PINK FLOYD - MASTERS OF ROCK Italy 12" Vinyl LP Album

- A Psychedelic Journey Through Pink Floyd’s Formative Years – Rare 1974 Italian Compilation

This is the Italian release of Pink Floyd's "Masters of Rock" is a 12" vinyl LP album featuring some of the band's most iconic tracks, including "Mathilda Mother", "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play", This compilation is a must-have for any Pink Floyd fan and a timeless classic in rock music history.

Pink Floyd Collectors information & Description

Pink Floyd is one of the most influential bands in the history of rock music. Their music has had a significant impact on the genre, and they have inspired countless other musicians. One of their most iconic albums is "Masters of Rock Vol 1," a compilation album released in 1974.

Pink Floyd formed in London in 1965, originally composed of Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, and Richard Wright. The band's name was inspired by two blues musicians, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. They began playing in the underground music scene, performing at clubs like the UFO Club and the Marquee Club. Their early music was heavily influenced by blues and psychedelic rock, and they quickly gained a following.

In 1967, Pink Floyd released their debut album, "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn." The album showcased Barrett's songwriting and experimental sound, featuring tracks like "Interstellar Overdrive" and "Astronomy Domine." However, Barrett's erratic behavior and drug use led to tensions within the band, and he was eventually replaced by David Gilmour in 1968.

With Gilmour on board, Pink Floyd's sound evolved to include more progressive rock elements. They released a string of critically acclaimed albums in the 1970s, including "Meddle," "The Dark Side of the Moon," and "Wish You Were Here." These albums showcased the band's intricate instrumentals, concept-driven lyrics, and innovative use of sound effects.

"Masters of Rock Vol 1" was released in 1974, in the midst of this creative peak. The album is a compilation of tracks from Pink Floyd's first four albums, showcasing their evolution from a psychedelic rock band to a progressive rock powerhouse. It features classic tracks like "See Emily Play," "Interstellar Overdrive," and "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun."

"Masters of Rock Vol 1" was an important milestone in Pink Floyd's career. It marked a transition from their early, experimental sound to the more polished, progressive rock sound that would define their later work. The album was also a commercial success, reaching number three on the UK charts and introducing Pink Floyd's music to a wider audience.

The compilation format of "Masters of Rock Vol 1" also allowed fans to experience Pink Floyd's evolution in a single album. The tracks from their early albums showcased their psychedelic roots, while the later tracks showcased their experimentation with complex song structures and themes.

 

 This album of Pink Floyd contains the hard to find tracks: "Arnold Layne", "Candy and a Current Run", "Apples and Oranges", "Paint Box", "Julia Dream" and "See Emily Play"
The producers of this album omitted to mention "Syd Barrett" as one of Pink Floyd's band members

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Acid Psych Prog Rock Music

Collector Notes / Liner Notes
  • Liner Note: Liner notes in English include a Pink Floyd Discography and Biography
Label & Catalognr:

EMI Harvest 3C 054 04299

Media Format:

12" Full-Length Vinyl LP Gramophone Record
Album weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

1974 – Made in Italy

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Members, Musicians:

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Chapter 24
  2. Mathilda Mother
  3. Arnold Layne
  4. Candy And A Current Run
  5. The Scarecrow
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Apples and Oranges
  2. It Would be So Nice
  3. Paint Box
  4. Julia Dream
  5. See Emily Play
Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of Pink Floyd's 1974 Italian LP 'Masters of Rock Vol 1', featuring large carved 3D gold lettering 'PINK FLOYD' on a textured ochre background, with a Union Jack-themed 'Masters of Rock' logo in stylized block letters near the bottom

Front cover of the rare Italian release of Pink Floyd’s 1974 compilation album “Masters of Rock Vol 1”. The design features large, deeply shadowed 3D-style lettering of the band's name, PINK FLOYD, rendered in a golden yellow, carved wood-like font. Each letter appears physically raised and slightly weathered, giving the impression of old, sculpted signage.

