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View Full Version : Buying rare vinyl - a tale of woe



Sigma
02-07-2012, 12:55 AM
Back in the 1990s a tune from L.L. Cool J called "Year Of The Hip Hop" got played on the radio, but never got an official release. For many years there were rumours of it finally coming out, but then in 2011 it actually happened.

The label that sorted it out offered a limited run of 10 test pressings signed by K-Def, the producer who originally made the beat for the track. They did a regular release too, but these were the super-rare collectible copies. I happened to be at my PC when the label sent out a mass email saying that pre-orders were open and when I went to their site, the 10 test pressings hadn't sold out so I decided to buy one for $100. A few minutes later it had sold out.

A few weeks later, the postman knocked on my door and handed me a package with this attached to it: -

http://i.imgur.com/0maEI.jpg

The package was absolutely soaked through, like it had been dunked in a bath for a week. I let it dry out and took the record out, but it looked like this: -

http://i.imgur.com/ZYbgI.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/QGd72.jpg

The sleeve was all bent and was falling apart and the ink on the sleeve had run.

So I contacted the label and they said that only 10 copies were made and they were all sold, but they would replace the sleeve for me. Either that or I could return the record for a refund. As the record itself was fine, I decide to get the new sleeve.

The label emailed me and asked what I'd like K-Def to write on the sleeve, so I emailed back and said "just a general message is fine". Bear in mind that they knew my name was Steve and so the message was to be signed to "Steve". They had a new sleeve made up and sent it off to K-Def to sign. He sent it back to them signed "to Barry". LOL.

Much love to Slice of Spice (the label) as they've been great, but damn, I don't have much luck with these rare purchases!

Interracial Tea
02-07-2012, 01:12 AM
At least the record made it out alright. That would piss me off if the entire record was warped or broken. :lol: at barry

Sigma
02-07-2012, 01:16 AM
Being an old school hip-hop head, the first thing that came to mind when I read that shit about "Barry" was this, haha: -

LMth-jyWc6g

NPC
02-07-2012, 01:22 AM
Look on the bright side! Your record now has a story! A funny tale of woe can add value of it's own.

Edit: Found the song in question:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKFekRL1Qjc

Sigma
02-07-2012, 01:24 AM
Yeah man. I'll be the only person with a copy of this that has 2 sleeves for it. I should have asked them to send me the "Barry" sleeve too, haha.

NPC
02-07-2012, 01:29 AM
Yeah man. I'll be the only person with a copy of this that has 2 sleeves for it. I should have asked them to send me the "Barry" sleeve too, haha.

Wait, you didn't?! Dude, get on that.

Lazerick
02-07-2012, 10:27 AM
I wonder is my friend (Cut Creator) has a copy, I'll check

Lazerick
02-07-2012, 10:28 AM
Yeah man. I'll be the only person with a copy of this that has 2 sleeves for it. I should have asked them to send me the "Barry" sleeve too, haha.

Nice !!!!! :tup:

LeFresh
02-15-2012, 10:32 AM
Oh Barry.

Mahatma Coat
02-15-2012, 12:57 PM
Seriously lucky with the record there though Baz, looks like it escaped getting mangled by a cat's whisker.

I bet you were shaking like a leaf until you put it on the platter and confirmed all was well.