Early pressing (pre-June 1972) label variant, with the second 'SKL-R 5052' catalog number, dark blue boxed Decca labels and '℗ 1970' at the bottom of the labels. Likely the earliest label variant with this catalogue number.
This version: '℗ 1970' at the bottom of the labels under the group's name; '-2W/-4W' matrices in the deadwax; 'Aristocrat Music' is left-justified, close to "SPEED 33 1/3" text. There is a space before the 'P' in the {ZAL.9752 P] matrices on both labels. {ZAL.9752 P} matrices are right-justified and aligned with the end of the catalogue number.
This record was never published with 'unboxed' Decca labels.
Decca had the publishing year at the bottom of the boxed labels from 1969 to 1972. It was moved to the right side of the label, by the catalogue number, around June 1972.
Blue-label UK Decca release variants currently in the database:
First Press Variants – SKL 5052 cat. no., -2W/-4W matrices, '℗ 1970' at label bottom: • 7763537 Title misprinted 'If I Had To Do It...' on rear & spine • 5894729 Correct titles on rear & spine
Pre-June 1972 Represses – SKL-R 5052 cat. no., -2W/-4W matrices, '℗ 1970' at label bottom: • [This Sub] Same label typography as 1st press except for '-R' cat. no. • 4519951 Side 1 'Aristocrat Music' has indented 'Music', {ZAL.9752P} shifts left; from now on no space before 'P' in ZAL matrices • 14814255 Side 1 'Aristocrat Music' left-justified, on Side 2 it's right-justified; {ZAL.9752P} permanently shifts to right on both sides
Circa 1972 Transitional Issues – SKL-R 5052 cat. no.: • 6849593 '℗ 1970' at bottom on Side 1, but centre-right on Side 2; both sides 'Aristocrat Music' right-justified; '-2W/-4W' matrices • 11708432 '℗ 1970' centre-right on Side 1, at bottom on Side 2; both sides 'Aristocrat Music' right-justified; new '-3W/-5W' matrices
Post-June 1972 Represses – SKL-R 5052 cat. no., '℗ 1970' centre-right: • 502118; 'Aristocrat Music' left-justified again but shifted down; no known matrix suffix • 12565829 'Aristocrat Music' now on one line; no {brackets} around ZAL matrix; no known matrix suffix
Later Reissue Labels – SKL-R 5052 cat. no.: • 3837291 and 4096660 have the same blue Decca label design but fonts have been modernized; song titles rearranged and no longer stacked one-to-a-line; '-3W/-5W' matrices on 3837291Times listed on the cover are different from the times listed on the labels. Information from the cover was entered here.
Original copies have DISTRIBUTION SONOPRESSE printed on back cover Later copies came with a sticker "Distribution Carrere" on the rear cover hiding the previous distributor.
The different versions released in France by Les Disques Motors with same catalogue number MT 44002 are as follows : - First pressing in 1970 with BIEM rights and white/pink labels - Second pressing in 1971 (?) with SACEM rights and pink labels - Third pressing (this one) in 1975 with pink/purple labels
This version is approximately 1975 / 76, the period of the Carrere distribution for the label.
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Matrix / Runout (runout side A): [AREACEM stamp] MT 4006 A [crossed] MT 44002 A
Matrix / Runout (runout side B): MT 44002 B [AREACEM stamp] MT 4006 B [crossed]