‘What kind of people work in those places?” - Great quote from you, Michael. I just now found out Amazon sold me the non- Kevin Gray version. I bought it about 9 mo’s ago. I am livid !!
This is shameful. Buying records in Europe is already hard enough, but now this? It gets even more weird though. A couple of months ago i asked JPC if they were going to sell the 50th anniversary, as they didn't have it up for pre order when i checked. They said they weren't gonna sell it at all. I can't believe a label would do something like this. Especially selling a fake product. Refunds and an apology are in order.
Irrespective of the ethical questions, which are significant with this kind of deception in selling vinyl, one could always save the release as these kind of oddities with records tend to develop their own intriguing story and become collectors items. Doesn't make it right...but it has now happened.
Got this notification today on my Pre-Order! We are getting in touch with some unfortunate news. The Marvin Gaye : What's Going On (50th Anniversary Version) has been pulled by the record label until further notice and we can no longer guarantee delivery of this product. We are sorry this has happened so close to the release date but it is unfortunately out of our hands.
You have now been refunded for this product, however if it does ever come into stock, you will be the first to know.
Ugh! I’ve just requested to cancel my preorder (in the UK). I already have a copy of this album and this predicament has just made me realise I don’t need another. With shipping, I would have paid nearly £50 for this record and they don’t even have the decency to ship it as advertised 👎
It's amazing that the label thought they could get away with this. This is an obvious case of not knowing your market. Albums like this are targeted specifically for vinyl nerds that spend hours comparing pressings and reading dead wax.
This is so sad Michael. Thank you for shining a light on this. I was in the process of ordering when I got a notification of your video. You have saved me my hard earned money. So thanks again mate 👍
It was very common for releases in the EU to be a different pressing than in the USA, many of the record labels have separate distribution agreements that are geographic regions. Now with more marketing and educated consumers, the labels can't be putting the wrong information on hype stickers - they have to be clear what they are actually selling, and be clear if a certain version is for the USA only.
What kind of people work in those places? The same kind that have always have, industry executives who will lie, cheat, and steal to separate you from your money. They’re capitalizing on the resurgence of vinyl. This time they just got caught. Soon they’ll apologize and say it was all a mistake in the packaging.
This is unbelievable, thanks for sharing. I just cancelled my preorder I made at a big record store in Rome. I also explained to them what is happening and they asked me to write to them an email with links and sources so they can contact the label asking for explanations. This is really unacceptable.
Analog Planet says this about it:"Please note that Gray did not cut the European What’s Going On 50th anniversary edition, whose hype sticker mentions Dublin Vinyl instead of Precision." And:" GZ pressed the 180g black vinyl LPs (the hype sticker credits Precision in Canada, though an additional “Made In Czech Republic” sticker means it ended up at GZ)". End of quotes. It seems like the real KG version has Precision at the hype sticker but still on the back has a small sticker saying GZ made in Czech Republic. So I ordered this latter version via Discogs in the USA and I was reassured this is the April 1 US release. Let's cross fingers that I get the right one.
Thank you for sharing this video. I just quit my order from Universal. They are not able to send me the US Version, so I ordered it now from amazon US.
Michael, thanks so much for bringing this to light, it's an utter shambles! I'm in the UK and got told last week that the release date for Marvin Gaye here has been put back to 20th May - no idea why when there are copies available in Europe but now I will contact my supplier and see what happens regarding info from the record company in the coming days. I went and read the Steve Hoffman forum and found that I've fallen foul of this before without knowing it - last year I bought the Vince Guaraldi A Boy Named Charlie Brown Craft pressing, sticker says all analogue cut by Kevin Gray - check the dead wax - no it isn't! I feel cheated! And I fully expect the ebay flippers to be out in force on this now as it becomes more widely known - I can see them grabbing up all the US pressings and attempting to sell them on for a vastly inflated profit. All the best, Jon
ive just been on amazon and cancelled my pre order glad it never came friday now the EU tres hombres , rumours and many other releases have done this , the US is superior ... shame . and when you try to buy from US the costs are exorbitant . makes buying vinyl hard work sometimes . i tried to order 2 records from acoustic sounds and with shipping the cost over doubled ... just have to focus on buying stuff i can get here !
