Vinyl: FOREST : Forest A1G/B1G 1st PRESS 1969 No EMI Incredible AUDIO RARE MINT-

Forest : Forest A-1G / B-1G 1st Press 1969 Harvest No EMI Logo

This very collectable first pressing plays with superb audio on both sides with no interference. The clarity of sound is stunning and for a largely acoustic album to play as 'clean' as this is a genuine rarity. There is no underlying static and I only noticed 3/4 very quiet statics that obviously are not intrusive. No clicks or pops anywhere! The vinyl has a very impressive visual 'look' and whilst the record has been played it has lost none of its original sonic quality, the playback is exceptional!

The cover is in excellent condition and the only wear is around the edges really and even that is not excessive. The original inner is in excellent shape also.

This relatively rare first pressing was not pressed in vast numbers and this is one of the earlier ones with only a single stamper on each side. As this is a first press it has no EMI logo on the labels and of course a A-1G / B-1G matrix.

SHVL 760 / A-1G / B-1G / A 1 / R 1

The labels are Near Mint-

The inner sleeve is Ex+ Visual description The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no obvious marks or scratches. Under a bright light there are some faint hairlines and some light mottling mainly on S2 but this is superficial and has no affect on the superb audio. S1 has a fade line which is a little thicker but again this is faint and has no impact on the audio. The EMI Harvest labels are unmarked and have only very minimal spindle wear on S1 and just a little more on S2. Play grading The intro on 'Bad Penny' plays perfectly and the opening vocal section is just as clean and strong. It continues to play with sublime clarity through every vocal and instrumental section with no background at all, not even a solitary dust tick. This is without doubt a Mint start to the album. 'A Glade Somewhere' plays to the same high end standard with no interference. The clarity is again so impressive and there is nothing that detracts from the audio. No ticks, clicks, pops or static just pure clean Mint audio from the first note to the last including the fade out. The acoustic intro 'Lovemakers' Ways' is 'as new' and that applies to the rest of the track! There is a real depth of sound here and again the clarity is 10/10 perfect. This record has been played only on high end equipment I am sure as the original sonic quality is still very much in evidence. In essence there is nothing to report here only good things! The playback cannot be faulted and Mint is deserved. 'While You're Gone' plays with zero intrusion and you can only admire how strong the audio is. I'm not sure if it's my imagination but perhaps the clarity is not quite on the same level here. I'm sure I'm shooting myself in the foot by even saying that! There are no ticks or clicks etc and the clarity is still very impressive and the fade out plays perfectly, that's a good measure of the sound quality. Let's say Mint- A more powerful track 'Sylvie (We'd Better Not Pretend)' plays with exceptional audio from start to finish. There is no distortion on the top end and each note is so clean and distinct. This truly is a phenomenal version and the la la la sections are superb! The sonic quality is surely just as strong as it would have been 55 years ago - the depth and power of the audio is stunning and the end piano piece has no background either. A wonderful Mint version. 'A Fantasy You' ends S1 with genuine quality. The opening vocal section has no interference and the mid instrumental section is just as clean and 'fresh'. The remainder plays to the same standard and again this has to grade as Mint such is the quality of the audio. -

The acoustic intro on 'Fading Light' plays with outstanding clarity and the opening vocal has no background either. From then on there is no let up in quality, there are no negatives. You have to remember this is largely an acoustic album so for it to play so clearly is a genuine rarity. So far there has literally been no interference! This also grades as Mint

'Do You Want Some Smoke?' plays with stunning precision throughout and Mint is again richly deserved.

'Don't Want To Go' has just a hint of barely audible static at the beginning of the intro and then the first vocal section plays with great quality and... no interference. It proceeds in the same way through every vocal and instrumental section - the vocal is so strong in the mix and there is nothing to detract from the overall sound. Again the depth and warmth of the audio is high end indeed. The more I listen to it the better it gets! It is Mint all the way, a stunning version.

'Nothing Else Will Matter' plays with such clear audio and I only 'picked' up a couple of very quiet ticks. Even ticks is too strong a word for it! The clarity of sound is superb and Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio.

The gentle acoustic intro on 'Mirror Of Life' has no background and the opening vocal section is on a par with that. It continues in the same way and per any 'clean' album with a number of tracks it's difficult to be original! Needless to say it plays with imperious quality through every section. Quite powerful at the end and yet no distortion. Mint

'Rain Is On My Balcony' ends this fine album with stunning audio from start to finish. Despite being the final track the sonic quality is equally as strong and the playback is so clean and clinical. The vocals are perfect and the instrumental sections could not play any better. Undeniably a Mint version. Wow!

In summary this relatively rare and very collectable first pressing plays with stunning quality across both sides. Put simply there is no interference and the clarity and definition of the audio is superb. There are only 3/4 mega quiet ticks and they really do not even warrant a mention as they are that quiet. As stated this record has been played but it has always been very carefully handled which has helped it retain its original quality. Together with a very clean cover this will add to any high end collection.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The cover remains in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear. The top and bottom edges have some rubbing but not an excessive amount and the spine is very clean with just one small scuff in the centre and a little wear on the corners. The right hand corners are in great shape with only light wear and and the opening edge is pristine. The front cover has kept all of its original colour and is unmarked apart from a little creasing / rubbing in the lower left corner and some of that light rubbing around the edges. The back cover is superb with just a little creasing on a couple of corners. The inside of the gatefold is in lovely condition also with no marking and has just a little creasing at the bottom of the inner spine. A very strong Ex example overall.

The original plain white inner sleeve is in excellent condition with no side splits, tears or marking and only 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

SHVL 760 / A-1G / B-1G / A 1 / R 1