Pablo Cruise, a 1970's US Band's 1st LP made into CD in 2004 in the UK Japan owned CD Travelled the World!

 December 31, 2025

#531

Gentle reader,

Sometimes things just work out. I am in my 70th year and come from a large family. There was always music playing in the house, thus all five of us siblings love to play music and sing. 

I began my journey to build a good stereo system in 1975 after seeing and hearing my new friend Philip's system with the enormous speakers he built which had 18 inch woofers. What good is a stereo without music to play? 

This is US band Pablo Cruise's first record. It is self titled and is one of many rock albums I began buying fifty years ago. They made many albums, some of which I bought, but this, their very first has always been my go to for some "Cruising". It was never released on CD. Or, so I thought. 

This is the story of how a CD created and sold in the United Kingdom (England) that somehow made it's way all the way across Europe and Asia to Japan and found it's way more than twenty years later to a music collector/seller in Tokyo who chose to sell his wares to the entire world via eBay.

An eBay seller in Tokyo, Japan called: golgo131969 had this copy. It was released by Lemon Recordings, a UK music label in 2004. He wanted $35US for it, plus $23US for air shipping it to the United States. I had seen others selling it for much more money and they went quickly. Thus, I jumped on this one and bought it on December 20th of this year (2025). It was shipped on the 22nd in Japan and arrived in New York on Christmas day, three days later.

eBay had predicted that it would reach me around January 8, 2026. I was happy to wait, while I have Pablo Cruise's Best Of CD, I really wanted their entire first album on CD.

Today, I received an email from Uniexpress showing me photos of my house, front porch and the above package sitting atop our cat's food bowl. I realized that it had to be the CD from Japan! As you can see, it arrived in pristine condition. The bubble package is very robust and the tape is thick and strong. Bravo golgo131969!

Inside, between two layers of Japanese cardboard was the CD, which was within more bubble wrap, even a small piece in front of the CD to keep it in place during it's long:

The air distance from New York (John F. Kennedy International Airport) to Tokyo (Narita International Airport) is approximately 6,744.6 miles (10,854.4 kilometers). If flying to Haneda Airport, the distance is about 6,772.4 miles (10,899.1 kilometers). journey halfway around the world.

Remember that this CD was created in the United Kingdom. And at some point in time it journeyed from England to Japan: The flight distance from London to Tokyo is approximately 5,939 miles (9,558 kilometers). Actual travel distances may vary depending on the flight path taken.

Therefore, it has travelled during it's twenty one year life so far, at least 12,685 miles (not including from New York Customs to northern Virginia) or 20,458 kilometers. 

The CD, the case, the "liner" notes and the Cd itself are in pristine, might-as-well-be-new, condition. For which, I am very happy!

I am curious when "liner notes" first became common, Wikipedia thinks this: Liner notes began with the introduction of long-playing vinyl records (LPs) in the early 1950s, evolving from program notes for musical concerts. They became more prominent in the 1960s and 1970s, providing detailed information about the music and artists involved.

I love it when CD makers make their wares look like 45 RPM records or LPs.

The CD's playing surface is completely free of any damage.

For more on the maker of this series, this #41 0f 41 released, go here: Buy Lemon Vinyl, CD's & Box Sets - Cherry Red

CD "cover" is identical to the LP.

I am including all the liner notes for your enjoyment, for the chances of your finding one of these CDs is small.

The band is still together, much to my surprise: Pablo Cruise Band | Official Website | HOME

Below is the liner notes unfolded which recreates the back cover of the LP.

And, for comparison's sake, here is the LP's back cover:

So, fifty years after their first record hit the shelves of record stores, I finally have a digital copy of it. The funny thing is, I could make my own CD of it, but it would include fifty years worth of surface noise.

Now, perhaps you are thinking, "If you already have the record, why go to the trouble and expense of buying that CD? See below to understand:

These are my forever cars. Both have CD players AND 6-speed manual transmissions.

Both are loads of fun, having turbocharged engines and Pirelli Cinturato P7 tires, which makes for exhilarating acceleration and fantastic handling.

Had I bought them new, each would be painted red.

I bought the 2005 Volvo V50 in 2014 when it was nine years old with just over 80,000 miles on it. The other car is a 2013 Cadillac ATS Performance 2.0T (that's it's official name). We bought it in 2023, with 150,000 miles on it for $8,000.

Passive theft prevention.

I like to do research into things I am into. This is what I came up with two years ago:

Note that they both have the identical top speed of 149MPH or 239KPH.

A replica of the window sticker for the Cadillac. With turbocharging small engines, vehicles can perform as well as larger engine-equipped siblings yet still have very good fuel economy.

Okay, since I am so happy to get this CD and so quickly, I could not wait to tell you about it. I have already played it in the listening room:

And again via the stack of components I have here in our home "office". That tells you how long it takes for me to make one of these articles.

Thank you for taking the time to read this story. Feel free to comment below or via Facebook.

Scott Robb

December 31, 2025

#531

HAPPY NEW YEAR!