The background is a mottled ochre and brown texture, resembling a sandstone wall or aged parchment, adding warmth and an organic, earthy feel. In the bottom third of the cover, the stylized logo “Masters of Rock” is prominently displayed in blocky blue and red letters, wrapped in a design reminiscent of the Union Jack flag, underscoring the album’s British rock heritage.

The EMI Harvest label logo is visible in the top left corner, along with the stereo indication and catalog number, lending authenticity and identifying this as a licensed Italian pressing. The composition is minimal but bold, capturing both the early psychedelic essence and iconic presence of Pink Floyd during their transitional 1970s period.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of Pink Floyd's 1974 Italian LP 'Masters of Rock Vol 1', featuring full track listings for both sides, discography of past releases, band credits, and a printed English-language biography against a yellowish parchment-like background

Back cover of the Italian release of Pink Floyd's 1974 compilation “Masters of Rock Vol 1”. The design is printed on a matte yellow-brown background resembling aged parchment. This richly informative layout features three vertical columns of printed text in English, offering insight into the band's discography, lineup, and history.

The left column contains track listings for Side A and Side B, including titles like "Chapter 24", "Arnold Layne", and "See Emily Play". Below this is a comprehensive discography of official Pink Floyd releases up to that point, complete with catalog numbers. These include albums like Meddle, Relics, More, Obscured by Clouds, and The Dark Side of the Moon.

The center column features the album’s band member credits listed under the "Masters of Rock" logo: David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, and Richard Wright, with their respective roles. Notably, Syd Barrett is absent from the credits, although several of his songs are featured.

The right column is a biographical essay recounting Pink Floyd’s origins, Barrett’s influence, their sonic innovations, and evolution into progressive rock legends. The EMI and Harvest logos appear in the top right corner along with stereo indicators.

Close up of Side One record’s label
Close-up of the Side One record label from the 1974 Italian LP 'Masters of Rock' by Pink Floyd, issued by EMI Harvest, showing green and yellow label design with tracklist and catalog number 3C 054 - 04299

Close-up of Side One record label from the 1974 Italian release of Pink Floyd’s “Masters of Rock Vol 1”, pressed on the classic EMI Harvest label. The circular paper label features the iconic lime green and darker green color scheme, with the stylized Harvest logo on the right, shaped like a human figure in an orb.

The label contains printed black text including the band name Pink Floyd, the stereo indicator, S.I.A.E. rights society stamp, and the copyright line © 1974 EMI Records Ltd. The album title “Masters of Rock” appears in quotes at the center, followed by the complete Side One tracklist:

1. Chapter 24 – 3:37
2. Mathilda Mother – 3:04
3. Arnold Layne – 2:52
4. Candy and a Current Bun – 2:43
5. The Scarecrow – 2:07
(All credited to Syd Barrett)

The Italian catalog number 3C 054 - 04299 is printed on the right side. The outer rim includes small white print in Italian stating copyright and usage rights: “VIETATA DUPLICAZIONE – RISERVATI TUTTI I DIRITTI DEL PRODUTTORE – MADE IN ITALY.” The record spindle hole sits centered within the Harvest logo, adding a visual blend of form and function to this classic rock pressing.

Index of PINK FLOYD Masters of Rock Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery
PINK FLOYD - Masters of Rock Vol 1 (Germany) 12" Vinyl LP
PINK FLOYD - Masters of Rock Vol 1 (Germany) album front cover

EMI Harvest 1C 054-04299 / LC 1305 , , Germany

This is the German release of Pink Floyd's "Masters of Rock Vol 1" is a 12" vinyl LP album featuring some of the band's most iconic tracks, including "Mathilda Mother", "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play", This compilation is a must-have for any Pink Floyd fan and a timeless classic in rock music history.

Learn more
PINK FLOYD - Masters of Rock (Italy) 12" Vinyl LP
PINK FLOYD - Masters of Rock (Italy) album front cover

  EMI Harvest 3C 054 04299 , 1974 , Italy

This is the Italian release of Pink Floyd's "Masters of Rock" is a 12" vinyl LP album featuring some of the band's most iconic tracks, including "Mathilda Mother", "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play", This compilation is a must-have for any Pink Floyd fan and a timeless classic in rock music history.

Learn more
PINK FLOYD Main Index