LP.2228.8.1 was released on the third generation orange label in late 1976, the first series of pressings from Capitol's new Mississauga pressing plant. These pressings can be identified by the medium size (39 mm) pressing ring, characteristic of Capitol pressings, and feature a new master. These Capitol pressings used traditional thicker records.
Availability
This variation was available between late 1976 and 1977 (for approximately one year) when the label design changed to the purple label (see LP.2228.9.1). This pressing is relatively common as this series of reissues coincides with a deliberate effort by Capitol of Canada to promote the band's back catalogue (a highly promoted new set of LP reissues as well as the Beatles Forever series of 45s).
General Information
This pressing marks the beginning of a new era for Capitol pressings in Canada. The 3rd generation orange labels are the first in-house Canadian pressings to be produced at Capitol Canada's new pressing plant in Mississauga, Ontario. Pressings up until 1983 are made at this new plant, and feature the classic 39 mm pressing ring. These Capitol pressings used traditional thicker records. The text layout and font were once again completely changed on this reissue.
These first Capitol pressings also seem to come from newly cut masters, made from tapes that Capitol USA (re)sent from New York for the occasion. Not every album may have received new tapes, but some clearly did: Rubber Soul, for example, has a different mix on all of its Capitol pressings. It is therefore likely that Capitol of Canada made a deliberate, catalogue-wide effort to modernize its back catalogue when it opened its own plant, rather than keep working from the old source material.
Pressing Information
Matrix numbers are different from previous variations, as a new set of masters was prepared for this new series of back catalogue reissues. The hand-written catalogue numbers are now followed by new lacquer codes, and the trail-off also carries a stamped MASTERED BY CAPITOL marking and a small stamped Capitol target logo:
Side 1: ST-1-2228 H22
Side 2: ST-2-2228 H22
Cover
The cover of this variation keeps the design introduced with the Keel pressings: no stereo banner on the front, and the Capitol-EMI legal line with the Mississauga address at the bottom of the back cover. It is the same jacket as the one found on LP.2228.7.1 and LP.2228.7.2.
The jacket uses the same wraparound construction as the Keel pressings: front and back slicks are not separate, but printed as one large slick folded over the spine of the jacket, like a book.
This construction was introduced by Modern Album (the company that assembled Capitol's jackets) to compete with Shorewood's posterboard covers. Even though they are unmarked, these wraparound slicks were printed by Modern Graphics (see the Printers page for details).
On an assembled cover, the easiest way to spot a wraparound slick is the top right corner of the front cover, where the paper ends in a small cut angled at 45 degrees.
Packaging
This edition was shipped in tight shrink wrap, with a plain paper LP inner sleeve. These Capitol sleeves are square and have a large flap on the bottom and side. Note: these inner sleeves were being used as stocks were refilled, so it is possible that leftover earlier sleeves were used as well.
