Queen Jazz 1978 Gatefold Vinyl Record

Queen Jazz 1971 Gatefold Vinyl Record.

Cover: VG (has a small cut out and small seam split, see pic. Vibrant cover)
Record: EX
Sleeve: VG+
We grade our records conservatively.

Queen’s Jazz (1978 Gatefold Vinyl Record) is the band’s seventh studio album, released on November 10, 1978. Known for its wide-ranging musical styles and eclectic mix of rock, pop, and operatic influences, Jazz showcases Queen's signature genre-blending sound.

Overview:

• Artist: Queen
• Album Title: Jazz
• Release Date: November 10, 1978
• Label: EMI (UK), Elektra (US)
• Format: Gatefold Vinyl
• Genre: Rock, Glam Rock, Hard Rock

Notable Tracks:

The album includes some of Queen's most iconic songs:

1. “Fat Bottomed Girls” – A powerful rock anthem with heavy guitar riffs and energetic vocals.
2. “Bicycle Race” – A quirky, operatic tune with dynamic arrangements and playful lyrics.
3. “Don’t Stop Me Now” – An upbeat, piano-driven track that has become one of Queen’s most beloved songs.
4. “Let Me Entertain You” – A fast-paced rock track often used to kick off the band’s live performances.

Gatefold Packaging:

• Artwork: The gatefold sleeve features distinctive and somewhat controversial cover art designed by Richard Gray, with minimalist typography. Inside the gatefold, fans were treated to a panoramic band photograph.
• Bonus Poster: Early pressings included a fold-out poster depicting a nude women’s bicycle race, which was inspired by the lyrics of “Bicycle Race.”

Musical Style:

Jazz is a diverse album, blending Queen’s hard rock roots with elements of glam rock, pop, and even jazz, as the title suggests. This eclectic mix highlights the band’s versatility, with dramatic shifts in style from track to track.

Reception & Legacy:

Upon release, Jazz received mixed reviews, with some critics unsure how to interpret the genre variety. However, it was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 on charts around the world. Over time, the album has been reassessed more favorably, especially for standout tracks like “Don’t Stop Me Now”, which has become one of Queen’s most celebrated songs.

For collectors, the 1978 gatefold vinyl edition of Jazz is highly sought after, thanks to its unique packaging, including the controversial poster, and its representation of Queen at the height of their creative experimentation.

Record grading:

• Mint (M): Perfect in every way. No scuffs, scratches, or signs of wear. The sleeve is also flawless.

• Near Mint (NM or M-): The record and sleeve are nearly perfect. The record may have very minor signs of use, like faint sleeve marks, but no noticeable defects.

• Very Good Plus (VG+): The record has slight wear, including light scuffs or minor surface noise, but still plays well. The sleeve may have some wear like slight ring wear or minor creasing.

• Very Good (VG): The record shows more significant wear, with visible scuffs or light scratches, and may have more noticeable surface noise or pops. The sleeve will have visible signs of aging or wear, such as seam splits or ring wear.

• Good Plus (G+) / Good (G): The record plays through without skipping but has considerable wear, including surface noise and scratches. The sleeve may have significant damage such as tears, writing, or heavy ring wear.

• Fair (F) / Poor (P): The record is heavily damaged, scratched, or warped, and may not play through without skipping or repeating. The sleeve will likely have extensive damage.
  
  Album cover grading:
  

  • Mint (M): Perfect condition, with no signs of wear. No seam splits, creases, ring wear, writing, or discoloration. Extremely rare.

  • Near Mint (NM or M-): The cover is nearly flawless. It may have the slightest hint of wear but no major defects. Corners are sharp, and no creases or fading.

  • Very Good Plus (VG+): The cover shows light wear, such as slight ring wear, small corner dings, or minor seam wear. There may be some small writing or a light crease, but overall it’s well-kept.

  • Very Good (VG): More noticeable wear, including ring wear, seam splits, small tears, or writing. The artwork may be slightly faded, but the cover is still functional and not heavily damaged.

  • Good Plus (G+) / Good (G): Significant wear, including heavy ring wear, noticeable seam splits, major creasing, or large amounts of writing. The cover may have significant damage but still holds the record.

  • Fair (F) / Poor (P): Extremely worn or damaged, with large tears, missing parts, major seam splits, or heavy writing. The cover may be heavily deteriorated or even unusable.