George Harrison – Cloud Nine LP 1987 US 1st Press Specialty Flower Master NM/NM

DEFINITIVE LATE-80s ROCK COMEBACK: George Harrison – Cloud Nine (Original 1987 US First Pressing — Specialty Records "Flower" Master)

Step into late-80s rock history with this pristine, investment-grade original October 1987 US first pressing of George Harrison’s multi-platinum comeback triumph, Cloud Nine (Dark Horse Records – 1-25643 / 9 25643-1).

Co-produced by George Harrison alongside Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra), this celebrated album features an all-star cast of guest contributors—including Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, and Elton John—and is loaded with iconic hits like the #1 smash "Got My Mind Set on You," the title track, and the Beatles tribute "When We Was Fab".

Pressed at the Specialty Records Corporation (SRC) in Olyphant, Pennsylvania on premium quiet vinyl, this copy features a Side A lacquer carved by legendary mastering engineer Brian "Big Bass" Gardner at Bernie Grundman Mastering, identified by his iconic hand-etched flower mark (❀). Released right as the industry shifted heavily toward compact discs, authentic original 1987 vinyl pressings were produced in far smaller numbers than 1970s releases, making high-grade copies exceptionally scarce and sought after by audiophiles and Fab Four completists.

The Technical & Pressing Profile

• Artist: George Harrison

• Title: Cloud Nine

• Label & Catalog Number: Dark Horse Records – 1-25643 / 9 25643-1

• Format: 12" Vinyl LP, Album, Stereo, First Pressing

• Release Date: October 1987

• Country of Origin: United States

• Genre / Style: Rock, Pop Rock

• Producers: George Harrison & Jeff Lynne

• Featured Guest Musicians: Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Elton John

• Pressing Plant: Specialty Records Corporation (SRC), Olyphant, PA (Machine-stamped [SRC logo])

• Mastering & Artisan Pedigree: Mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering; Side A 1st-generation lacquer cut by Brian "Big Bass" Gardner (Hand-etched ❀)

• Matrix / Runout (Side A): 1-25643-A SR1 ❀ 1-2 [SRC logo] (Etched / Stamped)

• Matrix / Runout (Side B): 1-25643-B-SR4 1-1 [SRC logo] (Etched / Stamped)

Condition & Grading

Graded conservatively using standard Goldmine parameters:

• Record Condition: Near Mint (NM / M-)

  The vinyl displays flawless, like-new factory gloss and plays with dead-quiet, vault-silent backgrounds. Brian Gardner’s precision lacquer mastering handles Jeff Lynne’s dense, multi-layered production with massive dynamic headroom, punchy low-end response, articulate acoustic guitars, and zero inner-groove distortion.

• Sleeve Condition: Near Mint (NM / M-)

  The original jacket is crisp, sharp, and immaculate. Displays vivid cover artwork, razor-sharp corners, fully intact seams, and perfect spine text readability with no signs of wear or creasing.

Why This 12" Single Belongs in Your Collection

Original 1987 pressings of Cloud Nine sit at the intersection of late-80s vinyl scarcity and premier audiophile mastering. While standard pressings can easily distort under Jeff Lynne’s wall-of-sound compression, Brian Gardner’s custom flower-cut master at Bernie Grundman Mastering brings out the full dynamic authority of the horn sections, slide guitars, and rhythm tracks against a pitch-black noise floor. Preserved in top-tier Near Mint condition inside and out, this is the definitive analog artifact of George Harrison’s late-career masterpiece.

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• Collector-Grade Packaging: Every record is packaged with extreme care. Please note that the LP will not be removed from the jacket prior to shipping. Your record will be housed inside a protective archival outer sleeve and packed tightly between rigid cardboard stiffeners inside a heavy-duty, reinforced record mailer to prevent corner dings or seam stress in transit.

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Add this essential 1987 US first pressing of George Harrison's Cloud Nine to your turntable rotation today!