Thought I’d compile some descriptions/rundowns/observations of the general packaging/notation for the Analogue Productions vinyl reissues (First five mono editions for now, it will be sometime before I get the stereo editions).
The intent is to provide a nuts and bolts preview for interested purchasers or some specifics for comparative or trainspotting purposes in one spot (as a lot of this stuff is already out there). Corrections invited.
A/P = Analogue Productions.
Shrink wrap packagingTears very or too easily along perforation at top of LP (So if you want to keep these sealed, don’t even handle the top edge).
Sticker 1
The Analogue Productions quality guarantee lists five compelling elements (summarised by me) - Original Master tapes, we only use ‘em and work with the best mastering cats; Quality Record Pressings, plated and pressed by the lords; Unmatched QC, meticulous test pressing evaluation (attention, bgas) and quality control; Deluxe Packaging, HQ jackets and rice paper (yum) inner sleeves; Limited Edition - Out of Print, less than 1,000 records per stamper.
Sticker 2 (below sticker one)
Quality Records Pressing logo sticker.
CoverHeight/width around 45cms x 45cms
Depth at the Spine (thickness) is approx 4 millimeters
Spine notation from top to bottom runs:
Analogue Productions catalogue number code - e.g: APP XXXM (or S for Stereo). (Sequences for these 5 editions is from 058 onwards)
ALBUM NAME
A black dot/separator
ANALOGUE PRODUCTIONS
The cover artwork seems to have been printed separately then attached/pasted to the cardboard (I could be wrong) by folding down from the front to the back, spine first, then top and bottom tabs, with the printed cover sort of pasted onto the back. I'll have to go and rewatch the A/P vids.
Front Cover
Top Right reads: File under: The Beach Boys . Vocal Group, Surfing Music, Car Songs (depending on which LP); the black tab/finger guide (whatever that’s called, anyone?) Then the Capitol catalogue code - e.g., T 1981
Back cover
Top right:
Capitol catalogue code
Capitol Recordings HIGH FIDELITY RECORDING block, in black curved edge border
Analogue Productions Logo and Quality Record Pressings logo
The RIAA logo does not feature on all editions. Next to the “This monophonic microgroove….” block, AP have retained the factory print code indicator on Surfer Girl (6).
The very last line of notation from left to right reads:
Originally released in 196(X). c 2014 Capitol Records, LLC. Manufactured by Universal Music Enterprises, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. 2220 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404. B0019454-01.
To the far right of this block is the Universal Music Special Markets logo.
Inner packagingAnalogue Productions Acoustic Sounds 6 page fold out selected (targeted) catalogue listing and promo blurbs.
4 page fold out featuring a photo from the Surfin’ Safari front cover photo shoot. *This item is likely specific to the mono collection, and the story focus's on the earlier years*
Page 2 - Liner notes written by David Clouston and Marc Sheforgen
The Beach Boys
A reissue series to rival any other. Finally one of the most important bands in history is presented in ultimate quality.
“These are the best sound and best looking versions…” quote by Chad Kassem, the king of A/P
A section entitled why mono telling how A/P weren’t initially interested in rereleasing the mono reasoning all of those beautiful harmonies panned across a wide sound stage, texture, nuance-arama was the way to go, oh and A/P wasn't familiar with these mono things (Man…
) - Until some the Beach Boys band members opened A/P’s eyes to the mono mixes; with can openers I hope.
Anyway, below these sections are photos of tape boxes for Surfer Girl, Surfin’ Safari, Sunflower (side 1). Note these tapes have been High Def archived!
page 3 - “The story”
Cliff notes - The BB’s are renowned for their distinctive unmistakable vocals, 2nd only to the Beatles re Top 40 impact. Macca has said Pepper’s was an attempt to address Pet Sounds. 3 brothers, a cousin, a friend who left for a bit, David Marks replaced Al. Brian’s undisputed genius for you know what was complemented by the talented others over the years, also Bruce joined later and they reached lofty chart heights. It all started in ’51, Brian sang 10 year old Mike’s Old Soldier song, blah blah, a mention of Sunflower and Holland, no regurgitation of Murry’s tough love (he does get a mention), the Smile saga, or the drug related issues deterioration stories.
Production notesMastered by Kevin Gray at COHERENT AUDIO, most from the original master tapes, or best sources available
200g vinyl/plated by Gary Salstrom at Quality Record Pressings
Audio Production - Mark Linett
Archive and Research - Alan Boyd
Producer, Chad Kassem; Product Manager, Brent Briggs; Research Consultant, Alan Boyd; Design, James Wolf; A&R Supervision, Matt D’Amico; Audio Consultant, Mark Linett; Liner notes (as above)
Back page is an ad for the whole reissue series.
Nearly there.
LP Inner labelCapitol Rainbow style, logos and blurbs as mentioned on the front covers.
Matrix markings, from (err) left (i.e., first marking to last in a clockwork direction): label number+side (hand scribed), KMG (hand scribed), CA (hand scribed), QRP (some kind of block stamp), KEVIN GRAY (typeset/block stamp).