Numero Group—America's best archival record label, specializing in uber-rare soul and R&B but also folk, punk and obscure regional music—rolls into town from its homebase of Chicago this week, and they've come bearing gifts. Every item in its catalog that's currently in print will be on sale at this special pop-up event, with exclusive products promised. Here, co-founder Ken Shipley previews the five rarest items you'll be able to purchase—perhaps at a steep discount.
1. Amethyst, "After Midnight" 45
A tour-only exclusive pressed in a quantity of 500, this 1987 masterstroke of midtempo boogie synth is reason enough to queue up.
2. Cosmic Debris and Caribbean Soul cassettes
Two tour-only cassettes compiled by Numero's Rob Sevier and Blake Rhein, housed in a hand-screened chipboard j-card and dubbed in real time. Limited to 50 each.
3. Wilburn Burchette, Psychic Meditation Series
Mail-order mystic Burchette sold seven meditative LPs throughout the '70s, all of which are quite rare. We've re-pressed Guitar Grimoire, Music of the Godhead and Transcendental Music for Meditation in a limited edition of 500 each.
4. Extra Added Soul, Can You Feel That Beat, All Night Long
Pressed exclusively for the European market, these compilations are the perfect entry point for anyone curious about the Numero catalog. Only 100 of each made it stateside.
5. Cities of Darkscorch board game and LP
A Grammy-nominated hard-rock board game for lovers of Dungeons & Dragons, Tolkien and Sabbath.
SEE IT: The Numero Group Pop-Up is at the Cleaners, 403 SW 10th Ave., on Thursday, Oct. 20. Noon-10 pm. Entry is free. All ages.
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