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crapfromthepast
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| Posted: 29 August 2020 at 4:31pm | IP Logged
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Just mastering info here. No real surprises.
Stereo LP version (3:56)
I encountered four different analog transfers of the stereo LP version.
The oldest CD with the song is undoubtedly Motown's Michael Jackson and Jackson 5 collection Compact Command Performances 18 Greatest Hits (1983), which is part of Motown's very first batch of CD releases. It sounds OK here, with OK dynamic range, decent EQ, and an untruncated fade that runs out to the full length of the song. The same analog transfer is used on:- Motown's Twelve #1 Hits From The 70's (copyright 1982) - differently-EQ'd digital clone
- Motown's Jackson 5 collection Great Songs And Performances (1983) - digital clone; forgot to check level, though
- Motown's Twenty-Five #1 Hits From 25 Years Vol. 1 (1985) - digitally exactly 1.78 dB louder
- Motown's Motown's Biggest Pop Hits (1986) - digitally exactly 1.18 dB louder
- Motown's Motown 9000 Series (1987) - digitally exactly 1.58 dB louder
Next, Bill Inglot did a new analog transfer for Rhino's Billboard Top R&B Hits 1970 (1990). I think it's an improvement, with a little more dynamic range, plenty of high end (which I prefer), and also running out to the full length of the song. The same analog transfer is used on:- Time-Life's Superhits Vol. 4 1970 (1990) - hastens fade; avoid if possible
- Time-Life's AM Gold Vol. 2 1970 (1990) - this disc is a repackaging of Superhits Vol. 4 1970, which hastens fade; avoid if possible
- Time-Life's 2-CD Body Talk Vol. 13 Just The Two Of Us (1997) - digitally exactly 4 dB louder than Superhits,which hastens fade; avoid if possible
- Time-Life's Solid Gold Soul #1 Love Songs Of The '70s (2000) - digitally exactly 6.13 dB louder than Superhits,which hastens fade; avoid if possible
Next, there's a new analog transfer on Motown's 2-CD Jackson 5 anthology Anthology (1995), which sounds just fine. The same analog transfer is used on:- Reader's Digest's 4-CD Time In A Bottle Disc (2006)
Finally, there's a new analog transfer on Motown's Jackson 5 collection Soulsation! 25th Anniversary Collection (1995), where it's mastered a little too loud, and clips a lot. It also runs a second or two shorter than the above discs. There's a digital clone on:- Motown's Jackson 5 collection Ultimate Collection (1996)
Mono 45 version (3:43)
I have the mono 45 version on just one disc, and it's one of the very best collections of pop that's ever been released:
Motown's 4-CD Hitsville USA Vol. 1 (1992)
Heartily recommended. I doubt that there are any other analog transfers out there, and I doubt that anything could sound better than Hitsville.
My recommendations
For the stereo LP version, I (predictably) chose Rhino's Billboard Top R&B Hits 1970 (1990). The sound on the Rhino Billboard discs just can't be beat.
For the mono 45 version, go with Motown's Hitsville USA Vol. 1 (1992), which really has no peer in the world of label-centric compilations. This CD set is the gold standard for all future box sets.
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PopArchivist
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| Posted: 29 August 2020 at 4:53pm | IP Logged
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Ron,
A classic in it's own right. I personally go with the mono, as you correctly pointed out off the superior Motown Hitsville USA set.
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LunarLaugh
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| Posted: 03 July 2023 at 7:47pm | IP Logged
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The mono fade can't be exactly duplicated using the stereo LP mix since the lead vocal is
noticeably different on the mono fade. If you line up the two mixes and attempt to copy the
fadeout, Michael sings "...if you should ever, I'll be there..." on the mono but on the stereo mix
the line is still "...just call my name, I'll Be there...".
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Topic: Jackson 5 - I’ll Be There
