- Release from the Netherlands
This album "Relics" is a compilation album of early "Pink Floyd" recordings and is most noted for its inclusion of Syd Barrett-era hit singles, "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play", as well as B-sides to three other singles. It also includes a previously-unreleased, studio recording of a Roger Waters composition, "Biding My Time", which had otherwise only been heard by live audiences as part of "The Man/The Journey" concert sequence.
Pink Floyd, an iconic band in the realm of progressive and psychedelic rock, left an indelible mark with their 1971 compilation album, "Relics." This article delves into the fascinating history of the creation of the album and its unique journey as a 12" vinyl LP in the Netherlands.
The Genesis of "Relics":
"Relics" emerged as a collection of Pink Floyd's early singles, B-sides, and unreleased tracks, providing fans with a captivating glimpse into the band's experimental evolution. Released in May 1971, the album showcased the band's musical prowess and innovation, becoming a must-have for enthusiasts.
The Dutch Connection:
The Netherlands played a distinctive role in the vinyl legacy of "Relics." The 12" LP format was a significant departure from the standard releases, catering to audiophiles who sought a richer, more immersive sonic experience. This format, adorned with unique cover art, captured the essence of Pink Floyd's avant-garde spirit.
Making of the Album:
The album's tracks were carefully curated, featuring classics like "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play." The meticulous production, coupled with the band's experimental soundscapes, contributed to the album's timeless allure. Pink Floyd's collaboration with renowned artists, such as drummer Nick Mason and guitarist David Gilmour, solidified "Relics" as a masterpiece.
The Vinyl Experience:
The 12" vinyl LP format in the Netherlands offered a tactile experience for music enthusiasts. With its larger-than-life cover art and the warm, analog sound quality, the Dutch edition of "Relics" became a prized possession among collectors and fans alike.
Prog, AcidPsych Rock
Emidisc – 5C 048-5074
Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram
1971 Made in Netherlands for European distribution
This album includes the original Emidisc Yellow/Orange inner sleeve.
Norman Smith - Producer
Nick Mason - Album Cover Design
David Gilmour is the voice-and-fingers combo I hear whenever Pink Floyd turns from “spacey” into straight-up cinematic: he joined in 1967 and basically helped define what “guitar tone with emotions” even means. Read more...
David Gilmour is, for me, the calm center of Pink Floyd’s storm: an English guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose playing can feel gentle and devastating in the same bar. His earliest band period worth name-dropping is Jokers Wild (1964–1967), before he stepped into Pink Floyd in 1967 as Syd Barrett’s situation unraveled. From there his main performing era is Pink Floyd (1967–1995), including the post-Roger Waters years where the band continued under his leadership and released "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" (1987) and "The Division Bell" (1994), with a later studio coda in "The Endless River" (2014). Outside Floyd, he’s had a long solo run (1978–present) with albums ranging from "David Gilmour" (1978) to "Luck and Strange" (2024), and he even did a sharp side-quest in 1985 with Pete Townshend’s short-lived supergroup Deep End. And for one historic night, the classic lineup reunited at Live 8 in Hyde Park, London on 2 July 2005—one of those “you had to be there (or at least press play)” moments.
Nick Mason is the steady heartbeat I always come back to in Pink Floyd: the only constant member since the band formed in 1965, quietly holding the whole weird universe together while the rest of the planet argues about everything else. Read more...
Nick Mason is Pink Floyd’s drummer, co-founder, and the one guy who never clocked out: his main performing period with Pink Floyd runs from 1965 to the present, and he’s the only member to appear across every Pink Floyd album. Outside the mothership, he’s had a very “I’m not done yet” second act: in 2018 he formed Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets (2018–present) to bring the band’s early psychedelic years back to the stage. He’s also stepped out under his own name with projects like the solo album "Nick Mason’s Fictitious Sports" (released 1981), which is basically him taking a left turn into jazz-rock just to prove he can. And yes, he was part of that blink-and-you-miss-it full-band moment at Live 8 in London in 2005, when the classic lineup briefly reunited and reminded everyone why this band still haunts people.
Richard Wright is the secret atmosphere machine in Pink Floyd: the guy who can make one chord feel like a whole weather system, and then casually add a vocal harmony that makes it hit even harder. Read more...
Richard Wright (born Richard William Wright) is, for me, the understated genius of Pink Floyd: co-founder, keyboardist, and occasional lead vocalist whose textures are basically baked into the band’s DNA. His main performing period with Pink Floyd runs from 1965 to 1981 (including the early albums through the massive arena years), then he returned as a full member again from 1987 to 1994 for the later era tours and albums. In between those chapters, he didn’t just vanish into a fog machine: he released a solo album, "Wet Dream" (1978), and later "Broken China" (1996), and he also had a proper side-project moment with Zee (1983–1984), which produced the album "Identity" (1984). He passed away in 2008, but his playing still feels like the part of Pink Floyd that makes the air shimmer.
Roger Waters is the guy I blame (politely) when a Pink Floyd song stops being “spacey vibes” and starts staring straight through you with lyrics that feel like a courtroom cross-examination. Read more...
