First, we’ll look at Johnnie Hodges’ Blues a Plenty. Click any image to zoom in, using the browser to return here.
This copy is in pretty nice shape overall, but does has some slight issues. First, on the cover (back more than front) there is some age/foxing starting. The copy on the back is still easy to read, but this age is noted. It looks worse in the picture than it does in my hands, which is OK with me – I would rather you see it than not.
The wax is really clean – I found a couple very very small scuffs, but they are not meaningful, to me – small tics at best. But this record does have some factory imperfections in some light pebbling – meaning, there are small bits of stuff under the grooves. They do not overpower the music, but it does create some random pops and clicks that you will not be able to clean out – I cleaned the record, and it was still there. It didn’t disturb my playback, but it is noted – there is random, occasional pops and clicks in the playback of this one. It is still a very enjoyable spin – but the pops and clicks are noted.
Next, we are going to look at a really nice copy of Freddie Hubbard’s Straight Life.
This one, is a really nice copy all around. The cover is clean on every panel, and it is a gatefold…the inside is also clean and in very nice condition. Do note that it was either a promo or a cutout, as there is a hole punched in the upper right corner.
I spun this one all the way through and it was a wonderful playback – I can’t say it was perfect, but I did not have any noise on it to report back to you, neither from storage nor a needle. It sounds great, and I did not see much on the labels to indicate it had been played very often, if at all. It was a terrific playback, free from noise.
