most expensive records may 2020 header

The Top 30 Most Expensive Items Sold in the Discogs Marketplace for May 2020

Every month that we round up the most expensive items sold on Discogs, we see the usual suspects: Pink Floyd, The Beatles, a big release from a jazz great like Sonny Rollins or John Coltrane.

However, the May lineup is a bit more refreshing. While we still have a few of the regulars — looking at you, David Bowie and Led Zeppelin — there is a noticeably wider variety in genres. The one that caught our eye was a release from just four years ago.

Frank Ocean’s Blond on vinyl is listed starting at around $700-$900 for high-quality Near Mint and Mint conditions of this original version from XL Recordings (you can find more on the Discogs grading system here). Seeing as how some of these albums are still asking for anywhere between $1,000 and $3,3000 right now, it’s not unheard of that this piece went for $1,500. However, it’s still exciting to have a recent hip-hop release on this list.

But the real gem is the album sitting at No. 1 for May. Feelings by Jay Richford & Gary Stevan is a deep cut of 1970s Italian funky jazz. There are some less expensive repressings and reissues floating around the Marketplace, but the one we see here is an original from 1974. While it’s not the most popular record by any means, it’s definitely coveted; as of writing this piece, only 67 folks on Discogs have this pressing but 1,806 people have it on their Wantlist.

  1. Frankie And The Damons* - My Best Friend

    Frankie And The Damons – My Best Friend

    Sold for $1,500.00
    Label: The Damons
    Format: 7″
    Country: US
    Released: 1968
    Genres: Funk / Soul
    Styles: Soul

  2. Frank Ocean - Blond

    Frank Ocean – Blond

    Sold for $1,500.00
    Label: XL Recordings
    Format: 2xLP, Album, Ltd
    Country: US
    Released: 2016
    Genres: Hip Hop, Funk / Soul, Pop
    Styles: Contemporary R&B

  3. Don Rendell Ian Carr Quintet* - Shades Of Blue

    Don Rendell Ian Carr Quintet – Shades Of Blue

    Sold for $1,518.00
    Label: Columbia
    Format: LP, Album, Mono
    Country: UK
    Released: 1965
    Genres: Jazz
    Styles: Post Bop, Modal

  4. Grateful Dead* - Europe '72: The Complete Recordings

    Grateful Dead – Europe ’72: The Complete Recordings

    Sold for $1,525.00
    Label: Grateful Dead Records, Rhino Records
    Format: 73xHDCD + Box, Ltd
    Country: US
    Released: 2011
    Genres: Rock, Folk, World, & Country
    Styles: Folk Rock, Rock & Roll, Psychedelic Rock, Country Rock

  5. Little Ritchie* - Just Another Heartache

    Little Ritchie – Just Another Heartache

    Sold for $1,556.00
    Label: Sound Stage 7
    Format: 7″, Single, Mono, Promo
    Country: US
    Released: 1966
    Genres: Funk / Soul
    Styles: Soul

  6. The John Butler Trio - Sunrise Over Sea

    The John Butler Trio – Sunrise Over Sea

    Sold for $1,575.00
    Label: Jarrah Records
    Format: 2x,LP, Album, Ltd, Num, RM, Bro
    Country: Australia
    Released: 2004
    Genres: Rock
    Styles: Acoustic, Alternative Rock, Blues Rock, Folk Rock

  7. Just Brothers - Carlena

    Just Brothers – Carlena

    Sold for $1,599.00
    Label: Garrison
    Format: 7″, Single, Promo
    Country: US
    Released: 1967
    Genres: Funk / Soul
    Styles: Soul

  8. Prom - Fooled Again

    Prom – Fooled Again

    Sold for $1,666.00
    Label: New Blood
    Format: LP
    Country: Germany
    Released: 1978
    Genres: Rock
    Styles: Hard Rock

  9. Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run

    Bruce Springsteen – Born To Run

    Sold for $1,685.00
    Label: Columbia
    Format: LP, Advance, Album, Promo, Scr
    Country: US
    Released: 1975
    Genres: Rock
    Styles: Pop Rock

