Nirvana - Local Anaesthetic (Japan) – HOLY GRAIL 1971 WHITE LABEL PROMO – VERTIGO SWIRL SFX-7381 – NM Vinyl - LP - Promo, 1st Pressing, Japanese pressing - 1971

An exceptionally rare original 1971 Japanese promotional pressing of Nirvana's cult progressive and psychedelic masterpiece Local Anaesthetic, issued on Vertigo / Phonogram under catalogue number SFX-7381. This is the extremely elusive Japanese white label promo edition of an album that is already notoriously difficult to find as a normal commercial Japanese pressing. The Japanese SFX-7381 issue belongs to the earliest period of Vertigo's presence in Japan and features the unmistakable large Vertigo swirl design, closely associated with some of the most collectible progressive and psychedelic records of the early 1970s. The promotional configuration makes this copy particularly special: rather than the standard commercial labels, this example carries the dedicated promo and sample label variation, produced for industry and promotional use rather than ordinary retail distribution.

Local Anaesthetic was Nirvana's fourth studio album and marked a major change in direction from the group's earlier psychedelic-pop recordings. By this point, the project had largely become the work of Patrick Campbell-Lyons, and the music moved toward a much more adventurous combination of progressive rock, psychedelia, experimental music and jazz-influenced passages. Rather than following a conventional collection of short songs, the album is built around two extended compositions: "Modus Operandi (Method of Work)" and the ambitious multi-part suite "Home", divided into Salutation, Construction, Destruction, Reconstruction and Fanfare. This makes Local Anaesthetic one of the most experimental and unusual records in the Nirvana catalogue and one of the more fascinating underground titles released through Vertigo during the period. The original gatefold sleeve is highly distinctive, featuring striking Keef-designed artwork that has become inseparable from the album's cult status.

This Japanese copy retains the original Japanese insert, an important component that is frequently missing from surviving examples.

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Sleeve (VG+):
The original gatefold sleeve remains a solid and very presentable VG+ example. There is some corner wear and normal light age-related handling visible, but no major distracting damage. The remarkable artwork remains bright and attractive, and the sleeve displays very well overall → VG+

Insert:
Original Japanese insert included.

Vinyl (NM):
The vinyl is in superb Near Mint condition, retaining a beautiful deep original gloss with extremely little evidence of previous play or handling. For such an elusive promotional pressing, the condition is especially impressive → NM

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Details
* Japan 1st pressing, 1971
* Vertigo / Phonogram SFX-7381
* White label promo / sample copy
* Large Vertigo swirl design
* Original gatefold sleeve
* Original Japanese insert included
* Made in Japan
* OBI not included