Here we are looking at Duke Pearson’s Wahoo! on Blue Note.
The specific issue with this one, is to look at the damage in the upper left corner, on the top edge. In my write-up I referred to this as “chewing” but it is truly some form of dry rot/disintegration of the edge seal. It does look like it does when a cat gets at a record’s edge, but I don’t think that is what happened here. I have another copy of this record for sale (it is slightly worn, in comparison to this one and the cover is in lesser shape) and that copy has lost the top edge completely, so I think it is simply a defect common in the pressing…I have seen that before.
That all said, it is still in good shape. The cover has some of the original shrinkwrap still clinging on it (you should probably remove it) and has held up well. The original inner is in great shape – I didn’t see any splits, just some minor yellowing to it.
The labels show no indication of being played (no marks by the spindle holes), and the wax is in stellar shape…no scuffs or needle marks to report at all.
I will send this in a new 3ml outer, and include a new inner too so you can preserve the cover and inner as they are and still play the record as much as you like.
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