Sadistic Mika Band - Black Ship [100% Pure LP]

★Limited edition of 1,000 copies with serial number
★45 RPM 2LP + 7" single
★Uncolored virgin vinyl
★180-gram heavyweight vinyl
★Metal-master pressing
★Latest WAV master derived from 192 kHz/24-bit files transferred from the original analog tapes in 2023
★Gatefold coated jacket + special soft vinyl outer bag
★Lyrics and liner notes included

●The concept created by Kazuhiko Kato and his close friend Takeshi Matsuyama is brought to life with the production of the master craftsman Chris Thomas and the formidable band ensemble, which includes the newly added Yu Imai (key). This is the second album released by the MIKA Band in 1974, also released in the UK and US as "Black Ship," and is an overwhelming masterpiece in Japanese rock history that now appears on the super high-end analog record "100% Pure LP," which was revived last year!

●"100% Pure LP" is a special Made in Japan product that appeared in 2012 and attracted great attention from all over the world, making it a pioneer of modern high-fidelity records. One of its features is the use of "uncolored virgin vinyl," which completely eliminates coloring agents such as carbon normally used in analog records that affect sound. By using only pure straight polyvinyl chloride as the raw material, it reliably increases the stability of molding.

●Another point is the adoption of "metal-master pressing." By omitting the metal mother and stamper from the process leading up to the usual analog record pressing and pressing directly from the metal master, it enables the molding of grooves with overwhelming fidelity. However, because it is inferior in durability, the number of pressings is strictly limited.

●This work further adopts 45 RPM, used for 12-inch singles, rather than the 33 RPM of a standard LP. Although it is a two-disc set because the recording time that can be accommodated on each side is shorter, it allows for wider and longer grooves, and by rotating at high speed, stability is also improved, creating a major advantage in detail reproduction and richness of volume.

●The sound source is based on 192 kHz/24-bit WAV files transferred from the original analog master tapes in 2023 (the two songs on the 7" disc are 96 kHz/24-bit WAV files transferred in 2026), and it is mastered as flat as possible to preserve the freshness of the sound and dynamic range. It pursues a natural and faithful sound reproduction of the original sound.

●By thoroughly pursuing the entire process from the selection of master and vinyl materials to pressing, "100% Pure LP" fully demonstrates the true value of the record disc. While preserving the guts and warmth unique to analog, it delivers a literally pure and clear sound completely free of turbidity and impurities.

●A bonus uncolored virgin vinyl 7-inch single is also included, coupling "Hi Baby," which was released as a single only the previous year, and "Ohanami Boogie," an unreleased song from the album sessions that was later included on a best-of album (not a heavyweight metal-master pressed disc).

Tracklist:
[LP / Side A]
1. To the Land of Sumi-e
2. Something Comes from the Sea
3. A Request to the Time Machine

[Side B]
1. Black Ship (June 2, 1868)
2. Black Ship (June 3, 1868)
3. Black Ship (June 4, 1868)

[Side C]
1. Nice to Meet You
2. Dontaku
3. Hymn to the Four Seasons

[Side D]
1. A Leap to the Fence
2. Typhoon Song
3. Goodbye

[7" / Side A]
1. Hi Baby*
[Side B]
1. Ohanami Boogie*
*Bonus Track