Sun Atlas : Return To The Spirit (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

Return To The Spirit

LP (Item 177228) Mocambo (Germany), 2024 — Condition: New Copy
List Price: 29.99
A mysterious record, but a great one too – a set that's got no information listed on the back cover regarding the group, but which contains sounds that are a great blend of jazz, funk, and Ethio modes – all served up with a wonderfully spiritual vibe! The drums are funky on most numbers, and the saxophone lines are nice and strong – usually the core expression of the energy of the tunes, standing in where lyrics might normally play – with rising parts from a small horn section before the instruments break off and sing passages on their own! The whole thing has strong affinity with older Ethio jazz work, but with a more contemporary approach too – and titles include "Return To The Spirit", "12th Dimension Caravan", "Cure The Sick", "Phases Of The Moon", "Message From The Snakes", and "Intergalactic Medium"  © 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


Mikolaj Trzaska/Ingebrigt Haker Flaten/Paal Nilssen-Love

Last Temple Vol 1 (9 inch LP)
Gusstaff/Don't Sit On My Vinyl (UK), 2024. New Copy
You might not know the name of saxophonist Mikolaj Trzaska, but he's working here alongside two top-tier improvising musicians – the mighty Ingebrigt Haker Flaten on bass and Paal Nilssen-Love on drums – both musicians who are secure in enough in approach to let Trzaka really set the ... LP, Vinyl record album
Perfect Toy (Germany), 1970s. New Copy 2LP Gatefold
Mindblowing music from the great Frederic Rabold – a German jazz artist of the classic 70s MPS generation – and one who does a really great job of mixing funkier moments, spiritual currents, and some freer flights of inspiration! Rabold's maybe best known for work with his funky combo ... LP, Vinyl record album
Running Circle (UK), 2024. New Copy
Kinkajous are a jazz combo, but one who also bring in a lot of other elements too – mixing core instrumental performances with some larger sonic elements – all in a way that resonates strongly with some of the post-jazz experiments on the recent London scene! At the core are plenty of ... LP, Vinyl record album
Dal Segno/Mo Jazz (UK), Late 1960s. New Copy (reissue)
A wickedly cool small combo set from the 60s – featuring reedman John Lemon, who blows both tenor and flute, plus a bit of alto as well – in a combo with Jimmy Scott on organ, Ernest McLean on guitar, and Bobby Brooks on drums! The set's got a great soul jazz vibe – like a ... LP, Vinyl record album

Ambiance II Fusion Ensemble

Come Touch Tomorrow
Da Mon/Freestyle (UK), 1985. New Copy (reissue)
A sweetly grooving bit of spiritual jazz from the 80s – done at a time when groups like this were letting a bit of R&B into their music, yet still coming across with a nicely righteous vibe that's far from mainstream modes of period! The group's led by Daoud Abubakar Balewam, pictured on ... LP, Vinyl record album

Nautilus

Pacific Voyage
Oonops Drops (Germany), 2024. New Copy
Sweet funky jazz from this great Japanese combo – served up here on a set that has the group taking on some AOR classics from the 70s, but turning them out in their own lean, groovy style! The lineup is mostly a trio – keyboards, bass, and drums – but the vibe is different than a ... LP, Vinyl record album

Tomasz Stanko

Wooden Music II
Astigmatic (Poland), 1972. New Copy
Beautiful improvised work from legendary Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stanko – work that's much more powerful and bracing than the atmospheric recordings he would do for ECM in later years! The work here comes right at a key moment for free jazz on the European scene – and Stanko works with ... LP, Vinyl record album
Astigmatic (Poland), 2024. New Copy
A record that pays tribute to a classic set from the Polish jazz scene – the Purple Sun album by trumpeter Tomasz Stanko – which provides great inspiration for contemporary Polish group EABS, as they deliver what might well be their grooviest album to date! There's a pulsating sense of ... LP, Vinyl record album

Weldon Irvine

In Harmony
Strata East/P-Vine (Japan), 1974. New Copy (reissue)
Weldon Irvine meets Strata East – and the result is one of the keyboardist's funkiest albums ever! The set's more jazz-based than the soul/funk outings Weldon cut for RCA and his own label – with great focus on Weldon's lines on clavinet and Fender Rhodes – supported by sweet ... LP, Vinyl record album

Bloto

Grzybnia
Astigmatic (Poland), 2024. New Copy Gatefold
Beautifully creative work from this hip Polish combo – a group who work in post-jazz territory that's similar to some of the more revolutionary work on the London scene in recent years – but one who've also got a special vibe that's very much their own! The approach here is maybe more ... LP, Vinyl record album

Adam Rudolph & Tyshawn Sorey

Archaisms I (180 gram pressing)
Defkaz, 2024. New Copy
Two percussionists, and some really amazing sounds – a set of open-ended duets between Tyshawn Sorey on drums and percussion, and Adam Rudolph on congas, djembe, tarija, kalimba, blocks, shakers, and more percussion – plus a bit of flute as well! Each side of the record features one ... LP, Vinyl record album
BYG/Culture Factory, 1966. New Copy 2LP Gatefold (reissue)
A beautiful performance from modern piano genius Cecil Taylor – one that was not circulated at the time of its mid-60s recording, but which stands as a crucial document of the shifting sound of Taylor's work at the time! The extended performance might come as some surprise to those who only ... LP, Vinyl record album
 



⇑ Top