Vinyl: Jazz Odyssey Vol 3 The Sound Of Harlem Columbia WLP 2 eye VG+ 3LP box W/booklet

The third of three-LP box sets released by Columbia in the early '60s in their Jazz Odyssey series, as with the New Orleans and Chicago samplers, contains some common selections but quite a few rarities among its 48 performances. In addition to such major names as Mamie Smith (her pioneering 1920 recording of "Crazy Blues"), James P. Johnson, Fletcher Henderson, Louis Armstrong, Ethel Waters, Fats Waller, Cab Calloway and Billie Holiday, there are numbers from Edith Wilson, Thomas Morris, Leroy Tibbs, Mattie Hite, Lena Wilson, Buck and Bubbles and The Hokum Trio. Most of the first two LPs stick to the 1920s and early '30s while the last one goes up to Cootie Williams's 1942 recording of "Epistrophy." Highly recommended although this set will be very difficult to find. (allmusicguide)

Excellent (EX) Vinyl should still play with no skips of any kind. There can be some very minor surface scuffs, but they should not affect the sound quality. The record sleeve can have some minor ring wear but it should be mostly in good shape. Also, there can be some minor creases in the corners but no splits in the seams.

Very Good+ (VG+) This is the grading category where the quality of the sound is affected -- there will be some surface noise -- and the vinyl will show wear, including surface scuffs and some light scratches. However, the record is still very listenable as there are no deep scratches that cause skips. On the cover, the corners may be slightly bent, but not broken. There may be wear to the seams but not tears or holes.

Very Good (VG) Vinyl doesn't necessarily look good, but still plays well enough. Surface noise will probably be present, including pops and clicks. At higher volume levels, the music should overpower any pops and clicks present. There may be seam splitting, but not complete separation of the sleeve panels from each other. There will be noticeable ring wear on the cover, but the cover should for the most part still be in good condition.

Very Good Minus (VG-) Vinyl is well played and looks it. However, the record should still play without skipping. It will have substantial surface noise, pops and clicks. Loss of various parts of the dynamic range will occur due to worn grooves. This grade depends a lot on the owner and the type of records he or she collects. A rock record may still sound ok at a high volume, but quieter styles of music will be practically unlistenable. The record cover may have many problems including seam splits, tears, and writing on it.