The 1970s were golden years for vinyl records. Nowadays, record collectors still go a long way to get records from +40 years ago. Still, it is not easy to find.
We tried to find 9 very rare vinyl records from the 1970s by hunting through Discogs. We have approached our hunt by comparing the number of ‘Have’ with the number of ‘Want’. We kept the highest H/W ratio we found.
Our 9 selected rare vinyl records from the 1970s are:
- The Contemporaries – It’s A New Day
- James Knight & The Butlers – Black Knight
- Dada – Jyo
- Formula 1 – Hold On
- Tres & Kitsy – Dandelions
- K Frimpong Backed By Vis-A-Vis – K Frimpong Backed By Vis-A-Vis
- Disco-Blaze – Jump Back!
- Marisa Rossi – Deixa Eu Te Amar
- Betty Lou Landreth – Betty Lou
Below we go into more detail per record.
9. The Contemporaries – It’s A New Day
| Have | Want | H/W Ratio |
| 19 | 231 | 12 |
| Last Sold | Highest | Lowest |
| Dec 13, 2019 | €761.25 | €355.91 |
The Contemporaries is a gospel choir from 1975. Their full name is The Contemporary Gospel Ensemble. They only released this record. The same is true for the label that released it, Perfect Day Records.
Being able to put a needle on the record seems to be a gasping experience. Fortunately, there is a version online. The gospel lyrics are powerful. The soul-jazz will give you goosebumps immediately.
We cannot find much more online. Only that collectors are willing to pay serious money for the record. Currently, there is one record for sale for approximately €1520.
| Label | Catalog Number | Country | Year | Genre |
| Perfect Day Records | LP-117 | US | 1975 | Jazz, Funk |
8. James Knight & The Butlers – Black Knight
| Have | Want | H/W Ratio |
| 66 | 836 | 13 |
| Last Sold | Highest | Lowest |
| Aug 1, 2021 | €1,032.00 | €215.00 |
James Knight & The Butlers were a Miami-based funk band. The sound is similar to Funkadelic with a Latin-style tempo. The record was the first LP released by Cat label, known also for releases of Gwen McCrae.
The tracks on the album were definitely inspired by the late 1960s. James Knight Seems to be a grotesque guitarist. Next, he proves to bring influences from Jimi Hendrix and Aretha Franklin to the table.
Black Knight seems to be one of the few records James Knight will produce. Not much more can be found, except that one copy sold for €1032.
| Label | Catalog Number | Country | Year | Genre |
| Cat | 711 | US | 1971 | Funk |
7. Dada – Jyo
| Have | Want | H/W Ratio |
| 42 | 663 | 16 |
| Last Sold | Highest | Lowest |
| Nov 16, 2018 | €626.39 | €626.39 |
Dada is a Japanese band from the 70s and 80s. The band does have an ambient, electronic sound. Vanity Records was from Osaka, founded in 1978. The label represented a pioneering underground scene of the late 70s, early 80s in Japan.
The vinyl record plays spacey electronica with cross-genre influences. It relies on synthesizers, minimalistic sounds, and silence. Interesting listen. We have to admit we like to A side better than the B side.
The record is well sought after because there were only 200 copies made. Currently, a version of the record can be found starting from €1065.
| Label | Catalog Number | Country | Year | Genre |
| Vanity Records | vanity 0001 | Japan | 1978 | Electronic |
6. Formula 1 – Hold On
| Have | Want | H/W Ratio |
| 61 | 1096 | 18 |
| Last Sold | Highest | Lowest |
| Aug 21, 2020 | €500.00 | €152.25 |
Formula 1 – Hold On you’ll remember by its remarkable cover. Formula 1 was a funk band. The credits on the cover don’t reveal much more. Guinness records is an American label from the late 70s. It released soul and rock.
The listen is funky and smooth. The cover seems to reveal a masterpiece once the needle hits. The record is only 30:42 long. Still, a soulful journey.
