Category: Versions, versions

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Xmal Deutschland: ‘Incubus Succubus’ West German 12″ single (Zick Zack, ZZ 110, 1982)

Xmal Deutschland ‘Incubus Succubus’ original 12″ front sleeve design

This is the original issue of Xmal Deutschland’s single, ‘Incubus Succubus’, released in 1982 on 12″ only in West Germany. By mid-1983 Xmal were flavour of the month in the UK music press and by the autumn their then record label, the inimitable 4AD, had issued a re-recorded version in the UK, titled ‘Incubus Succubus II’ on both 7″ and 12″, with a new track, ‘Vito’, on the b-side and of course a beautiful new sleeve design.

This original 12″ however was only issued in West Germany. This original arrangement is not radically different from the more widely distributed 4AD version really, though not the same by any means – but it also has two unique b-sides, ‘Zu Zung Zu Alt’ and ‘Blut Ist Liebe’.

Xmal Deutschland ‘Incubus Succubus’ original 12″ back sleeve design

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Side by side: The Human League – ‘Being Boiled’ on Fast Product 1978/1980

An unarguable release of merit, The Human League’s debut single ‘Being Boiled/’Circus of Death’, issued to the world via Bob Last’s ‘Fast Product‘ label in 1978 and which had the likes of David Bowie proclaiming them as the future (hehehe). If you were there in the day you’d have the original issue, but being that bit behind the curve, I came across this original recording of the song (as opposed to the ‘Travelogue’ era reprogramming by the Boys of Buddah…) when it was first re-issued in 1980.

The Human League 'Being Boiled' Fast Product release sleeve design
^ The Human League ‘Being Boiled’ Fast Product release sleeve design.

1982, surely, I hear you say… as in when it was a post-‘Don’t You Want Me’ hit which prompted their then current label Virgin to cry foul and re-release their own later re-recording of the song on 45 format? Continue reading “Side by side: The Human League – ‘Being Boiled’ on Fast Product 1978/1980”

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Side by side: Associates ‘Sulk’ UK / European / US variations

If you are a fan of the Associates then ‘Sulk’ needs no introduction, being easily a high water mark for them and their particularly unique take on pop – but the variations on this release cause some confusion and probably you have a different idea of what exactly constitutes this album depending on when or where you bought it…

^ Side by side: Outer and inner sleeves of the original UK (left-hand side) and later European issues of 'Sulk' (right-hand side) on vinyl
^ Side by side: Outer and inner sleeves of the original UK (left-hand side) and later European issues of ‘Sulk’ (right-hand side) on vinyl

For me, the definitive version is the one I bought just after it came out in Britain;

‘Sulk’ (Associates/Beggars Banquet, ASCL1, vinyl LP)
Side One:

  1. Arrogance Gave Him Up
  2. No
  3. Bap De La Bap
  4. Gloomy Sunday
  5. Nude Spoons

Side Two:

  1. Skipping
  2. It’s Better This Way
  3. Party Fears Two
  4. Club Country
  5. nothinginsomethingparticular

A few notes before moving on… prior to the album’s release, ‘Party Fears Two’, ‘It’s Better This Way’ and ‘Club Country’ had all been released on singles – the versions on this album edition are all different to any from the singles. Continue reading “Side by side: Associates ‘Sulk’ UK / European / US variations”

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Bauhaus – ‘Mask’ original UK issue LP (Beggars Banquet, BEGA29, 1981)

What we have here is the original release of the second Bauhaus album, ‘Mask’, released in 1981. I say original because it was later re-released in a slightly altered sleeve and label design (presumably after the breakthrough success of the ‘Ziggy Stardust’/’Third Uncle’ single, though I don’t know that for sure). The front and back of the cover remained the same, but as you’ll spy from the accompanying photos the inner gatefold of this version features a single band photo and all text in blue. The subsequent re-issue features a spread of photos taken from the shoot for the ‘Mask’ promo video and all text is in white. Label-wise, the original came with the standard-issue Beggars Banquet labels of a 1981 vintage – the later copies had the white/black Bauhaus ‘face’ design labels.

Mask 1981 UK LP - front sleeve and original label design
^ Mask 1981 UK LP – front sleeve and original label design

View at a larger size

There have been a couple of CD re-issues in gatefold mini-LP sleeve reproductions for this album now. First to appear was the Japanese issue in 2004 (featuring the standard album tracks plus a selection of extra tracks from singles of the era) and then late in 2009 a boxed ‘Omnibus Edition’ was released – this featured the ‘Mask’ album on one CD with its original tracks only and in a reproduction gatefold sleeve, plus two additional CDs – one with singles/B sides/previously unreleased out-takes and the other with a 1981 live recording. Both the Japanese mini-LP edition and ‘Omnibus’ re-issues have used the later sleeve design for their covers as opposed to the original version featured here today. Continue reading “Bauhaus – ‘Mask’ original UK issue LP (Beggars Banquet, BEGA29, 1981)”

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‘Dreams and Desires’ tape (Pleasantly Surprised, PS006, 1984)

‘Dreams and Desires’ was one the ‘Pleasantly Surprised’ series of various artist cassette compilations that appeared throughout the first half of the ’80s, this particular example hailing from late 1984. The sleeve design clearly has a nod and a wink to the Joy Division feel of ‘Closer’, while musically the selection is something of a feast for fans of the 4AD label, with demo/instrumental versions to be found from several of the then current 4AD stable.

Cassette - 'Dreams' side
^ Cassette – ‘Dreams’ side
Cassette - 'Desires' side
^ Cassette – ‘Desires’ side

Continue reading “‘Dreams and Desires’ tape (Pleasantly Surprised, PS006, 1984)”