  10. Kaaos / Cadgers - Kytät On Natsisikoja / Kaaosta Tää Maa Kaipaa

    Kaaos / Cadgers – Kytät On Natsisikoja / Kaaosta Tää Maa Kaipaa

    Sold for $1,704.00
    Label: P. Tuotanto
    Format: 7″, EP, Num
    Country: Finland
    Released: 1981
    Genres: Rock
    Styles: Punk

  11. Venus (61) - Venus

    Venus – Venus

    Sold for $1,704.00
    Label: Not On Label
    Format: LP, Album
    Country: Germany
    Released: 1975
    Genres: Rock
    Styles: Psychedelic Rock, Prog Rock

  12. Little Tommy - I'm Still Hurt / Baby Can't You See

    Little Tommy – I’m Still Hurt / Baby Can’t You See

    Sold for $1,722.00
    Label: Sound Of Soul
    Format: 7″, Single
    Country: US
    Released: 1965
    Genres: Funk / Soul
    Styles: Soul

  13. The Sisters Of Mercy - This Corrosion

    The Sisters Of Mercy – This Corrosion

    Sold for $1,754.00
    Label: WEA
    Format: Acetate, 10″, S/Sided
    Country: Italy
    Released: 1987
    Genres: Electronic, Rock
    Styles: Goth Rock

  14. Iron Maiden - Piece Of Mind

    Iron Maiden – Piece Of Mind

    Sold for $1,800.00
    Label: EMI
    Format: LP, Album, S/Edition, Blu
    Country: Colombia
    Released: 1983
    Genres: Rock
    Styles: Heavy Metal

  15. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin

    Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin

    Sold for $1,988.00
    Label: Atlantic
    Format: LP, Album, Tur
    Country: UK
    Released: 1969
    Genres: Rock
    Styles: Blues Rock, Hard Rock

  16. Subway (22) Featuring Wave (19) - Ten Toes Up

    Subway (22) Featuring Wave (19) – Ten Toes Up

    Sold for $2,000.00
    Label: Score Records
    Format: 12″, MiniAlbum
    Country: US
    Released: 1982
    Genres: Electronic, Funk / Soul
    Styles: Funk, Boogie

  17. Christopher (33) - Christopher

    Christopher – Christopher

    Sold for $2,022.00
    Label: Metromedia Records
    Format: LP, Album, Promo
    Country: US
    Released: 1970
    Genres: Rock
    Styles: Psychedelic Rock, Acid Rock

  18. Maurice* - Maurice

    Maurice – Maurice

    Sold for $2045.00
    Label: Pleasure Records
    Format: LP, Album
    Country: US
    Released: 1976
    Genres: Funk / Soul
    Styles: Soul, Funk, Boogie

  19. Bill Fay - Time Of The Last Persecution

    Bill Fay – Time Of The Last Persecution

    Sold for $2249.00 Label: Deram
    Format: LP, Album
    Country: UK
    Released: 1971
    Genres: Rock
    Styles: Folk Rock

  20. David Bowie - Sorrow/Amsterdam

    David Bowie – Sorrow/Amsterdam

    Sold for $2,359.00
    Label: RCA Victor
    Format: 7″, Single
    Country: Mexico
    Released: 1974
    Genres: Rock, Pop
    Styles: Chanson

  21. Delaney & Bonnie - The Original Delaney And Bonnie

    Delaney & Bonnie – The Original Delaney And Bonnie

    Sold for $2,752.00
    Label: Apple Records
    Format: Acetate, LP
    Country: UK
    Released: 1969
    Genres: Rock
    Styles: Southern Rock

  22. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

    Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On

    Sold for $3,000.00
    Label: Tamla, Tamla
    Format: LP, Album, Gat
    Country: US
    Released: 1971
    Genres: Funk / Soul
    Styles: Soul

  23. AC/DC - Can I Sit Next To You, Girl

    AC/DC – Can I Sit Next To You, Girl

    Sold for $3,139.00
    Label: Albert Productions
    Format: 7″, Single, Promo, A-l
    Country: Australia
    Released: 1974
    Genres: Rock
    Styles: Hard Rock

  24. The

    The “Group”* Featuring Cecil Washington – I Don’t Like To Lose

    Sold for $3,236.00
    Label: Prophonics Studios
    Format: 7″
    Country: US
    Released: 1966
    Genres: Funk / Soul
    Styles: Soul