Thank you for the video about this, Michael, I'm happy you went ahead and decided to expose this shameful practice. It's not the first time it happened lately. Craft's reissue of A Boy Named Charlie Brown, also cut by Kevin Gray in the US has a different master in Europe even though it was/is sold with a hype sticker saying it's AAA by KG. It is straight up lying to the customer and it's a shame.
Hi Michael! Ordered it today via JPC, minutes before your video came out. Too late to cancel now, but luckily they have a customer-friendly return policy. Interestingly, HHV announced the KG edition on their website for weeks and now it's gone altogether. I wonder if they get any copies at all...
Actually you can cancel it if it isn't dispatched yet. I partially canceled an order after 2 months of waiting and they're pretty quick at refunding too.
Thanks for the info! I was surprised because I didn't share your opinion about the quality of this pressing. I think I will try to send the album back. Almost 50€ for a simple "0815" album is just too much, and I don't want to support this action as well.
You know, people complain about the boutique audiophile labels, but here is a great example of the majors at work - whether inadvertent or not, the labeling is clearly misleading and just downright shameful. Good job bringing this to everyone’s attention.
My local record store in Belgium gave the option to preorder it in January because it would be released by the end of that month. Then it was delayed till 1 April and I preordered it. Close to 1April it was delayed again till 29 April and last week it was delayed till 20 May. I think it will be the European version but how come you already have it then? Maybe I should cancel my order.
...all question answered, which I asked a few hours ago - You already did it :). Now I will cancel my order (which i did based on Your review, which was linked to Your "final MFSL words". What an incidence 😜
Uh-oh... this is *appalling*! Sounds to me like the people responsible for this mess are more about the 'industry' than the 'music'? Great way to kill the goose that laid the golden vinyl resurgence egg. Casuals won't know or care about the difference, serious collectors will (or, should be) outraged and steer clear of EU versions from now on.
The major labels are doing what they do every time, what they've done with RSD - jump on the bandwagon and milk it for all it's worth, bleed those suckers dry!!!!!! They have no interest in music whatsoever - it's just a commodity to them - one they know they can sell because it's something that people engage with emotionally. I always laugh when I see the term "artist development" - like they give a sh*t about developing the artist, all they care about is developing the income stream - greedy, grabbing, cynical sharks!!!!!!!!! Quality control of many new pressings is abysmal as it is! They don't care about the music, the musician or the product, just as long as the money is rolling in in vast quantities!!!! It just makes me so disappointed - seems like everyone is out to rip you off one way or another - and they're such big entities now they can just say "suck it up" - we have little voice against it as it's so difficult to get anything done!
Habe mich schon über die verschiedenen Ausgaben im Internet gewundert. Konnte das aber absolut nicht einordnen. Unglaublich, was die machen. Verwirrend. Schaue nun, welche ich habe? 🤔 ❤️Heike
Thanks for raising this issue Michael. After all the delays here in the UK I thought I would receive my copy last Friday. When I checked why it hadn’t arrived I see it’s been delayed again ....to 20th May. And now I’m wondering which version will arrive! 🤔
Well between this, and the non fill issues with the US pressings (I had to return my first copy because of non fill), I'd say this is a disservice to the occasion of the album. The intent should have been to shine a light on Marvin Gaye and his timeless masterpiece after 50 years. It does not seem like that is "What's Going On" here.
Michael, would you be able to record a song from both editions onto your computer and either upload them to UA-cam or send them to me by email please? That would be amazing, as I'm considering buying one of these two editions, but I haven't been able to listen to either and I would very much like to hear how both editions sound, and I know that many others would too. I looked up the discussion on the Steve Hoffman forum, and many people there also wanted to listen to both versions, so if you would be able to record the albums onto your computer that would be perfect, and many people would be super grateful. I can help you if you don't know how to record onto your computer :-). Vielen dank (ich bin aus Dänemark)!
I got mine today here in Belgium from my local shop. The Hype sticker says: "Direct to analog mastering by Kevin Gray / Cohearent Audio" "2LP Pressed on 180gm vinyl at Dublin Vinyl" When I check the deadwax I don't see KG, but instead LAWRIE. If I understand correctly, the US pressing and hype sticker reads: 2LP Pressed on 180gm vinyl at Precision", while the European pressing and hype sticker reads: 2LP Pressed on 180gm vinyl at Dublin vinyl? Hopefully this will tell us the difference? Otherwise you have to open it to check the dead wax? Michael what do you think? What a mess. I'm really disappointed because I missed the one step and after your first review about this one I was very excited to get the KG mastering.
