#1 · 1968
This debut album connects jazz-funk with psychedelic rock, blending rich orchestration with intense rhythm sections.
7 tracksStereoJazz-Funk, Psychedelic RockCapitol Records
Artist page · 05/07/2026
David Axelrod
David Axelrod, born April 17, 1931, in Los Angeles, was a composer, arranger, and producer spanning jazz, folk-rock, psychedelic, and funk genres from the late 1960s through the 1970s.
9Albums on Vinyles.com
164Discogs releases
197kLast.fm listeners
About
David Axelrod, American baroque pop composer blending jazz, funk, and psychedelic rock.
Key albums from 1968-1974 on Capitol and Fantasy labels — original US pressings tracked with prices above €160.
David Axelrod emerged from Los Angeles with a style fusing jazz, rock, and soul influences through elaborate arrangements and baroque pop sensibilities. His early work in the studios led to collaborations as producer and arranger, before releasing landmark albums characterized by orchestral textures and thematic cohesion. Axelrod's catalog includes poignant social and environmental themes, reflected in albums like Earth Rot (1970). His records have been rediscovered for their rich production and sampled extensively in hip hop.
Vinyles.com catalogs 12 David Axelrod vinyl releases ranging across jazz, psychedelic rock, funk, and ambient, featuring reissues and original pressings issued by Capitol, Fantasy, and other labels.
Discography
David Axelrod — Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Champion Productions · 2006Live Royal Festival Hall
Studio
Mo Wax · 2001David Axelrod
Studio
Liberty · 1995The Big Country
Studio
Liberty · 1993Requiem - The Holocaust
Studio
MCA Records · 1980Marchin'
Studio
MCA Records · 1977Strange Ladies
Studio
Polydor · 1975Seriously Deep
Studio
Fantasy · 1974Heavy Axe
Studio
Decca · 1972The Auction
Studio
Capitol Records · 1970Earth Rot
Studio
Capitol Records · 1969Songs Of Experience
Studio
Capitol Records · 1968Song Of Innocence
Studio
Studio album
Live / EP
Playlist
Signature tracks
The tracks that sum up David Axelrod's career.
01
Holy Thursday
Song Of Innocence · 1968
02
The Smile
Song Of Innocence · 1968
03
The Human Abstract
Songs Of Experience · 1969
04
Song of Innocence
Song Of Innocence · 1968
05
Urizen
Song Of Innocence · 1968
06
The Mental Traveler
Song Of Innocence · 1968
07
The Fly
Songs Of Experience · 1969
08
A Dream
Song Of Innocence · 1968
The essentials
The 3 David Axelrod albums you absolutely need
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
#2 · 1969
A thematic follow-up featuring folk rock, symphonic elements and jazz fusion; explores William Blake's poetry through music.
8 tracksStereoJazz-Rock, Symphonic RockCapitol Records
#3 · 1970
A concept album addressing environmental issues with orchestral and psychedelic rock textures, notable for its ambitious scope.
9 tracksStereoPsychedelic RockCapitol Records
Go further
Artists similar to David Axelrod
Artists who share part of David Axelrod's musical DNA.
Collectors
For vinyl die-hards
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
Market values (source: Discogs)
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Heavy Axe
Market position
i
Min price 160 €Max price 160 €
Average price
160,00 €
Only 1 copies for sale on Discogs
1 444 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
The Auction
Market position
i
Min price 17 €Max price 49 €
Average price
21,74 €
Only 23 copies for sale on Discogs
1 038 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Earth Rot
Market position
i
Min price 181 €Max price 300 €
Average price
212,50 €
Only 7 copies for sale on Discogs
1 632 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Songs Of Experience
Market position
i
Min price 103 €Max price 103 €
Average price
103,31 €
Only 3 copies for sale on Discogs
2 361 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Song Of Innocence
Market position
i
Min price 196 €Max price 217 €
Average price
206,19 €
Only 15 copies for sale on Discogs
3 112 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Live Royal Festival Hall
Market position
i
Min price 23 €Max price 23 €
Average price
23,46 €
Only 9 copies for sale on Discogs
26 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Notable pressings & editions
i
The “Why this rarity” column comes from our upstream sourcing work: for each album, we explain what makes this pressing sought after by collectors (limited run, specific matrix, withdrawn edition…).
Face B
Side B: the hidden stories of David Axelrod
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
I produce music that involves classical arrangements and jazz fused with contemporary moods.— David Axelrod
01Pressing
Original US pressing of Earth Rot holds strong collector interest
The original 1970 US Capitol Records LP SKAO-456 pressings of Earth Rot have a want-to-have ratio of approximately 3.3:1 with prices ranging up to €300 for rare copies.
02Studio Production
Axelrod's Earth Rot explores environmental themes
In 1970, Axelrod released Earth Rot, a concept album intertwining orchestral arrangements and psychedelic rock to denounce pollution and environmental degradation.
03Pressing
Heavy Axe original US pressing commands high prices
The 1974 Fantasy label LP F-9456 pressing of Heavy Axe is a sought-after original US pressing with a single copy currently for sale at €160 and a want to have ratio of 2.6:1 among collectors.
04Pressing
The Auction album released on MCA Records with Japanese pressings
The Auction (1972) saw multiple pressings including Japanese promos and stereo LPs on MCA Records with catalog number MCA-5136, valued in collector markets around €20-50 with varying availability.
Records by David Axelrod
See all
FAQ
FAQ: David Axelrod on physical formats
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
Who was David Axelrod and what genres did he work in?
David Axelrod was an American composer, arranger, and producer known for jazz, funk, psychedelic rock, and baroque pop from the late 1960s to the 1970s.
Which are the key albums of David Axelrod on vinyl?
Essential vinyl albums by David Axelrod include 'Song Of Innocence' (1968), 'Songs Of Experience' (1969), and 'Earth Rot' (1970), released mainly on Capitol Records.
What formats are Axelrod's vinyl albums typically issued in?
His albums are typically issued as vinyl LPs in stereo with some releases also appearing as promos or reissues on various labels including Capitol and Fantasy.
How does the vinyl market value Axelrod's pressings?
Original US pressings like 'Earth Rot' and 'Heavy Axe' command prices from approximately €160 up to €300 depending on condition and rarity.
Are there notable pressings of David Axelrod's albums in Japan?
Yes, 'The Auction' was pressed in Japan as a promo and stereo LP, catalog number MCA-5136, and is tracked in collector markets.
Where was David Axelrod based and where were his albums produced?
He was born and active in Los Angeles, where much of his production and studio work took place.
What are popular tracks by David Axelrod for vinyl enthusiasts?
Popular tracks include 'Holy Thursday', 'The Smile', 'The Human Abstract', and 'Song Of Innocence', favored for their mix of jazz and psychedelic elements.
How are David Axelrod's albums connected to William Blake?
'Song Of Innocence' and 'Songs Of Experience' are inspired by William Blake's poetry, reflected in their thematic and lyrical content within the music.
Transparency
Sources & method
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
- Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 05/07/2026