The Most Valuable Releases Sold on Discogs in October 2024

#1

“Take This Love / If You Can’t Tell Me Something Good”

Mark IV

1982

Soul singles continue to be among the top priced items on Discogs. Oftentimes, there isn’t much information surrounding the artist or release; however the sleuths in Soul Source‘s forums continue to search for these 7″s like they’re lost cities.

Selling for $7,000, “Take This Love / If You Can’t Tell Me Something Good” comes from Mark IV, a soul/funk quartet. This release is from Brite Lite Records, a 1980s soul label based in New York. The tracks are everything a listener could want from that era: loopy synth lines, hard-hitting, metronomic drums, and bright vocal melodies.

Sold for $7,000

#2

“Pay to Cum!”

Bad Brains

1980

As the first pressing of the first single from one of hardcore’s most influential bands, the $6,500 price tag checks out. Washington, D.C.-based Bad Brains violently tore into the music scene with this 1980 single. Clocking in at just over a minute and a half, it’s blistering, accusatory, derogatory, and full of attitude—descriptors that can still be applied to hardcore over 40 years later.

The price has steadily climbed in the Discogs Marketplace, with a sharp rise beginning in 2019. This sale marks an all-time high.

Sold for $6,500

#3

Standing Stone

Oliver Chaplin

1974

In 1974, on a farm in Wales, Oliver Chaplin, armed with some effects knowledge, his guitars, and his brother’s help, recorded what would become one of the most sought-after private press records. Since its release, critics have compared the DIY psychedelic nature to Captain Beefheart, its effects usage to the works of Fripp & Eno, and the dexterity to Robert Johnson. Regardless of similarities, Standing Stone is a fascinating work, carved from the solitary thoughts of one farmer.

Chaplin only pressed 250 records at the time of release. Several repressings have been issued over the years, but the version listed here is part of the original run. His work managed to catch the ears of Virgin, which was interested in distributing the release. Chaplin refused. Several musicians tracked him down, hoping to collaborate. Again, Chaplin refused. Ultimately, he decided to forgo a potential career in music.

Following the aforementioned represses and renewed interest, Chaplin revealed the existence of a follow-up album that had been recorded the same year as Standing Stone, called Stone Unturned. In 2023, Guerssen officially released it.

old for $6,410

#4

“Rich Girl”

Rock Bottom & The Spys

1981

Information about Rock Bottom & The Spys is limited. Most documentation about the Bay Area group comes from Break My Face, which reissued 800 copies of the record in 2002 after tracking down members of the group. The version listed here is from the first pressing, and the sale marks the first time a copy has sold on the Discogs Marketplace.

Rock Bottom & The Spys were an early California punk band and released two 7″ singles in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In total, all three tracks on “Rich Girl” run for under 6 minutes. It’s straightforward, nasty punk with the major distinguishing feature being a thin-sounding synth that adds an extra layer in the mix.

Sold for $4,999

#5

Growers of Mushroom

Leaf Hound

1971

In the history of metal, Leaf Hound’s name is unfortunately often left out. Occupying a similar space to Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple, this short-lived group only made one record with its original lineup, Growers of Mushroom. Leaf Hound melded blues, rock, and psychedelic music into the sludgy sound that would help birth several genres and hundreds of bands.

For serious collectors, the original Decca pressing of Growers of the Mushroom is well known, sometimes selling for up to $11,000. One Discogs user managed to snag a copy for just over $8,000 in August. In October, the price dropped to $4,410. At the time of writing, two other copies are currently listed on the site.

Sold for $4,410