For me Sunbeam don't live up to expectations. Priced at the top of the re-issue market, you would expect perfection, or close to it. On the outside all looks great, their packaging and presentation is always top notch, and there is often added information which is interesting to read. That said, it is all downhill from here. After all the main point of a re-issue is the music. The very least you would expect from any re-issue, is a true representation of the original, with sound quality to match. Indeed, in some cases re-issues can actually improve badly pressed original vinyl to some degree, using recent technology. However, with many Sunbeam re-issues, their sound, levels, and mixing is at best 'questionable', and vinyl quality is only 'so-so'. For example (as mentioned below) this re-issue was pressed with a skip on 'Bless The Executioner' - and it isn't the only Sunbeam re-issue to do this. Most people would think twice about buying an original copy of this LP from 1969 with a skip in it, but to produce a re-issue with a skip is unforgiveable. The label doesn't use a professional producer, so I think the sound quality could be improved if they employed someone who knows what they are doing. As I said, to give them their credit, their covers and packaging are always very well done. But as the vinyl is less than perfect, I do wonder if they are solely focusing on the 'I want to own it, but won't play it" brigade? I must also say, that for those who have never heard originals of Sunbeam re-issues, they will probably think they are reasonable. So in this way they serve a purpose. But if you do have an original issue and play it in comparison, then I'm afraid most Sunbeam re-issues fall far short of expectations. I would say 10/10 for packaging, and 5/10 for the vinyl. If they can improve the vinyl to the packaging levels, then they would be the best re-issue label out there. Until then, its really only worth conisdering for reference only.....

While new vinyl these days can be very imperfect, it doesn't skip; Perhaps you should check your setup or upgrade your turntable/cartridge before making such a critique. The fact that you claim this new record skips makes me unable to take your review seriously. Old records sometimes skip due to heavy groove damage (mostly because they were played with heavy-tracking cartridges that were often worn or misaligned) - this would not be a problem with new records.

I agree with the comment below. This is a great sounding reissue. Sunbeam are one of the best sounding repro labels in my opinion.

Not only is this full of great music by the treasured British 60's band Kaleidoscope, but the vinyl itself is pressed quite well. Only a slight issue which I discovered while listening and doing research on the Sunbeam press of the LP...On "Bless the Executioner", great song, at 33 seconds it skips a few seconds of the lyric and music. To be honest that kinda disappointed me, yet knowing how rare originals are and how pricey they can be this is well worth it. It is pressed well on 180 gram vinyl, the packaging is superb, and the booklet is insightful. It was pressed in the UK and they do a very good job at it. Usually represses are done cheaply (Usually U.S. copies) and this is done right. Despite the hick-up on "Bless the Executioner" this repress is a must have for Kaleidoscope/Fairfield Parlour fans. I praise Sunbeam Records for the time they put into their reissues of old bands. They are a company I'd buy any record from.

My copy has some serious visual scratches on A1, straight out of the shrinkwrap.I had similar problems with my brand new (sealed) Sunbeam copy of Tangerine Dream too.