The Upsetters – Super Ape

After listening through my copy of this pressing and digging for audio comparisons, I've concluded that this is a poor release. Putting aside the lo-fi nature of the original recording, this MOV pressing suffers from a degree of murkiness and damaged sound that isn't found on the earlier releases of Super Ape. It's also cut quiet and inconsistent in volume across the tracks, getting increasingly quiet across Side 1 and fluctuating across Side 2.

As has been noted, this pressing appears to be taken from the Ape-Ology version, and several common tracks on Ape-Ology suffer the same audio issues as with this MOV pressing: Curly Dub and Three In One in particular are overly murky and damaged-sounding comparative to other tracks. Further, by listening to needle drops on the Back To Black release and another person's copy of this MOV pressing, I've confirmed that 1.) the MOV pressing sounds worse for the reasons above, and 2.) it's not just my copy of this MOV pressing that sounds this way. In addition to the two tracks noted above, Patience Dub also suffers terribly in comparison.

My copy also has black smears on both sides, including on Patience Dub. My understanding is the streaks are a result of the dye breaking down, which shouldn't effect audio quality. I do, however, note some bad surface noise toward the end of this track, as well as some nasty pops elsewhere on the pressing. Nonetheless, I've concluded that the poor audio quality is not due to the pressing, but due to the mastering used for this release.

It's been noted - and I concur - that the bass is heavier on this master, but at the expense of the rest of the recording.

Copy 000149.

For comparison:

* Ape-Ology

* Super Ape (presumably Island/Get On Down master)

* Need-drop comparisons between MOV and Back To Black

Stunning pressing, five stars. The album has truly earned its superlatives.

sounds good. VERY LOUD. best enjoyed with your green friend.

What's the sound quality like on this dodgy looking edition?

Killer dub album, one of the best Black Ark productions from Lee Perry's heyday, and this VMP reissue does it justice. Tons of bass, crisp percussion, and the murky mix is so dense it's nearly impenetrable. Finally have all three of the albums included on Trojan's APEOLOGY double CD on vinyl, and I'm a happy boy! My copy plays like new, nice and clean with zero surface noise.

I have this album with the incorrect ILPS 9398 scratched out matrix, but with the original palm tree Island labels, and not the later blue ones.................................

Nice pressing, sounds big with all the details. Amazing Bass.Absolut classic

Seeking a cover! If you have one available, please me.

On the back cover it states "Printed in England by Robert Stace", not "Pressed in England" as stated in the notes. It was pressed by EMI. Robert Stace was a sleeve printer not a manufacturing plant.

My copy appears to be missing the 'STERLING' stamp on side B runout, but everything else is as described here... is it this version or a different one? Has the 'Island Records Inc' text under the logo and doesn't have 'B-3' on side B or a stamped 'P'.