Quick answer
To get the best from the Angel's Egg Music Collection Living In Water vinyl, treat it like any high-quality colored LP: handle it by the edges, give it a proper anti-static clean before the first play, and store it upright away from heat. The clear sky-blue pressing and restored jacket are meant to be enjoyed, not archived untouched.
Set up your turntable before the first spin
Before you drop the needle on this reissue, make sure your turntable is level and your tracking force and anti-skate are set to the cartridge manufacturer's recommendation. A misaligned cartridge can cause distortion on quiet passages, and Yoshihiro Kanno's score has plenty of those. If you are using a built-in phono stage, check that it is switched on and that your speakers are connected properly.
Clean the record and stylus properly
New vinyl often carries mold-release residue from the pressing plant. Use a carbon-fiber brush to remove surface dust, then apply a vinyl-safe cleaning fluid with a microfiber cloth or a record cleaning machine if you have one. Clean your stylus with a dry stylus brush before each side. Do not use alcohol on the record itself, as it can damage the colored vinyl over time.
Handle and play the record with care
Hold the record by its edges and label only. Colored vinyl like this clear sky-blue pressing can show fingerprints more readily than black vinyl, so keep your hands clean and dry. Lower the tonearm gently using the cueing lever rather than by hand. If you need to flip the record, stop the platter first to avoid scuffing the surface.
Store the record and jacket correctly
After each listening session, return the record to its inner sleeve and the jacket. Store the jacket vertically, like a book, in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Replace the original inner sleeve with an anti-static one if you plan to play the record often. The included fold-out color booklet should be kept inside the jacket to avoid bending.
Step-by-step listening routine
- Inspect the record before playing: Look for any warping or visible debris. A slight warp is common and usually playable, but if the stylus skips, return the record. Checkpoint: no deep scratches or excessive warp.
- Clean both sides with an anti-static brush: Hold the brush lightly against the spinning record for two rotations. This removes dust that can cause pops. Common mistake: pressing too hard, which can scratch the vinyl.
- Play side one at the correct speed: Set your turntable to 33⅓ RPM unless the label states otherwise. This pressing is a standard LP. Checkpoint: the music should sound steady, not wobbly.
- Flip and play side two: Stop the platter before flipping. Handle the record by its edges to avoid smudges. Common mistake: leaving the platter spinning while flipping, which can scuff the record.
- Clean the stylus after each session: Use a dry stylus brush to remove dust picked up during play. This prolongs both stylus and record life. Checkpoint: stylus tip looks clean under a magnifier.
- Store the record upright: Return the record to its inner sleeve and the jacket. Keep the jacket vertical on a shelf. Common mistake: stacking records horizontally, which causes warping.
About this pressing
- Angel's Egg Music Collection ～Living In Water～ OST Vinyl: Experience Yoshihiro Kanno's magical soundtrack for one of the defining OVA masterpieces of the 80s on a gorgeous clear sky-blue colored vinyl. The colored vinyl looks striking on a turntable, but it also means you should be extra careful about visible dust and fingerprints.
- Angel's Egg Music Collection ～Living In Water～ OST Vinyl: This is a reissue of the latest remastering with full jacket restoration, featuring an illustration by Yoshitaka Amano. The restored jacket art is a key part of the package, so store it properly to preserve the illustration.
- Angel's Egg Music Collection ～Living In Water～ OST Vinyl: Also included is an original fold-out color booklet with newly written liner notes (in Japanese and English) for 2025 by Yoshihiro Kanno and Hidenori... The bilingual liner notes add context to the music; keep the booklet with the record for reference while listening.
