A unique start to the year, January has a very varied top ten, with lesser-known names and albums making the list!
Usually, our top tens are frequented by at least one of the old favourites - The Beatles, Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd. This month, your purchases are shining a spotlight on some records we've never seen before in the top ten.
You can read our other top tens and a guide to protecting your records by exploring the rest of our blog.
Read on to discover our rarest albums this month.
10 - Roger Taylor - Electric Fire
Released in 1998, Electric Fire was the fourth solo album for Queen's drummer, Roger Taylor. It was released on coloured vinyl, which is commonplace now, but was a lot more niche in the late 90s, especially with the rise in CDs meaning records were slipping out of favour. This, combined with the timeless fame of Queen, is likely what makes this album so sought after now.
9 - Masque - The Dead Of Night
A rare sight for a top ten - usually populated by LPs - we have a 12" single that has made the list. Masque released this EP in 1988, and it was released on vinyl only, meaning it wasn't purchasable in any other format. It wasn't pressed on vinyl again until 2019, when it was reissued on both black and red vinyl, but this was the only release at the time, making it highly sought after, both at time of release, and now.
8 - The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced
At number 8, we have the original stereo issue of 'Are You Experienced', having previously only been released as a mono pressing. Stereo pressings arguably create a wider, more immersive sound than a mono pressing, as they are mixed using two audio channels, built with speaker systems in mind. This enhanced audio quality means that when originally released, this album could be listened to in a way which had never been heard before.
7 - New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle - White Label
For the second time this month, we have a 12" single making the top ten. This white label pressing of New Order's 'Bizarre Love Triangle' would have been pressed before the release of the first pressings for sale, either as a test to see how the audio transferred onto vinyl, or to give to shops or DJs, to play to see how the record would be received by the public. Because white labels are often the earliest press of a record, they can be very valuable.
6 - Slash's Snakepit - It's Five O' Clock Somewhere
This is the only official vinyl pressing of Slash's Snakepit's debut album. Two unoffical pressings have since been pressed, but for people who want the original album on vinyl, this is the only copy available, as this album was predominantly released on CD and cassette. Again, this album was likely a casualty of the shift to CDs in the 1990s, so now, there are limited vinyl pressings available.
5 - Cirkus - One
'One' was Cirkus's debut album. As they were a relatively unknown name, and it was not known how the album would be received, only 1000 copies of 'One' were pressed, making those first pressings highly collectable items.
4 - My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
First pressings are nearly always the most sought after pressing of an album, especially when they are in good condition. Loveless is no exception, hence why it has made the number 4 spot. This record was mastered at Townhouse, who were an engineering and mastering studio based in London. They were renowned for high quality pressings, and can be identified in the matrix details of artists such as Queen and Kate Bush.
3 - Nas - Illmatic
Debut records, like Illmatic, are often initially pressed in smaller numbers, and then the album is repressed if and when the album is well received. This album debuted at number 12 on the US Billboad chart, and despite lower album sales than expected, it received high praise from music critics, cementing Nas' position in the industry. Now, this album is widely regarded as the best hip-hop album ever, and is highly sought after by collectors.
2 - Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works Volume II
When released, this record was limited to 10,000 copies, with each copy being numbered. Numbered pressings are almost always limited to a certain amount of copies, so because of this, they may not be able to be purchased new anymore. This makes any numbered pressing something that is very desirable for a collector, as sometimes, there may be even less available - some pressings can be limited to just 50!
1 - May Blitz - The 2nd Of May
We haven't seen May Blitz make the top ten since last May, where their eponymous album made number 2. They have taken the top spot this time, with their second album, also pressed on Vertigo Swirl labels - the key to why this record is so rare. Both of their albums were pressed on Vertigo Swirl labels, who signed many progressive rock bands in the late 60s and early 70s. As this label design was only used for a short period, and many progressive rock bands were signed by Vertigo at this time, so their early albums have become rare collectors items.
Protect your rare records:
If you own, or are looking to purchase rare records, they should be kept in the best environment to prevent them from being damaged by the elements. We recommend using HDPE inner sleeves, and polythene outer sleeves, to best protect your collection. You can add them to your next order below.
