I recently bought a nice looking test press from Pete Smith last week. To my surprise it does sound quite different to the "Shufflers" copy I used to have many moons ago.

What do you guys think? Sounds like a different take/mix or am I deaf? (I take it the "Shufflers" and the "Jay & The Shufflers" presses are virtually the same apart from the groups name? Or are they different mixes?)

Audio Files here

Have also uploaded an audio clip of the flip "when the lights are low". Does it sound different as well?

What makes you say they are different?

sounds kinda like you've recorded it live at a Niter tho'

Sounds the same to me , put poor recording ! Guy's old Derek Martin C/U from about 83 , I always preferred the flip " When The Lights Go Out " !!!

Edited January 10, 201213 yr by 123-motown

There are subtle differences in the arrangement and I'm not too sure if the vocals are 100% identical.

But I just played the uploaded audio clips myself, I guess something went wrong with the recording, it sounds way too muffled. Will try to record a better quality file.

Sounds how I remember it to these ears but I'll have to compare with the 45 when I get home. Vocals might be slightly different, added extra bits at the end of some lines.

Sounds the same to me , put poor recording ! Guy's old Derek Martin C/U from about 83 , I always preferred the flip " When The Lights Go Out " !!!

Seeing it says CR-1821 on "always be mine" side. Do you know if # in the run out groove is the same? On my testpress "always be mine" is CR-1823, "when the lights are low" is CR-1824.

Definitely a different vocal take from my 45 of this.

Sounds exactly the same to me..

ive got a test press aswell.

i thot it sounded a bit diff aswell.

had the issue but sold that,so never had chance to play side by side.

also have # CR-1823 on run out.

Thanks for the replies. I agree, the subtle differences might be not that audible when playing the audio clips but they there for sure.

Can somebody with an issue copy post up the matrix # details?

On my copy, the vinyl issue credited to The Shufflers, the details are:

Always Be Mine: CR-1823 in the runout. CR-1824-X-1 (crossed out). Label reads CR-1821

When The Lights Are Low: CR-1824 in the runout. Label reads CR-1822

Wonder if the Jay & The Shufflers cut is different and may be the reason people are saying your TP sounds like their issued copies.

Edited January 12, 201213 yr by garethx

Got a finished WD in front of me credited to just The Shufflers:

ABM has CR-1824-X scratched in (label states CR-1821)

WTLAL has CR-1823 scratched in (label states CR-1822)

Both sides have the Nashville Matrix machine stamp as well.

The vocal take on Benjis TP is different to this release...subtle but different.

Whichever take this is one helluva solid slab of heavyweight Soul...love it!

Come to think of it several tracks on the old 4 CD box set of Sue family releases are different to the released 45s...superb set it is as well.

Dave

Can you give us more detail on the 4 CD Box set you mention ...with regard to any interesting alternate takes

I see on Amazon & E-bay that it is out of print thesecdays

Thanks

Andy

I've an issue but the one credited to Jay and the Shufflers.

Always Be Mine

Label states CR-1823.

Scratched in the run out is CR-1824 X

When The Lights Are Low

label states CR-1824

Scratched in the run out is CR - 1823 just before the CR is a very faint 45.

I've got to listen to both upstairs tomorrow to compare.

Can you give us more detail on the 4 CD Box set you mention ...with regard to any interesting alternate takes

I see on Amazon & E-bay that it is out of print thesecdays

It is from 1994 - The Sue Story, [EMI 7243 8 28093 2 6] and yes long deleted.

Pops up cheap every now and then.

Anyone know who the group (Jay & Shufflers) members were? No doubt a NY group with some connection to Gene Redd, Jr. and Ron Mosely.

Thanks for your valuable input!

Tried to gather all informations about different presses and run-out groove details. My theory is that they used tapes 1823 and 1824 for the testpresses but went for earlier takes (1821 and 1822) for the final release. It would make sense to me tho I don't have any facts to back up. The matrix # are all over the place. e.g. Chalky's Jay & Shufflers matches test press # yet it's a different take. Or Flynny's WD has the same numbers but on the wrong sides. Don't know what to make out of it ...

Testpress Benji:

run-out on "always be mine" side: CR-1823

16/9/64

ES (looks like a signature)

run-out on "when the lights are low" side: CR-1824

ES (signature again)

Note: no pressing plant stamp on either side

Testpress Sepia:

run-out on "always be mine" side: CR-1823

Vinyl issue credited to The Shufflers GarethX:

Always Be Mine: CR-1823 in the runout. CR-1824-X-1 (crossed out). Label reads CR-1821

When The Lights Are Low: CR-1824 in the runout. Label reads CR-1822

Shufflers WD Flynny:

ABM has CR-1824-X scratched in (label states CR-1821)

WTLAL has CR-1823 scratched in (label states CR-1822)

Both sides have the Nashville Matrix machine stamp as well.

Jay and the Shufflers issue Chalky:

Always Be Mine

Label states CR-1823. Scratched in the run out is CR-1824 X

When The Lights Are Low

label states CR-1824. Scratched in the run out is CR - 1823 just before the CR is a very faint 45.