  25. Nick Drake - Five Leaves Left

    Nick Drake – Five Leaves Left

    Sold for $3,409.00
    Label: Island Records
    Format: LP, Album, Gat
    Country: UK
    Released: 1969
    Genres: Rock, Folk, World, & Country
    Styles: Folk Rock

  26. Michael Rabin With Leon Pommers - Mosaics

    Michael Rabin With Leon Pommers – Mosaics

    Sold for $3,527.00
    Label: Capitol Records, Capitol Records
    Format: LP, Album
    Country: UK
    Released: 1959
    Genres: Classical
    Styles: N/A

  27. Willie Tee - Teasing You Again / Your Love, My Love Together

    Willie Tee – Teasing You Again / Your Love, My Love Together

    Sold for $3,813.00
    Label: Gatur Records
    Format: 7″
    Country: US
    Released: 1972
    Genres: Funk / Soul
    Styles: Soul

  28. The Queers - Love Me

    The Queers – Love Me

    Sold for $4,000.00
    Label: Doheny Records
    Format: 7″
    Country: US
    Released: 1982
    Genres: Rock
    Styles: Punk

  29. Charlie Parker - Bird Blows The Blues

    Charlie Parker – Bird Blows The Blues

    Sold for $4,999.00
    Label: Dial Records
    Format: LP, Album, Comp
    Country: US
    Released: 1949
    Genres: Jazz
    Styles: Bop

  30. Jay Richford & Gary Stevan - Feelings

    Jay Richford & Gary Stevan – Feelings

    Sold for $5,660.00
    Label: Carosello
    Format: LP, Album
    Country: Italy
    Released: 1974
    Genres: Jazz, Funk / Soul
    Styles: Jazz-Funk, Easy Listening, Soul-Jazz, Psychedelic

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9 Comments
  • Schmeig
    Jul 27,2020 at 08:50

    So if 10 copies of RL Zeppelin 2 scratched to hell sell for $1 then the highest price goes down to $1?

  • aortomus
    Jul 26,2020 at 18:54

    Crazy on the What’s Going On LP.

    I am skeptical I the use of the term ‘original’ as this was a mega million seller will multiple pressings over the years.

    Though I dont have a sealed copy I’ve got dozens of pressings on my shelf that are impossible to tell apart by the cover alone.

    Here’s what Popsike has to say:

    https://tinyurl.com/yxom8ypx

  • DGenerated
    Jul 26,2020 at 10:31

    @rcwatson27 I strongly believe, he won’t.

  • Want_the_best_copy
    Jul 22,2020 at 23:57

    I suspect the Discogs statistics are spurious. For example, a Discogs member of staff explained to me that the statistics for the highest price a record has sold for is not necessarily the highest price that record sold for. In fact, it is the highest price of the last 10 sales. This spurious figure is incredibly misleading for buyers and sellers alike. Most of the time (assuming a reasonable turnover), the records will appear to be significantly less valuable than they actually are. Therefore, it favours buyers. This bias erroneous calculation should have been fixed, removed or relabelled long ago. This a has been like this for several years and most likely since inception with no moves to correct it. It’s is a disgraceful swindle that ought to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Furthermore, on the Discogs app, buyers cannot see that sellers allow offers. They can only see this if logged into the Discogs website on a desktop computer.

  • dkurtis
    Jul 22,2020 at 22:19

    Concerning the $3000 Marvin Gaye, someone should be asking – what’s going on.

  • curly-top
    Jul 22,2020 at 13:36

    @Swanedog It’s not the first time a seemly average record has sold for 4x of its highest historic price. It is…suspicious.

  • Swanedog
    Jul 22,2020 at 06:50

    A couple of these make me think someone is transferring money around. What is the point of paying $3k for a sealed copy of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On or $3.4k for a NM copy of Nick Drake’s Five Leaves Left when there were no notes or anything about it when these are usually $1k? Just my 2 cents.

  • rcwatson27
    Jul 21,2020 at 04:54

    I’d bet Joe Queer himself would sell his own personal copy of that Queers 7” for less than $4K. Yikes!

  • wowee80
    Jul 16,2020 at 17:15

    In recent months that David Bowie – Sorrow/Amsterdam Mexico single has been produced with a modern counterfeit cover. Most likely the case here.

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