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Kate Bush : The Hounds Of Love A4 / B6 1st Press Special Edition Promo (Press Pack) 1985 Rare!

This special edition press pack promo was released in 1985 and is clearly a very rare item.  Not even Discogs has sold one!  This one is in great condition and only the outer folder has some creasing / wear along the top edge as is usual.

The vinyl itself plays with superb audio and a full grading is given below.  There is just a little static on the opening track of each side and even then it is certainly not loud.  There are no clicks or pops anywhere.  The actual cover remains in lovely condition with barely any wear.

All of the original contents are in superb condition with only the credits slip having a little creasing.  The three photos, the merch sheet and the press release are practically 'as new'.

EJ 2403841 A-4U-1-1  TOWNHOUSE // EJ2403841 A-6U-1-1  TOWNHOUSE

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 opening section Ex- / T5 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 Ex+ / T2 & T6 Near Mint)

The outer folder is VG+

The cover is Near Mint-

The lyric inner is Near Mint-

The 3 photos and merch sheet are Mint

The press release is Near Mint and the credits page is Ex

The labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition with a strong glossy sheen and there are no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can only see a handful of very faint hairlines, there is nothing that stands out.  The most obvious thing you could say is some mottling around the run out grooves but then the labels are very clean without any marking and hardly any spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on 'Running Up That Hill' has some light statics but nothing loud and then the opening vocal plays very clearly with only a little static at the start.  From on it plays with exceptional clarity, the playback is superb.  There is so much depth and warmth to the sound and I did not even detect a single dust tick let alone anything more.  Even the fade out is near perfect with only a couple of barely audible statics.  The intro is Ex- but the rest has to grade as Mint it is that good.

 

'Hounds Of Love' plays with sublime quality through every section with no interference.  You can hear note so clearly and sonically nothing is lost.  Again the warmth and depth of the music is so impressive and Mint is well deserved.

'The Big Sky' keeps up the standard and plays with phenomenal audio.  From start to finish the sonic quality is 'as new' and there is literally no intrusion on the audio, not even a dust tick on the fade out!  It is Mint in every way.

'Mother Stands For Comfort' plays beautifully with a clarity that is second to none.  Once again there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and every vocal and instrumental section plays with stunning precision.  Mint

The intro on 'Cloudbusting' has one light tick at the start and then the opening vocal plays perfectly.  It continues in the same precise way with no intrusion.  The clarity, depth and resonance of the audio is equal to that of an un-played record and I cannot find fault.  The end 'choral' section and fade out is stunning, no background at all.  Ok there is only one tick but I will grade as Near Mint just to play it safe.

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The opening vocal on 'And Dream Of Sheep' plays very clearly with only the bare minimum of light static.  The following quiet passage has a little background static and the next vocal is close to perfect with barely any static.  It continues in much the same way but there is just a very gentle static 'hum' in the background.  In my opinion it is not intrusive because it is so quiet and Ex+ is still a fair assessment of the audio.

No such issue with 'Under Ice' as the clarity of sound from start to finish is very impressive.  I heard only a couple of static ticks in the middle but otherwise it plays perfectly including the very quiet end section.  Near Mint

The opening quiet piece on 'Waking The Witch' plays with no interference and as the volume increases the playback is superb!  This 'psychedelic' section continues in the same way and the depth and resonance of the audio - wow!  This track has to grade as Mint- at the very least.

The opening vocal section on 'Watching You Watching Me' plays with wonderful clarity and the first verse is equal to that.  This standard is kept up as it progresses and again there is no intrusion on the audio.  Perhaps a couple of very light statics but it's like I'm looking for a negative by even saying that!  The clarity is stunning throughout and I will say Mint- even if that is an underestimation!

'Jig Of Life' plays with genuine quality from the very first note.  The intro is perfect as is the first vocal and it continues in the same way.  The strings / pipes section is stunning and the brief vocal only section is just as strong.  To the end it plays with impeccable quality and Mint is certainly deserved here.

The radiophonic intro on 'Hello Earth' plays perfectly as does the opening vocal.  A couple of mega quiet statics on the next vocal section but nothing intrusive.  The choir section has a few minor statics but again they are quiet and there is no other background.  Kate's next vocal plays beautifully and this level does not drop as it continues.  The final choir section incidentally plays with amazing clarity!  A Near Mint version and I am sure many would say better.

'The Morning Fog' ends this classic album with a sonic quality that cannot be faulted.  There is not so much as a dust tick here and the clarity is 10/10 for sure.  This track can correctly be described 'as new' and Mint is the only grade I can give.

In summary this first pressing plays to a superb standard with only very minimal intrusion.  Some light static on the opening track of each side that sums it up I would say.  The vast majority of the album plays with exceptional audio and there are no ticks, clicks or pops getting in the way.  A very collectable special edition of course and winning bidder will not be disappointed!

The Outer Folder, Cover, Lyric Inner + Contents

The 'ribboned' glossy outer cover is so rarely found in perfect condition because it is larger than the actual cover of course.  This often results in some creasing along the top edge which you can see here.  The bottom edges are in excellent shape with hardly any wear and the corners have just a little rubbing / wear.  The front and back have a little foxing and the lilac ribbon is still firmly tied.  I won't undo it but you can see the credits on the inside by gently opening the top edge and looking inside.  

The cover itself is in superb condition with only a couple of small corner creases and a couple of minor crease lines by the top edge.  The front and back are unmarked and the opening edge has no handling wear.  A superb example!  The lyric inner is in lovely condition with just one tiny corner crease top left.

All the other contents are in superb condition.  The three EMI photos are 'as new' as is the merchandise sheet.  The two page purple press release, which includes a discography, is unmarked and has only very minimal creasing around the staple and the smaller credits page has a little creasing.

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