Roger Waters is, to my ears, Pink Floyd’s razor-edged storyteller: bassist, singer, and the main lyric engine who pushed the band from psychedelic drift into big, human-scale themes. His key band period is Pink Floyd (1965–1985), where he became the dominant writer through the 1970s and early 1980s, before leaving and launching a long solo career (1984–present). After years of public tension, he briefly reunited with Pink Floyd for a one-off performance at Live 8 in London on 2 July 2005—basically the musical equivalent of spotting a comet: rare, bright, and gone again. Since the late 1990s he’s toured extensively under his own name, staging huge concept-driven shows that revisit Floyd classics like "The Dark Side of the Moon" (notably on the 2006–2008 tour) and "The Wall" (2010–2013), because apparently subtlety is not the point when you’ve got something to say.
Syd Barrett is the original Pink Floyd spark plug I always think of when the music sounds like it was beamed in from a kinder, stranger universe—he co-founded the band in 1965 and shaped their early psychedelic identity before everything went sideways. Read more...
Syd Barrett (born Roger Keith Barrett) is, to me, the “before” and “after” line in Pink Floyd history: the frontman, guitarist, and main songwriter in the band’s formative years, then the haunting absence everyone kept orbiting. His key band period is Pink Floyd (1965–1968), where his songs and playing defined the early sound and led to the debut album era, before his departure in 1968. After that, he had a short, intense solo period (1968–1974), highlighted by the albums "The Madcap Laughs" (released 1970) and "Barrett" (released 1970), after which he largely withdrew from the music world. It’s a brutally brief career arc for someone so influential, which is exactly why his shadow still feels weirdly present whenever early Floyd comes on.
Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone )
EMI 1A 022-58103 , 1980 , EEC
Pink Floyd's "Relics," a 1980 European release on the EMI "Music For Pleasure Record Label," encapsulates the band's early brilliance. Highlighting Syd Barrett-era hits like "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play," it unveils a previously-unreleased gem, "Biding My Time" by Roger Waters. Recognizable by the "MFP" logo, gradient purple background, and "MADE IN EEC" inscription, this vinyl LP, with Nick Mason's artwork, stands as a timeless relic, offering a sonic journey through Pink Floyd's formative years.
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Music For Pleasure MFP 50397 , 1971 , England
Pink Floyd's "Relics," a 1971 release from England, encapsulates the band's Syd Barrett era with hits like "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play." The album, adorned with distinctive purple typography, is a collector's gem. Noteworthy for its unreleased track, "Biding My Time," and identifiable by the Music For Pleasure label with red and black background, this vintage vinyl, cataloged as MFP 50397, is a sonic and visual journey through Pink Floyd's evolution.
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Emidisc 2C 048-50.740 , 1971 , France
Pink Floyd's "Relics" French 2nd EMIDISC 12" Vinyl LP Album is a collector's gem, distinguished by its red and blue "Boxed" title and striking yellow-and-black EMIDISC label. Released in 1971, this compilation of iconic tracks encapsulates the band's evolution. With its unique design and historical context, this edition is a sought-after treasure, showcasing Pink Floyd's enduring influence on music and its timeless appeal to enthusiasts and collectors.
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Emidisc – 1 C 048-50 740 L , 1971 , France Export Edition
Pink Floyd's "Relics," a 1971 compilation album, is a collector's gem made in France for German distribution. The album cover, adorned with the iconic band name and catalog number, exudes aesthetic charm. The back cover reveals unique features, including distribution details. The vinyl's label, a visual delight in Black/Yellow(Orangish), bears the GEMA rights society stamp. Matrix and run-out codes authenticate its origin, making "Relics" a timeless piece in the musical tapestry of the early 1970s.
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Emidisc 1C 048-50 740 , 1971 , Germany
Pink Floyd's "Relics" 12" Vinyl LP, a genuine 1st German release, stands as a collector's gem. Marked by unique identifiers like catalog numbers and distinctive labels, it encapsulates the band's early years, featuring Syd Barrett-era hits and rare studio recordings. With iconic producers and Mason's artwork, "Relics" is a timeless testament to Pink Floyd's musical evolution, cherished by fans as a captivating relic from a pivotal period.
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Harvest 1C 048-50 740 , 1971 , EEC Export Edition
Pink Floyd's 1971 "Relics" 12" vinyl, crafted for distribution in Germany, compiles Syd Barrett-era hits like "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play," alongside rare B-sides. The album unveils a previously-unreleased studio recording of Roger Waters' "Biding My Time." Producers Joe Boyd and Norman Smith, along with Nick Mason's artwork, contribute to the album's allure. Collectors value specific identifiers, such as catalognr 1C 048-50 740 and the "MADE IN EEC" label, making it a prized piece in Pink Floyd's discography.
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Starline SRS 5071 , , Gt Britain
Pink Floyd's "Relics," an original 1967 UK pressing on Starline, epitomizes the band's early experimental sound. Produced by Norman Smith and Joe Boyd, with Nick Mason's artwork, it's a sonic time capsule showcasing their evolution. The blue label, black lettering, and "Made in Gt Britain" stamp near 3 o'clock add vintage authenticity. Cataloged as Starline SRS 5071, this compilation remains a pivotal artifact in Pink Floyd's musical journey.
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Emidisc – 5C 048-5074 , 1971 , Netherlands
This album "Relics" is a compilation album of early "Pink Floyd" recordings and is most noted for its inclusion of Syd Barrett-era hit singles, "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play", as well as B-sides to three other singles. It also includes a previously-unreleased, studio recording of a Roger Waters composition, "Biding My Time", which had otherwise only been heard by live audiences as part of "The Man/The Journey" concert sequence.
Learn more