Tracklist Summary (Vinyl Edition)
The vinyl edition typically features a curated 12-track selection from the larger CD/Digital tracklist to ensure optimal audio fidelity: | Side A | Side B | | :--- | :--- | | 1. The Change | 1. Holding Back | | 2. Everyday | 2. Are You Alone | | 3. Come Get To This (feat. Eddie M) | 3. Never Gonna Waste It (feat. Eddie M) | | 4. I Can't Find A Way | 4. Easy To Love | | 5. It's So Nice (Kzo Mix) | 5. Wait On You | | 6. When I'm Around You | 6. Have We Moved |
Collectors' Value & Appeal
1. Modern Soul "Instant Classic"
Cornell CC Carter is one of the few modern artists whose new releases are treated with the same reverence as 70s and 80s classics by the UK soul community. This LP is valued because it represents the "State of the Art" in soulful R&B—mixing the sophisticated production of the 80s with 21st-century clarity.
2. High-Fidelity Mastering
Expansion Records is known for its "Vinyl First" approach. XELP71 was specifically praised for its clean pressing and lack of background noise. For collectors, owning the vinyl isn't just about the physical object; it's the only way to hear the warmth of tracks like "Are You Alone" (which echoes the style of Bobby Womack) in an analog format.
3. Scarcity and Market Price (2026 Context)
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Retail Price: Originally sold for approximately £23.00 – £26.00.
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Current Resale Value: Since the initial 2024 pressing, the LP has become a steady seller. In 2026, Mint/Unopened copies are currently trading between $35 and $50 (£28–£40).
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Long-term Outlook: Carter’s previous albums, such as Vindicated Soul and Absoulutely, have become highly sought-after collector items once they went out of print. XELP71 is following the same trajectory; it is an "anchor" record for any modern soul collection.
Why it belongs in a collection
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The Marvin Gaye Connection: His cover of "Come Get To This" features Eddie M (saxophonist for Prince and Sheila E), making it a high-value track for jazz-funk and Prince enthusiasts.
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Genre-Blending: The album moves seamlessly between "steppers" (mid-tempo dance tracks), deep ballads, and 80s-inspired boogie.
Summary
XELP71 is an essential purchase for collectors who value new soul with an old-school heartbeat. It is arguably Cornell CC Carter's most personal and refined work to date.
SIDE A
- The Change (3:42)
- Everyday (4:18)
- Come Get To This (3:39)
- I Can't Find A Way (4:56)
- It's So Nice (KZO Mix) (4:22)
- When I'm Around You (3:27)
SIDE B
- Holding Back (4:34)
- Are You Alone (3:58)
- Never Gonna Waste It (4:23)
- Sometimes (4:24)
- Easy To Love (3:50)
- Wait On You (4:56)
- Have We Moved (4:21)
(CD has bonus tracks)