We can definitely understand why the record is sought after. Currently, there is one for sale for €431
| Label | Catalog Number | Country | Year | Genre |
| Guinness Records | GNS 36003 | US | 1977 | Funk |
5. Tres & Kitsy – Dandelions
| Have | Want | H/W Ratio |
| 29 | 522 | 18 |
| Last Sold | Highest | Lowest |
| Jun 29, 2020 | €522.00 | €435.00 |
As ten-year-olds, Tres & Kitsy wrote and recorded the album Dandelions. They called themselves ‘Children of Sunshine’. In the late 1970s, KBK Records pressed 300 copies and the girls sold them to family and friends. Almost 40 years later, original pieces of vinyl were found. These became a sought-after cult item for record collectors.
The listen uncovers an indie-pop masterpiece. The girls sing about family, friends, their pets, and other simple emotions. The record is folk and an immediate uplifter if you’re down.
The women were approached by several record labels to reissue the album. The cult following keeps growing. For now, no new work has come out. You can buy one original copy for €1726.
| Label | Catalog Number | Country | Year | Genre |
| KBK Records | MK 27-61 | US | 1971 | Pop, Folk, World |
4. K Frimpong Backed By Vis-A-Vis – K Frimpong Backed By Vis-A-Vis
| Have | Want | H/W Ratio |
| 31 | 630 | 20 |
| Last Sold | Highest | Lowest |
| Dec 31, 2020 | €957.00 | €45.00 |
Alhaji K. Frimpong was a Ghanaian guitarist and lead vocalist. Vis A Vis is one of the two bands he played with. The record has a Hi-life, Afro-Funk sound. The Ghanaian label Ofo Bros is from the 70s.
A seamless blend of different influences. While the record is rather short, it is catchy enough to get you dancing before the end of the first track. A guitar that is almost not amplified and disco grooves, a great combination.
The album has been reissued. Still, the original release is an ultimate collector item. Currently, there are no copies of the 1978 issue available. We can see that one was sold for €949.
| Label | Catalog Number | Country | Year | Genre |
| Ofo Bros | OFBLS 1015 | Ghana | 1978 | Funk, Folk, World |
3. Disco-Blaze – Jump Back!
| Have | Want | H/W Ratio |
| 15 | 305 | 20 |
| Last Sold | Highest | Lowest |
| Jul 15, 2016 | €889.77 | €889.77 |
Disco-Blaze is a Nigerian, mid-70s band. One album issued and never to be heard of again. Iyanda Record Industry was a Nigerian record label that released African Funk. A lot of release dates of the label are not known either.
The album is rather a hidden story. Still, record collectors are on the lookout. It is a superb funk, psychedelic jam. Definitely a rare groove record with brilliant guitar.
Some have tried to remaster the record, but apparently, this can not be compared to the original. One original copy has been sold for €887.
| Label | Catalog Number | Country | Year | Genre |
| Iyanda Record Industry | IRI 127 | Nigeria | 1977 | Rock, Funk |
2. Marisa Rossi – Deixa Eu Te Amar
| Have | Want | H/W Ratio |
| 27 | 555 | 21 |
| Last Sold | Highest | Lowest |
| Mar 7, 2020 | €435.00 | €391.50 |
Marisa Rossi can be linked to the Brazilian Groove of the early 1970s. A time and period bringing forward gems. Copacabana Compacto was a sub-label for the 7″ of Copacabana.
The singles on the vinyl record are uptempo listens with smooth percussions. Original Brazilian psychedelic funk. You can not dislike this. Wiggling from front to end.
We can understand why this record is such a collectible. It brings the sun into a place. The album has been reissued. We can see the lowest sell was one for €392
| Label | Catalog Number | Country | Year | Genre |
| Copacabana Compacto | 892 | Brazil | 1970 | Latin, Funk |
1. Betty Lou Landreth – Betty Lou
| Last Sold | Highest | Lowest |
| Apr 20, 2021 | €600.00 | €348.00 |
Betty Lou Landreth has a sensational voice. Still, has only brought forward one album in 1979. The debut record was released by here then-husband Joel Palmer. He pressed the record on his private Ya Ya, Inc. Label.
The tracks combine soul-jazz with disco and bossa. Even a sniff of country is added. Truly a unique mixture of influences that are well sought after.
Collectors sell the original record for 3 digit amounts. Backatcha Records has reissued a new double LP pressing cut from the original master tapes in 2020. There is one original for sale for €1050 though.
| Label | Catalog Number | Country | Year | Genre |
| YaYa, Inc. | Y1979-1 | US | 1979 | Jazz, Funk |