The "2B" and "2C" lacquers went to RCA in Hollywood.
Consider that it was during this time that Motown was making the move to Hollywood (i.e. Motown West) which is where the final mix of this album was done. I have two copies of the S-310 pressing.
Side 1:
Side 2:
Here is the identification of them:
Matrix number: dynaflex vinyl
A4RS-2682-2-B, Side 1;
A4RS-2684-2-B, Side 2
Matrix number: thicker vinyl
A4RS-2682-2-C, Side 1;
A4RS-2682-2-B, Side 2
Derouen is spelled correctly, though notice the lower case 'r' compared to the 'R' of the TS-310 and WLP.
I don't know if there exists a version with the 'C' identification on both sides.
The other key identifier is the 'H' in the run out groove which indicates that this was pressed at the RCA plant in Hollywood.
Both labels have the 'grey' in the Tamla label.
It would appear that of RCA's three pressing plants, the only one that did not press this multi-million seller was Rockaway, NJ (signified by a by-this-time hand-etched "R" at 12 o'clock). It should also be noted that RCA Hollywood pressings had their label typesetting done by Bert-Co Enterprises in Los Angeles, which handled such duties for a multitude of West Coast plants that handled labels big, small, medium and every other size imaginable. Other significant Bert-Co clients included Columbia (to the mid-1960's), Capitol, RCA, and Fantasy (of Creedence Clearwater Revival fame).
ReplyDeleteThe RCA Hollywood plant was located at 1016 North Sycamore Avenue, a few doors down from Annex Studios (the former Radio Recorders Annex). The plant's operation dated to at least the 1940's if not earlier, and shut down in early 1976.