Description PRESTIGE RECORDS LP 7010 Elmo Hope "MEDITATIONS" Very Rare FLAT EDGE 1st Pressing This great album features Elmo Hope-piano, John Ore-bass, and Willie Jones-drums. Authentic FLAT EDGE 1ST PRESSING~"RVG" (stamped in deadwax..both sides) (see 2nd pic). RUDY VAN GELDER Engineering . Original 1955 Release with earliest known matrix "A1/B1" in the dead wax. Yellow & Black labels with "446 W. 50TH ST, N.Y.C." address on labels and back cover. Deep groove. Thick inflexible original vinyl. Special Note: This rare album was carefully preserved for many years at THE KENT MEMORIAL JAZZ ARCHIVES LIBRARY in Connecticut, U.S.Note: The Library's own sticker with its library cataloguing bar code and Library name can be seen in the upper rt hand corner of front cover. Rare Light Library Official stamper is also present on the top of each label.(see label closeup pics). Overshadowed throughout his life by his friends Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, Elmo Hope was a talented pianist and composer whose life was cut short by drugs. He recorded in New York as a leader (starting in 1953) and with Sonny Rollins, Lou Donaldson, Clifford Brown, and Jackie McLean, but the loss of his cabaret card (due to his drug use) made it very difficult for him to make a living in New York. After touring with Chet Baker in 1957, Hope relocated to Los Angeles. He performed with Lionel Hampton in 1959, recorded with Harold Land and Curtis Counce, and returned to New York in 1961. A short prison sentence did little to help his drug problem and, although he sounds fine on his trio performances of 1966, he died a little over a year later. Elmo Hope's sessions as a leader were cut for Blue Note, Prestige, Pacific Jazz, Hi Fi Jazz, Riverside, Celebrity, Beacon, and Audio Fidelity. Strong VG+ Vinyl. Glossy with some light scuffs and very light hairlines...none sensitive to finger touch VG to VG+....no ringwear, one very neatly clear taped bottom seam split and one 3" neatly clear taped top rt corner seam split , white scrape mark over artists name front cover; age discoloration and tear mark towards bottom rt cornerback cover PLAY TESTED: This great Van Gelder 1st pressing plays strong and crisply with rich full Mono sound fidelity. There are no skips, clicks, or loud pops. You will hear light surface crackle on both sides. It does not overwhelm or disguise the superior musicianship present, especially the strong piano work of the one n only Elmo Hope. (see bio below) Next day shipping. Vinyl and cover separated and placed in a 2 mil poly bag and then into a professional sturdy Lp mailer along with several cardboard inserts providing extra protection for this jazz gem.