Albatross (14) – Albatross

Bought it for the cover in 2022, did not like it. Filed for sale. Recently discounted a lot of my records due to the move. And I was like "Wow I would pay for that record that price, why ma I selling?". Spinned it again and it totally grew on me.

Unlike the second more famous Albatross, this one was mostly distributed as a promo copy. Which is strange, since I think this first one is better in music and the artwork as well.

The clue behing Japanese promo copies, as told by Toshiba owner to my friend was. That they pressed e.g 300 promo copies. Given out to record shops. If they sold quickly and was good demand. They started the regular pressing. If the demand was small they pressed only a few more like 200 regular copies and closed it off, or did not even press regular. That is the story behind the usual mystery of some Japanese albums appearing only as promo copies.

So it seems this Albratross did not sell enough. Was it not a time yet for a smooth Soft Rock with some Psychedelic touches in few songs? A bad timing?

Wonder who was the illustrator on this one, any clues?