Nutty Theory About Ja Records

Posted May 22, 200916 yr

A few years ago, I had a chat with a reggae collector (a tru one, not a fake bidder) from Guadalajara (say that correctly on your first try and win an ice-cream :tumbleweed3: ), Mexico, who's now residing in LA and spinning over there, about how and why Jamaican records are so hard to find in good condition.

Over here we don't mind too much about records being mint or mint-, mainly because the mexican peso has had quite a bad 50 years and it's not the strongest currency, so price always goes first (myself included). But sometimes with JA records, it's just too much. I don't collect them, but I've had to turn down some good JA R&B stuff because of them being in a really bad shape.

Anyway, as we spoke, he came up with a theory that seems a bit nutty and I've not forgotten: sea salt. You know you can get car's painting worn because of it, so why not records? What about all the records from the US shores you might say; but I think the sea-burn ( just coined that) gets much worse with humidity and hot weather...

What do you think? If that's not a reason at all, then what is? I don't believe Jamaicans are just too messy with their records...

Cheers,

Dante

PD Why did Soul Of Jamaica got moved to the media section? I know most of it it's about refo posts, but it seems a bit patronising from Big Daddy Northern Soul :thumbup:

Edited May 22, 200916 yr by Dante

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Birder66 2 posts
Pete S 1 post
ZapatootheTiger 1 post

July 29, 200915 yr

Occasionally you get Termite residue on the records never seen any with evidence of Sea Salt damage, but in reality the records are hard to find in decent condition as they were generally pressed in smaller numbers than US / European 45s and were bought to be played and enjoyed (Hence so many of the UK pressed JA music 45s are in poor shape as well) many of the blanks that still surface are ex- jukebox (as many people listened to music that way as they simply couldnt afford their own player) and so have had a pretty tough life

July 30, 200915 yr

Occasionally you get Termite residue on the records never seen any with evidence of Sea Salt damage, but in reality the records are hard to find in decent condition as they were generally pressed in smaller numbers than US / European 45s and were bought to be played and enjoyed (Hence so many of the UK pressed JA music 45s are in poor shape as well) many of the blanks that still surface are ex- jukebox (as many people listened to music that way as they simply couldnt afford their own player) and so have had a pretty tough life

Most of the records were played with what might almost be described as a nail! I used to wash the termite crap off using hot soapy water, but find that baby wipes are the best thing. They shift anything!!

But why do JA records sound so much better than US records? I reckon it must be something to do with the ambient heat in the pressing plant......or something....

or not!!