Colin Blunstone – One Year

Seems some people are unlucky with this edition; I got mine second-hand and despite it clearly having been played a bit and being fairly dusty, after a proper wet clean it has come up well, no ticks, pops etc... suggesting a solid pressing in the first place. Second disk of bonus tracks is of a pleasingly high quality and the whole package makes for a relaxing Sunday morning listen.

Colin Blunstone has a voice to die for and with the help of Rod Argent and his band, as well as sublime string arrangements by Chris Gunning, this album is truly wonderful. The bonus LP is a nice snapshot of his writing process at the time and the gatefold sleeve has extensive notes from him. Sadly, my copy (bought new) is poor and in places, totally unacceptable with break-ups on 'Let Me Come Closer To You'. Ticks, pops, crackles and chronic surface noise pervade both LP's - Sundazed used to press great vinyl in the 1990s, such as the Byrds and Dylan releases, but the change of pressing plants saw the QC drop alarmingly and I stopped buying anything from this label, but I could not resist this - same old, same old I'm afraid. The Third Man Record plant and Sundazed should be ashamed at putting out product like this to genuine fans.

This has a different label design to the first pressing but is still a PORKY and PECKO cut and is equal in sound quality. I guess this is a mid to late 70s pressing.

First record is noticeably warped on two copies I have. One much more so. Guess I will keep the less warped one.

Lovely Kevin Gray mastered pressing. Love the jacket quality, CB penned liner notes and the bonus lp of demos. Don’t hesitate

As great as I hoped it would be ! Great music on great vinyl ! Love it

Unfortunately side 2 is full of clicks and pops and has to go back

i have a VG+/NM great album and great press! soft and clean

This is essentially the follow up to the zombies odessey and oracle since it features most of the band (Blunstone, argent, white) and was recorded and produced at Abby road. Don’t sleep on this as it’s every bit as good as the work from the zombies. As for the pressing, this is the one you want. A beautiful textured sleeve cut by George Peckham. Masterful.

Sounds great. Unfortunately it came with two disc 1’s and no disc 2. You had one job, guy at the pressing plant!