Roots Archives Forum

Does a mono mix of this set exist on LP? I thought it was just my UK press with the annoying stereo mix but it seems at least some JA issues are stereo too. The problem with the UK press is that the right channel is straight vocals, without any instrumentation except the little bit that bled into the vocal booth. Perhaps the JA stereo mix is less extreme with channel separation?

According to Rob Chapman's excellent Downbeat Special Album Discography there are four presses of this lp . " A UK " Peckings " issue , split stereo .. US remix in mono ( with syndrum overdubs ) ... and a JA issue , very poor pressing ... "

Btw , this booklet is well worth getting imho.

Thanks AnorakTrev! It sounds like all pressings are a bit flawed then. It would be great to see a proper MONO reissue like the Studio One LPs Heartbeat was putting out a while back. I recall reading their licensing agreement expired, however. Hopefully I'm mistaken.

I wasn't familiar with the Downbeat LP booklet. Surprisingly, it is still available here: http://www.downbeat-special.co.uk/books.html. I'm not a huge Studio One nut but I'll probably grab a copy. Thanks for the tip!

More than anything the discography lets you know , when used in conjunction with the website via matrix numbers and added information , which releases to aim for , and which ones that have been remixed , state of the pressing etc.

AnorakTrev wrote:...US remix in mono ( with syndrum overdubs ) ... and a JA issue , very poor pressing ... "

AnorakTrev, I don't have the Chapman info but maybe you can help out with this one.

I have an issue of this LP with the matrix number "PSOL 003A / PSOL 003B". Nothing too revealing about the label, it's your standard white background, black printing.

Can't be for certain but I think I bought this LP in Jamaica back around 1994. There are no pressing problems and I don't hear any blatant syndrum overdubs. But I'm not a syndrum expert so they could be in there. Do you know if the syndrums really stand out in the mix?

Ok, thanks for any help IDing this pressing.

Billy Boom, there is the benefit of that mono press though... you can mix your own 'dub' LP with it right?

@ versionside

PSOL 003 is as the Peckings issue ( PSOL 001 ) , in split stereo .

AnorakTrev wrote:@ versionside

PSOL 003 is as the Peckings issue ( PSOL 001 ) , in split stereo .

I'm such a moron. Forgot to mention that the issue I have of this LP is not split stereo. Maybe 'they'? took the Peckings issue and did a mono mix?

And I discovered that I did buy this at Randy's in 1994, if that means anything.

@ versionside

Perhaps an e-mail to Downbeat Special might clear up your pressing mystery ?