Jewel case with a four page booklet insert.
CD "Made in Germany". Original album released 1972.
Some copies have on the front of the jewel case, a large triangular sticker which states "MOTOWN SPECIAL *PRICE* " (then underneath is the Motown "M" Logo).
Good question, MM! I have the yellow ZD Japanese-manufactured issue, which I think I bought in 1987 or 1988 (certainly no earlier than 1987, as that was the first year that I had any CD's). I most likely bought it in Australia (as I didn't travel overseas between 1986 and 2000), and probably at an import store, but it could have been there for a year or so for all I know!
...Turns out I've picked one of these up on my travels over the last year or so... and it's the Japanese ZD prefix issue!
I've added it and linked it at the bottom of page here.
...But just as it answers the points discussed here, a new mystery hoves into view:
My disc is blue!
The copy that turns up on a discogs search, and which appears occasionally on ebay, has a yellow disc (which listers term the original release)... I can't find any mention on the net about a Japanese made blue disc: ZD72129 issue.
So it's Chicken and Egg-ery... which came first?
Is my blue disc the first issue, or the yellow one?
Hi S-R-W, I think it would still be better to have two separate entries for each catalogue number, with their respective release dates, but in the notes for WD 72610 say that initial copies were stickered copies of ZD 72129. Japan was only the country of manufacture, not the country of release, as this catalogue numbering system was only used for Europe, and also for Australia (the latter country using European-made discs with Australian printed inserts that had a printing credit in the space for the barcode).
Guys,
I've got an even better one for you. (Normally, I would just send a correction message, but seeing as this CD is being discussed, I thought this new info might be better mentioned, this way.
Firstly, just noticed that the insert & inlay sheet were printed in Germany..BUT.. the actual CD states "Made in Japan".
A sticker placed on the back of the jewel case shows the Cat. No. as WD 72610..BUT..the actual CD (and the inlay of the spine) both show a different number..ZD72129
Therefore, I think we can go with that new info and needs to be changed (but no actual release date shown anywhere on the CD etc.).
Hi MM, this WL one is actually the reissue, as WL/WD prefixes on Euro Motown releases signified mid-price, whilst ZL/ZD signified full price. According to the discography in Sharon Davis' MOTOWN: THE HISTORY, ZD 72129 was released in May 1986, and WD 72610 in December 1987 (and as the discography was compiled by Motown's then UK and international label manager, and Sharon Davis was herself a UK Motown employee, that can be taken as a reliable source). Now, to sort out Discogs, which is showing a 1993 date for this one (not possible, as Motown was with PolyGram by then).
Have amended to original date, as per correction request, and removed reissue cat number and music master image, so this entry now represents the original issue (as I understand it to be)... so the reissue should now be entered separately under the "Z-" number cat, and then linked :)
So which catalogue number version (if any) do you have? The two numbers shown in Music Master wouldn't have been used at the same time, so there should be a separate entry for each one.