Though the year is unknown, I estimate this price sticker to be somewhere in the mid-1960s range. Let’s say, for the sake of this post, that we’re looking at sealed record from 1968, with a price tag of $3.97. Adjusted for inflation, that same sealed record would cost you a whopping $28.67 today. That’s a bit of a jump, no? Anyway, $28 and change is, unfortunately, about the going rate for new releases these days (a bit more for Mondo and Waxwork gems). Which, in a roundabout way, brings me to my point. Buy used records. Hunt down original releases, and save yourself a hefty sum. Unless, of course, you’ve got a bottomless coin purse, then the world is your canvas, assuming of course you have space for all of your fancy colors.
Tag Archives: Mondo Records
Mondo vs. Mondon’t
Let me just simply say this… I love Mondo. Their hassle-free, quick shipping and superb packing make for worry-free ordering. This, coupled with their almost frequent limited pressings makes any release a complete no-brainer. Case in point, this White Russian vinyl colored 20th anniversary release of The Big Lebowski (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). A pro tip for those not already doing this: get on their mailing list, and set calendar reminders for online sale times, because when they’re gone, they’re gone, and third party sales over at Discogs will make you wish you did.
Mondo “The Dude” – Sold Out
So, Mondo made available their 20th anniversary vinyl pressing of The Big Lebowski on White Russian colored vinyl, and just as you’d expect, if you weren’t one of the lucky few to set your 10am work alarm today (12noon CT), you’d find yourself clear out of luck. Both the cocktail and black vinyl versions are now sold out, and although I remembered to set an alarm and nabbed a sweet cocktail for myself, a work buddy, and accidentally I might add, managed to nab a pair of cocktails before they ascended to that great Mondo shaped cloud in the sky. I hope you were one of the lucky ones, if, you know, you’re into great music and flawless movies. (Photo courtesy of Mondo Tees.)
It’s All in the Reflexes
Man, do I love Mondo. Though there is a SDCC (San Diego Comic Con) pressing on clear vinyl with blue splatter (limited to only 500 copies), I’m more than happy to own this retail version on blood red splattered vinyl. This soundtrack to John Carpenter’s unquestionable classic, Big Trouble in Little China, is a remastered, double LP set, and sounds absolutely perfect. If you don’t already own the original 1986 soundtrack, or hell, if you do, treat yourself (right now) to this essential classic, and remember, it’s all in the reflexes.
Big Trouble in Little Charleston
I WAS going to speak to The Charleston City All Stars and their 1955 release from Grand Award Records (Enoch Light) titled, The Roaring 20’s Vol. 2, but it dawned on me that Mondo is offering up a double LP to John Carpenter’s legendary classic, the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to Big Trouble in Little China tomorrow at noon CST. My alarm(s) are already set, so I recommend you find your way over to Mondo tomorrow and nab this essential classic (that is, of course, after I’ve nabbed mine).
Two Tickets to The Park
Leave it to Mondo. Am I right?! At the end of May they reissued the 2 LP soundtrack to John Williams’ Jurassic Park. This 180g yellow and red swirl with black splatter color variant showed up on their site for about a day, and is now no longer available. Preowned copies are up on Discogs for $79 to $199.99, so I’m glad I ignored my hesitation and nabbed this gem when I did. Nobody beats John Williams. Nobody.
src Fail
For those of you unsavory types who missed out on the ocean blue double vinyl version of the Mondo Jaws soundtrack, you’ve got an overpriced chance to acquire a copy over at srcvinyl. That’s right! For a cool $54.99, you could be the proud owner of the black vinyl version, for roughly a third more than the original retail cost of the ocean blue version. Upon closer examination over at src, it appears this item’s preorder description offers conflicting information… Unless there are varying degrees of darkness (“none more black”), how could a 180 gram black colored vinyl record be described as “Limited double 180gm colored vinyl LP pressing” ??? Somebody better fix that shit!
Jaws, Like You’ve Never Heard it Before
The long-awaited double LP soundtrack to (arguably) the greatest film of all time, Jaws, arrived just in time for some much-needed holiday cheer. Presented for the first time on wax, this “double vinyl set presents the entire Academy Award-winning score as composed and recorded for the actual film” (the Grammy-winning 1975 MCA Records release was simply a re-recording, mind you). Offered on majestic, ocean blue vinyl, and released by the greatest soundtrack distributors known to man, Mondo, this jaw(s)-dropping release ranks up there as one of the most anticipated of the year… especially since preorders went live back in early July, on Jaws’ Day, actually (7/3). Save up your holiday gift money if you’ve missed out, because this one is bar none, the definition of essential.
Contra!
Leave it to Mondo to release not one, but two colored vinyl versions of the NES classic, Contra. Side one features the NES version, while side two promotes the arcade version. Both sides at glorious 45rpm (for that maximum quality sound), this split red / blue colored vinyl version is the more easily accessible of the two releases (the other being a 2017 Comic Con exclusive). Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start. Never forget.
The Prudent Groove 