No need to open to check the dead wax, each version can be identified by the hype sticker & catalogue number. EU: pressed at Dublin Vinyl, catalogue no. a long number string starting with 00602.... Kevin Gray version: pressed at Precision, catalogue no B0033348-01
Hello and thank you for the notice. As USA versions needs 70 dollars plus taxes for shipping to Greece, something very expencive, from where do you suggest (if you can ) to buy a copy of this LP, even Europian version, it might not sound as good as the USA version but it must be a list very good?
I'm confused did you get your first KEvin Grey copy from Amazon or Accoustic Sounds - I have been waitin formy copy fromAccoustic Soundssince my pre order in December - and I live in Canada - question on this video is was the hype sticker placed on shrink wrap by mistake or was it intentional?
I live in EU and got mine from Amazon's USA version. I did get the Kevin Gray version with LPs in paper sleeves, phew! I initially did this as USA version was released month earlier and could pre order, I think you could pre order the Amazon UK one but no pre order from any Amazon EU site. Would be interesting to see if UK version has same issues as EU version 🤔
I don’t understand. I just received mine from Acoustic Sounds. Mine have made in the Czeck Republic but purchased here in the states. Is this the Kevin Gray or not. Very confusing. I wouldn’t think Chad Kassem would sell a misrepresented product. Thanks, Chris
Sorry for the news in Europe. Was your Marvin Gaye albums comparison guide last month with the MFSL AND THIS digital version, after all?? Will have to go back & review your vid. comparison two versions. 👌
I had the same issue when I bought the EU pressing of Big Star #1 Record when it came out (the 2020 reissue) which had the same hype sticker the US all-analogue pressing did but different deadwax and it's cut digitally. Still a really good sounding pressing but inferior and not what was advertised. Similar also to the 2011 Fleetwood mac Rumours reissue where the US Pallas all-analogue reissue and the EU digital reissue (luckily I didn't buy that one) have similar hype stickers and the same barcode, almost seems deceptive.
Michael, this sounds to me like a defamation lawsuit. They are using Kevin Gray name and by producing an inferior product defaming his character and reputation. Thank you for breaking this Michael. This had to be done.
I live in Dublin and my order has now gone back to 20th May, so the first batches must have been for export. Misleading information on the sticker or sleeve would breach consumer protection laws in any part of the world. When I ordered I did not know that Kevin Gray had done the mastering, I just wanted a new copy of a record I had in the 1970s. However, there is no excuse for Universal Records misdescribing a record. For the record, I don't always find records remastered by Kevin Gray to be better than copies which I bought many years ago. A recent example of this was Hank Mobley's 'Soul Station' on Blue Note Classics, where I found my earlier French pressing of the same record to be much superior.
Wow! Everyone should return their copies to the stores and ask for a refund. If you don’t get it, there should be a class action lawsuit. That is false advertising.
Ordered my Kevin Gray mastered copy through seller from the US on eBay to make sure I got the right one. Got it today and it’s the KG one for sure. Everything seems fine…sound is incredible. Then turn to side two of first LP and find that side two is a mispress…to the degree that it’s unbearable to listen to. What a disappointment 😫 This is a factory error, not sellers fault, since my copy was sealed. What to do? Buy a new copy or get a replacement disc?
