All New 2016 SHM-CD "Mini-L.P.'s" from Japan!

On December 14th Universal Music released a set of CD "Mimi-L.P.'s" out of Japan of the first 6 Blue Cheer LP's. The SMH-CD series features a new 2016 re-mastering, and each Mini-L.P. faithfully replicates it's U.S. first pressing L.P. design, and even replicates the original obi that accompanied the original Japanese issues. Includes a lyric and description sheet as well.

I'n not to sure how "Limited" these limited editions are, but it seems they're beginning to disappear already, even commanding higher than retail prices from some sources . The releases also take the form of a boxed set, but these are apparently "promo" pieces. and spendy. At roughly $25-$30 a cd, a full set would run around, let's say $150. However, all 6 mini-L.P.'s, with the box, will set you back to the tune of $230-$250. That's one spendy cardboard box. Other boxes are available as well. I've come across two variations of a Vincibus Eruptum box, as well as an Outside Inside variation, leading one to believe that the boxes are available separately with a "carrying case" type purpose in their own right.

One varient of the "Vincibus Eruptum" box

In that respect, it's fairly difficult to tell whether they are in fact "promo's" or their own product. Either way, $$$.

If you're not familiar with SMH cd's the abbreviation stands for "super high material", meaning that it's an improved compact disc product with the greatest change being a polycarbonate material that allows more precise physical representation of stored bits during pressing, and less laser scattering during reading. These improvements aim to facilitate playback by producing fewer errors and, potentially, better sound quality. SMH-CD's are played through regular CD players.

Outside Inside "pill-box"

The Japanese mini L.P. has quite a following of it's own.  These miniature paper/cardboard clad releases do a pretty good job a recreating old records. I've even come across a few blogs devoted solely to the mini-L.P. scene. Maybe you knew that already. I didn't. I am also not in any big hurry to replace all my "standard" sized record either. I'll be sticking to the actual L.P. as my primary medium. But these are really cool.

I'm reminded of "Chu  Bops", those mini L.P's of the 1980's that contained little bubble gum "records"? You can still find lots of them for sale on ebay. (I wouldn't recommend eating them) However I didn't buy many of them when I was a kid. Seems they never had any mini Iron Maiden or Alice Cooper records. Woe is me.

A set of Rolling Stones "Chu Bops." I wonder how long it will be before I start adding these to my collection.

Leigh Stephens - After Blue Cheer

After his departure from Blue Cheer in 1969, Leigh Stephens went on to form Silver Meter with Pete Sears on bass. Sears played on the classic Rod Stewart albums Gasoline Alley, Every Picture Tells A Story, (which was listed high in Rolling Stone Magazine's top 500 albums of all time), Never A Dull Moment, and Smiler. He also played on the hit singles Maggie May and Reason to Believe, and was with Jefferson Starship (1974 to 1984) and it's offspring Starship (1985 to 1987). Micky Waller occupied the drums and Jack Reynolds supplied vocals.
  The group recorded one album, at Trident Studios in London, England and it was released on National General Records, produced by their manager, FM rock radio pioneer Tom Donahue.

His 1971 album, And A Cast of Thousands featured among other musicians his fellow band members from the above mentioned band, together with the power trio Ashton, Gardner, and Dyke, together with the two sax players from If, Dave Quincey, Dave Morrissey, and Jethro Tull bassist Glen Cornick.
1971 also saw the formation of Pilot, consisting of Bruce Stephens, Leigh Stephens, Micky Waller, and Neville Whitehead. The band came about while Micky Waller was on a trip to California, where he met and played with Bruce Stephens who had just completed playing with Blue Cheer as lead guitarist / vocalist. Mickey returned to England and met with Martin Quittenton. They formed the band and stayed together until 1973. During that time they released two albums for RCA: Pilot (1972), and Point of View (1973), along with one single Rider / Miss Sandy. 

He was ranked 98 on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the 100 greatest guitar players of all time.

Red Weather - 1969