Malcolm, I do not think I ever met Dave Bulmer and therefore cannot argue with anything you say. However I do know several artists who do cannot get access to work they recorded back in the 70's early 80's and who would love to do so. (I don't wish to mention any names for fear of creating any backlash for them)

From a personal point of view many of my vinyl albums are, not to put too fine a point of it, knackered and if CD's were available I would happily buy them again.

If as you state there is little or no financial gain to be made from the material it would seem logical to release it back to the artists who are recorded.