I mentioned the difference in the original post you made about this release…..I asked you directly about which to order as the links you had pointed to different cover designs and insides…..-Ethan’s we just need the EAN number to get the right one…..a simple difference is the fact one has Deluxe Edition 50th Anniversary on the cover
It’s similar to the Fleetwood Mac Rumours 45rpm (Release 2011). There was a KG cut for the us market and another (non audiophile) cut for Europe. I’ll check my copy next week (I had a preorder at Dussmann in Berlin) . We’ll see…
@@Michael45RPM also ich habe mir die Scheibe am Freitag bei Dussmann in Berlin geholt. Auf dem Sticker steht eindeutig „Mastering by Kevin Gray/Cohearent Audio“. Ich habe auch gleich das Vinyl gestern untersucht und nicht die Initialen von Kevin Gray gefunden. Handelt sich also um die EU Version. Für mich ist das ein ganz klassischer Sachmangel und ich werde die Scheibe wieder versuchen zu reklamieren. Ich kann auch nicht ein Bild als Picasso verkaufen und dann hat es ein ganz anderer Künstler gemalt. Erstmal bin ich dir sehr dankbar Michael für deine Arbeit. Ich habe durch dich viele tolle Alben entdeckt und mein Kaufverhalten komplett umgestellt. Außerdem bringst du mich dazu, wieder mehr mich um meine kümmerlichen Englischkenntnisse zu kümmern. Wirklich ein ganz ganz ganz großes Dankeschön!!!!!! Zurück zur Veröffentlichung. Ich bin ziemlich entsetzt, traurig und sauer über diesen Betrug. Ich habe absolut kein Verständnis für solche Aktionen. Wir bezahlen sehr viel Geld für die Scheiben und dann werden wir auch noch verarscht. Die Händler können sicherlich nichts dafür, aber man sollte sie definitiv auch in Kenntnis setzen.
Oh no... Not again. They did exactly the same thing with the Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown Record. The Hype Sticker claimed it to be a AAA cut by KG. Which in fact it was not. Completely different stamper. Probably cut from a digital file by who knows who. It sounds good though but I have no comparison to the actual KG cut. Such a bummer they're doing this "by mistake" again. Was really looking forward to this release. Now I'm thinking about cancelling my order on JPC... :-/
Thanks Michael, excellent video.. I’ve been waiting months and the date kept moving. I’ve now cancelled based on your video but I’m struggling to find a US version, nothing on acoustic sounds website. Can I ask where you got your’s from? Thanks again.
I got my copy today, record in the card inner and Precision on the hype sticker. DAT Wax K gray. Phew! Sounds fantastic. The downside is that putting the record inside the card inner sleeve, meant that there was a lot of tiny white particles from the card on the record. A pain to get them off.
Thank you very much for bringing this to our attention . I will be cancelling my pre order . This is treating audiophile customers with complete contempt . It’s been building for a while (re: Bowie Brilliant live adventures cash cow milking ) . But this is just playing us all for fools .
If it would have been another run of the mill anonymous remaster reissue, it wouldn't have been a big deal, but if they are charging customers top dollar for a specific remaster and they don't get it, the company can expect a lot of returned LPs from the distributors. If it gets to be very bad, they may even consider no longer distributing that album or any other album by that manufacturer. Imagine, if you will, the cost of having to cover postage for the returns from all those customers, alone!
Wow! I have been waiting for 5 weeks now since my package was shipped but that is fairly normal here in Sydney. Even though I do order from the U.K., France and Germany on this occasion thank god I ordered from UDiscover in the states so I’m 99% sure when the thing turns up next week it will be the KG. This is a huge nightmare though, they are gonna have a lot of returns and the customer service people are gonna be very confused, they will be saying “what’s dead wax”?
I pre-ordered the non-limited 50th Anniversary version w/out the photo prints (what most people ordered) via UDiscover and they automatically cancelled my order in April, refunding the money. I was so upset. Emailed them asking why. They said we won't have this item, but we have the limited version at $59 ($20 more). I fought with them via email to get the same coupon code for the limited version they did have available because I had ore-ordered in December 2021 with a large discount code. I also noticed many people leaving ratings on Amazon said they had sound issues and needed to get it exchanged. Some reviewers on UA-cam also said they got a bad copy with flaws and needed to get it replaced, but they eventually got copies with no flaws. So much confusion going on with this record. Every one of them should have been mastered by Kevin Gray and ALL pressed at RTI. I would pay $10-$20 extra if I know it's an RTI pressing and this title is so historically-important that it deserves everything done right .
Thank you so much, I've immediately cancelled my UK preorder - if you lived locally I'd be straight 'round with a good bottle of wine! What an absolute farce and what contempt they are showing European customers. Utterly dumb!
Sorry to hear Michael I have the US mine has the bad non fill on the end of side 1 . I was going to order the European version thanks big time for the heads up I hope you get the correct Kevin gray mastered one I’m going to seek a better copy out the album sounds incredible but I’m out to seek a better copy hopefully find a perfect press. Lovellandrew
Very interesting! I ordered from AS at the beginning of April and haven't received it yet. At first it said late April and now May? Must have sold out and waiting for more?
