with a really legendary lineup – the quintet formation that included Lee Morgan on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor, and Bobby Timmons on piano! Along with Blakey on drums and ... LP, Vinyl record album
 



⇑ Top