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Recording almost entirely useless, from America (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

album

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'recording' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'almost entirely useless from america' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'useless' could be 'bum' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'bum' is found in the answer.
'america' could be 'a' (common abbreviation eg in USA) and 'a' is present in the answer.
A single letter 'l' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for album that I've seen before include "Pictures" , "Record with multiple tracks" , "Item of music released" , "Book of blank pages for collectables, memorabilia etc." , "Cuttings book" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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