Received my copy yesterday from Amazon... Put it on and immediatelly thought ... Well, not too impressive. Not what I was used to know from KG. I am really pissed.
Unbelievable! All of you who bought this EU version. Just simply return it. That would be a big punch for this issue. If only all of you could see this video. Very important. So wrong in many directions. Thank you Michael.
Hello Michael, thank you for your important information. I really didn't know it and will cancel my orders from Germany. I also own the One-Step but want the Kevin Grey too. I saw acousticsounds has it now on preorder. Do you think they will get the right version again?
4:52 Or worse, I turn on 45 RPM Audiophile and *Mazzy* is sitting there!!!😱The horror!!😆That's really a shame. I think they thought the VC wouldn't know the difference. Big mistake to make on such an important album! Speaking of former guests, we haven't seen either Sonic Flare or Miss LadySoul on your channel in a LONG time. Any plans to have either in an upcoming video?
I am also affected. I can only advise everyone in Germany to write to Universal Germany to really "get on their nerves". In my eyes, this is outright fraud. In addition, many dealers take the goods back only in case of damage. So make pressure, maybe there is an exchange action. I'm served in any case, 48 euros for this shit, a cheek.
The american version is pressed at GZ in europe. Why would they have used two different masters to press on the same plant? Legal issues? Production error?
IMO there are two different pressing plants. The US Version/Kevin Gray Master pressed by GZ Media. The EU Version/Lawrie Master pressed by Dublin Vinyl, but the hype sticker says that is a Kevin Gray Master. Dublin Vinyl is a new Pressing Plant in Ireland, i think.
You never heard that album right until you've heard the DETROIT MIX of it. Best version ever. You can trust me^. (As far as I know this Detroit mix is only available on CD; 2001 release.)
It was released on vinyl in 2016 (in the UK at least) as a 4 x LP with the original mix and live recording from Kennedy Center Auditorium, half speed mastered at Abbey Road.
Well... I guess Kevin Gray's sound is not that unique after all; if people didn't realized at first that this release from Europe wasn't his mastering. Interesting...
I went through four copies of this release before I found one that was “good enough”. Every copy was scratched or the records cut through the inner sleeves
Wow, this is so disgusting… I was looking forward to the KG Remaster of this release since i ordered it back in November… waiting 6 months and then you dont even get what you ordered.
Mikey you are correct this is absolutely crazy. Why not have one mastering/pressing for worldwide distribution ?
2 роки тому+1
I was expecting this to finally happen. This Kevin Grey guy is doing thousands of releases, how can he be everywhere at the same time?. The industry knows that his name is a secure seller. So it’s easy to put his name on the hype sticker.
Well thank you for the update Michael. Record is delayed again until May on Amzn fr. Aside from any consideration for the other guy’s work, this is pure scam!
My goodness. Sounds like a scam to me. Thanks for informing about this🙏... it is great to have and easier to get more and more new good vinyl nowadays. However this is appalling. 😓
I wonder if it's not only in Europe, I'm in Montreal and last Wednesday I received an update from amazon stating that my copy was out on delivery to be received that same day, at the end of the day I received another update saying that it was now delayed and I could cancel my order anytime. Maybe it was recalled. Thanks for posting this, I will check the dead wax, if I ever receive it that is.
@@Michael45RPM Finally received my copy, the dead wax reads krGeca, there is a K and a G and no Lawrie Dunster, so I presume it’s the Kevin Gray master, either way the sound is amazing compared to my other version. Le seul bémol is I find it a little forward sounding, but that could be my taste and system/room.
How do we know that both releases (US and EU) were mastered by different persons since there is no information about that printed on the jacket or elsewhere? We can only see that one was cut by Lawrence Dunster and maybe it affected the end result in that negative way that Micheal complained about. Usually, the person who cut the vinyl also leave his/her signature on dead wax and not that who did the mastering.
@@mazzysmusic Yes, but that's the point. There is the information about the person who cut the lacquer but once again how do we know who did the mastering?
Agreed Michael - what kind of people work at UMe who would do this to such an iconic album? Clearly not music fans. No offence to Lawrence Dunster but UMe hyped the s**t out of this having a Kevin Gray AAA cut and now we have to assume the European version is created from digital files? Beyond angry about this.
