Hawkwind : Hawkwind A-2U / B-2U 2nd Press 1970

This second pressing on the black Liberty label plays with superb audio and barely any intrusion.  The only 'real' intrusion is one static click on S2 and aside from that the clarity, depth and power on this classic album is stunning.  The vinyl is visually in great condition also with only some light hairlines.

The cover is in excellent condition with only light wear and the original inner is in excellent shape also.  This pressing was still produced in 1970 very soon after the original blue Liberty label first pressing.

LBS 83348 // A - 2U / B - 2U

The original inner sleeve is Ex

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a lovely glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light you can some faint sleeve removal hairlines but they obviously have no impact on the audio.  The Liberty labels are incredibly clean with barely any spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on 'Hurry On Sundown' has only a very minimal amount of mega light static at the start and then plays with great quality as the pace picks up.  The opening vocal section is perfect and it continues to play with a clarity and depth that could not be any stronger.  From start to finish there are no ticks, clicks or pops and is so close to the perfect start.  I will grade the intro as Near Mint but the rest is undeniably Mint in every way.

'The Reason Is?' plays with exceptional clarity throughout and there is no interference.  I noticed only a small number of very quiet statics but obviously they are not intrusive and they hardly deserve a mention.  The depth and resonance of the audio is stunning and Mint is richly deserved.

The segue into 'Be Yourself' is faultless and the intro then plays perfectly.  The opening vocal is just as impressive and then the long instrumental section is spectacular!  You can turn it up to max without fear of distortion - the sonic quality is on another level.  It 'drives' through with such power and definition and there is nothing to detract from the audio.  The final vocal is just as strong and this is without doubt a STUNNING Mint version.

'Paranoia - Part 1' continues the theme and plays with genuine quality from the bass intro to the final 'note'.  A Mint finish to the side.

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'Paranoia - Part 2' begins very quietly and yet the clarity is so impressive.  There is barely any background, just a couple of statics, and as it builds the playback is superb.  It progresses in the same way with no actual intrusion on the audio and Near Mint is definitely a fair reflection of the audio.

'Seeing It As You Really Are' just has one light static click and a couple of minor statics on the intro and the following instrumental passage plays with incredible quality and I only heard one very light background tick.  As it builds the clarity and depth of the audio is 'as new' through every section, I just cannot fault it.  The 'quieter' passage has only a handful of mega quiet statics and then the end section could not play any better.  The vast majority certainly plays as Mint but overall I would say the intro is Ex+ and is then Near Mint for the remainder.

The intro on 'Mirror Of Illusion' plays perfectly and the opening vocal can also be described 'as new' with not even a single dust tick.  The instrumental section then plays with a sonic quality that is second to none and the next vocal is equal to that.  This standard is kept up to the very end and Mint is the only grade I can give here.  A stunning version.

In summary this early second pressing plays with superb audio on both sides with barely any intrusion.  In fact you could say the only intrusion is that one static click on S2 but even that is not loud.  Aside from that there are only a few minor statics that really do not intrude on the overall listen.  I have graded a couple of tracks as Near Mint even though they only have a handful of insignificant statics - the vast majority does indeed play as Mint.  This is clearly a record that has not been played very much and will add to any high end collection.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in excellent condition with not too much shelf wear.  The edges have some rubbing and the spine is very clean with just a little wear on the corners.  The right hand corners have even less wear and the opening edge has only minor crimping near the top.  The front cover is in great condition without any marking and the back cover is very clean also with just a small mark in the centre near the top edge and another in the top left corner.  The inside of the gatefold just has a little marking / scuffing in the top right corner but is otherwise in superb shape.  A strong example overall.

The original plain white die-cut inner is in excellent condition with no side splits and has only a handful of faint spots and a little creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

The record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

LBS 83348 // A - 2U / B - 2U

 

 

 

 

 

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