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Welcome to MiniLPs.Net
Inside stand up from Jethro Tull's Stand Up album

Welcome to the definitive English language resource for all things related to Mini LP Replica CDs.

The crème de la crème of mini paper sleeve LP replicas, and by far the largest selection in this site is the Japanese Mini LP CD.

Since mid 2007, our small team of dedicated enthusiast volunteers have uploaded near complete scans of more than 3,500 cardboard sleeve releases including over 400 official Japanese boxes and box sets. We have identified at least 13,000 Japanese Mini LP releases which we've recorded in our database and plan to build on this as new and old releases come to light.

Be sure to read our section on watching out for fakes. If you want to avoid fakes you can do no better than buy from one our known and trusted eBay sellers using our custom search.

Page down to see the latest news on releases and reprints on mini LPs and promo boxes.

 
What is a mini LP?

A mini LP is a CD version of something that was originally released as a 12" (12 inch) vinyl LP.

They are also known as LP replicas as they tend to exactly replicate the original packaging of the first vinyl release.

In many cases the packaging is superior to, or at least more elaborate than the majority of vinyl releases. The reason being that many follow-up vinyl releases were inferior to the first vinyl release (or at least lacked some of the extras found in the first release - such as postcards, posters, lyric sheets etc).

They are often refered to as "cardboard sleeves" and "paper sleeves" being made exlusively from paper or cardboard (other than the CD of course).  Other names and abbreviations include: "jpn lp sleeve cd" and "kami-jacket". (The last of these I guess is an indication that they are held in high esteem by many who collect them.)

LPs (short for Long Play) are still made today.  They are made from vinyl (acetate, whatever) and are placed flat on a device known as a turntable.  This rotates the disc at about 33 and 1/3 revolutions per minute.  A needle (or stylus) is placed on the "vinyl" and the vibrations detected by this are translated into an electronic "pulse" which in turn is converted and amplified into sound waves.

 
What is an obi strip?

Obi has a couple of meanings.

On this site it IS NOT an article of Japanese clothing (a sash or belt for securing and decorating a kimono).

On this site it is the small piece of paper included with a CD or LP usually wrapped around the left hand spine of the item. (See also promo obi.)

An obi strip is, for all intents and purposes, a disposable item.  It provides information to the seller and to the buyer (mostly in Japanese) about the item being sold. Once the item has been sold to the consumer it is basically useless (it has served its purpose).

Although not strictly ephemera (dispoable paper items such as postage stamps and cigarette and bubble gum cards), obis are collectable items in their own right.

To non-Japanese reading buyers, the dates on the obi provide an indication of when the item was made or became available.

Read more...
 

Most recent update...

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Featured Releases

Front cover (main) image of WPCR-13517 : Yes : Yessongs
WPCR-13517 : 2009-07-22

"Finally after 36 years a correct version not only printed beautifully but also opening like a book, as it should." (Roger Dean)

The first reproduction of the original UK booklet style cover (however comes on 2 not 3 CDs). Earlier releases of this (AMCY-2733 and AMCY-6293) were created in the US "accordion" style.

more images and details...

See all Featured Releases

News...

ArtistRelease IDFormatTitleRelease DateNews...

(Most of the following is based on info found online in the Papersleeve sections of CDJapan and HMV).

Pavement

BGJ-10064

Blu-spec CD

Wowee Zowee

2010-03-10

Release date changed to 2010-03-10

2010-01-13 : New release (due on 2010/02/24)

Pavement

BGJ-10065

Blu-spec CD

Brighten The Corners

2010-03-10

Release date changed to 2010-03-10

2010-01-13 : New release (due on 2010/02/24)

Helloween

UICY-94312

SHM-CD (2)

Walls Of Jericho Expanded Edition

2010-04-03

Was cancelled now will be released after all on 2010-04-03

2009-11-16 : Release date changed to 2009-12-23

2009-11-04 : New release (due on 2009/12/02)

Helloween

UICY-94314

SHM-CD

Keeper Of The Seven Keys -Part.1- Expanded Edition

2010-04-03

Was cancelled now will be released after all on 2010-04-03

2009-11-16 : Release date changed to 2009-12-23

2009-11-04 : New release (due on 2009/12/02)

Helloween

UICY-94315

SHM-CD (2)

Keeper Of The Seven Keys -Part.2- Expanded Edition

2010-04-03

Was cancelled now will be released after all on 2010-04-03

2009-11-16 : Release date changed to 2009-12-23

2009-11-04 : New release (due on 2009/12/02)

Queen

TOCP-70851

CD ( 13)

Singles Collection

2010-04-28

Release date changed to 2010-04-28

2010-01-21 : New release (due on 2010/03/24)

Newton-John, Olivia

UICY-94451

SHM-CD

Come On Over

2010-03-10

Release cancelled.

2010-01-31 : Release date changed to 2010-03-10

2010-01-21 : New release (due on 2010/03/03)

Newton-John, Olivia

UICY-94452

SHM-CD

Don't Stop Believin'

2010-03-10

Release cancelled.

2010-01-31 : Release date changed to 2010-03-10

2010-01-21 : New release (due on 2010/03/03)

Newton-John, Olivia

UICY-94453

SHM-CD

Making A Good Thing Better

2010-03-10

Release cancelled.

2010-01-31 : Release date changed to 2010-03-10

2010-01-21 : New release (due on 2010/03/03)

Newton-John, Olivia

UICY-94454

SHM-CD

Totally Hot

2010-03-10

Release cancelled.

2010-01-31 : Release date changed to 2010-03-10

2010-01-21 : New release (due on 2010/03/03)