(Probably just added The Upsetters name on the front so the target audience would know what it was).
Added my scans as requested, more as a "For what it's worth" exercise than anything, as my front cover is a bit scuffed, and I'm not sure it's any great improvement.
I saw also the bottom right details on the back that isn't on the other scan here, and my labels, on closer inspection, have EMI rim text added...
(B side label is torn... sorry about that, but for 50p, I won't grumble! :)
The matrices on mine are:
A: ILPS 9392 A - 3
B: ILPS 9392 B - 2
No "EG" or anything else after the matrix numbers on either side, but stampers are:
A: "I" at 3 , and "1" at 9
B: "L" at 3, and "1" at 9
So a lot earlier in the scheme of things than I'd thought (might mean that the un-EMI-ed sleeves and labels are scarcer than anyone had imagined, if it was changed so early (?).
The only other thing I have to offer as a potential source of dating my copy is that it has an Island albums advertising inner sleeve (black card, photos of albums (5 x 5 = 25 each side), rounded edges and a thumb notch at top.
didn't upload this as I didn't know if it could be thought of as specific to this title, or too general to Island releases to be worth including on this album's page.
MM, spine and labels have simply "Max Romeo", so I stuck with that. And please show us that EMI back (and perhaps your front is cleaner than mine, so we could replace that nasty beer stained one, if all else is identical)
Mine is "Manufactured and distributed by Island Records Ltd. 22 St. Peter's Square, London W6". Also around with EMI for this, with most likely stamped matrices. This here deadwax (scribed)
A: I - 2 ILPS 9392 A1 EG
B: I - 10 ILPS 9392 B1 EG
There might be stamper numbers, but could also be simply scratches.
Along with it's R.S. 2-77 innersleeve all this indicates an early repress from 77.
Hi Janie, I sort of see where you're coming from, but I don't particularly agree. My concern is that the Island discographies for Austria and/or Germany could potentially be incomplete if we don't document a catalogue number that was allocated by Ariola for "release" in those countries. Similarly, a lot of the more "marginal" releases (mostly jazz, blues, reggae, world music, etc.) distributed by Festival in Australia were US or UK imports to which Festival added a sticker showing their catalogue number, and these releases were then listed in their catalogues in pretty much the same way as Australian-pressed albums, and available for sale or order in any Australian record store (i.e. not confined to import specialists). Ariola seem to have been doing the same thing here. Another example - somewhere I have an 80's Motown compilation pressed by RCA in Germany for pan-European distribution, with a catalogue number in the ZL/WL 72000 series, but copies available in the UK (including mine) were stickered with an STMS 5000 series catalogue number, fitting into that UK mid-priced reissue series. Again, if we don't document that, the UK Motown discography could be incomplete. I think we need to look primarily at the intended market of a particular pressing, and less at where it was manufactured. If the intended market cannot be established, perhaps then it can be listed under its country of manufacture, and the "Export Issue" tag added, along with the new catalogue number.
Phil,
I think this was discussed, but not decided upon, for other releases as well. My view is, if it is only stickered, than it is the original country's release. First, stickers can be removed, second, what about stuff applied to shrink wrappings? We do not intend to replicate distribution catalogues here, hopefully.
Hi Janie, I just wonder whether you should make this an Austria or Germany release, despite the UK pressing? That number on the sticker looks like an Ariola catalogue number and price code, and I know that Ariola distributed Island in Austria and Germany (and probably a couple of other countries) for a while.