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. |
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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.
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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. |
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