Roots Archives Forum

Super Eight, AKA To Be A Lover.

Which pressing came first on Black Art?

Was it this one (with promotional records written on the label?):

[cover=3855,212]

That one looks the real deal to me but I cant be certain

On the label of my copy is handwritten the date (presumably when it was first bought) of:

9/10/1977

Matrix number is: ILPS 9504 which makes me wonder if it is in fact NOT an early pre-release at all and this is just written on the label as a sales aid.

On the database listing here it says the Black Swan release was 1976. Is that right? Did the Black Swan release REALLY pre-date the Black Art release?

According to " People Funny Boy " by David Katz ( God bless `im ) the Black Swan " To Be a Lover " album came out in 1977,with the matrix number of ILPS 9504.It is also stamped on the label as 1977 ( on the Black Swan LP that I have ) He says that Island`s UK and American isssues,cut in September, were called " To Be a Lover " So was the Black Art version " Super Eight " cut before September ??? Hmmm .Over to you......

If the Black Art version was also cut in Sep 77 then who-ever first bought the copy I now have was *very* quick off the mark.

I don't know if the date format written in handwriting on my copy's label is US or UK so I can't be sure if he meant 9 Oct 77 or 10 Sep 77 but either way he was in there quick!

AnorakTrev wrote:According to " People Funny Boy " by David Katz ( God bless `im ) the Black Swan " To Be a Lover " album came out in 1977,with the matrix number of ILPS 9504.It is also stamped on the label as 1977 ( on the Black Swan LP that I have ) He says that Island`s UK and American isssues,cut in September, were called " To Be a Lover " So was the Black Art version " Super Eight " cut before September ??? Hmmm .Over to you......

Hey Trevor

Reading page 270 I believe "Super Eight" came first because pre-August 1977 is being spoken about. That is DK says that release of "To Be... in UK and US was September, but the original text is talking about releases prior to that September.

The next paragraph says, for example, "...August 1977.." so although he isn't referring to "Super Eight" that is the period he is talking about.
So "Super..." must have been before or in August 1977.

If you read it again you'll see what I mean.

Now where did I put that Black Swan copy?

@ 6anbatte

Obviously you have the SECOND edition of " People..." ,but yes,I can agree with your logic.

@ Leggo

How on earth did you track down a Black Art copy of this LP ? Was it expensive ? Totally curious !!

Hey Trevor

*Sadly* I only managed to get hold of a *2006* edition! Didn't realise *reissue snobbery* had spread to books!

Yes, Leggo. More information please.

Considering that both pressing on Black Swan and Black Art have the same mat#, it's quite obvious that the first one was the Black Swan one. How Lee Perry could have numbered this LP with the exact same number as the UK original?

The only point is: does the Black Art pressing use the same stamper or does it use different stampers?

Generaly, there are very few LP first released in Jam. Most of LPs were first release in UK or US.

To me there is strictly no doubt about the several pressings of this LP. First Black Swan, secand Black Art (perhaps only feww weeks later), third the Mango on.


wareika

Hi Wareika

Thanks for that info. Good news all round.