I bought this in Sweden a couple of days ago. If I had known this I had never bought the album. Fortunately it was pretty cheap. 23 euros in my local shop.
I haven't read all the comments (there are a lot) so maybe I missed this, but I really do not understand why they did this. If I'm not mistaken it is very easy to make multiple stampers from the same cutting, and sent those to the various pressing plants, right?? Could someone enlighten me?
I don't know how they could have done this. I see labels like Rhino create plates at RTI and ship them off to EU plants to press, so the EU & US copies are the same master just pressed in different plants. And I'm guessing that the LAWRIE cut is also from a digital file. Absolute travesty.
My copy finally arrived today, via Amazon UK. Lawrie@curvepusher in the dead wax. No hype sticker. Mastered by Kevin Gray on the inner sleeve, which were in the centre of the gatefold with the records in poly sleeves. Made in the EU on the back cover. As it's my only copy, I'm happy enough... but is the US edition better?
Hi Michael, thanks for the transparency and shame on the Universal marketing. is thereby a way to get the KG remaster on Europe? Only direct order US? That will be costy....If this is a cheat, I do not understand why you further promote the amazon link instead to replace it with a reliable source for the KG remaster.Where shoulder I order?
I hope there will be an answer for this shady shyt. As a consumer and don’t care how much you paid even if it was a dollar, sorry I am stateside, euro etc. it should be exactly as it promoted on the packaging. Yet on the other side, a production mistake may have been made. I hope the latter is the case because if it wasn’t, then all involved should be held accountable and all who are currently in possession of the wrong version should be made whole.
Being curious how the US/Kevin Grey's mastering do sound I ordered another copy from US Amazon, and it is indeed a different one. Keeping it short, I do more like the sound where the stage seems to me to be wider and instruments sound more present and intense, especially the bass. Also, the printed inner sleeve has better quality, is glossier than those which were added separately to the EU version. If it comes to the print quality of the gatefold cover, the situation is reversed and I like more the EU version where the colours are deeper, and the details are more visible.
Just cancelled my order on Amazon. You have to feel sorry for Lawrence Dunster, sure he did a decent enough job, but having waited so long for this and to be lied to in this way, not for me. Sorry.
As I wrote in the thread of the Steve Hoffman forum: it's plain cheating. I am a bit upset about it and lost interest in the product at all. I can't (and surely don't want to) see myself putting quite some effort and even more money into the task of getting the US version after that mess. Would feel like a horse running after the carrot that some bloody company is holding in front of my nose, playing me. Anyway, THX for the video, Michael.
‘What kind of people work in those places?” - Great quote from you, Michael. I just now found out Amazon sold me the non- Kevin Gray version. I bought it about 9 mo’s ago. I am livid !!
This is shameful. Buying records in Europe is already hard enough, but now this? It gets even more weird though. A couple of months ago i asked JPC if they were going to sell the 50th anniversary, as they didn't have it up for pre order when i checked. They said they weren't gonna sell it at all.
I can't believe a label would do something like this. Especially selling a fake product. Refunds and an apology are in order.
Irrespective of the ethical questions, which are significant with this kind of deception in selling vinyl, one could always save the release as these kind of oddities with records tend to develop their own intriguing story and become collectors items. Doesn't make it right...but it has now happened.
Got this notification today on my Pre-Order!
We are getting in touch with some unfortunate news. The Marvin Gaye : What's Going On (50th Anniversary Version) has been pulled by the record label until further notice and we can no longer guarantee delivery of this product. We are sorry this has happened so close to the release date but it is unfortunately out of our hands.
You have now been refunded for this product, however if it does ever come into stock, you will be the first to know.
Michael very interesting video thanks for posting.You have some affiliate links in the description, how do I insure I get the Kevin Gray version ?
Ugh! I’ve just requested to cancel my preorder (in the UK). I already have a copy of this album and this predicament has just made me realise I don’t need another. With shipping, I would have paid nearly £50 for this record and they don’t even have the decency to ship it as advertised 👎
It's amazing that the label thought they could get away with this. This is an obvious case of not knowing your market. Albums like this are targeted specifically for vinyl nerds that spend hours comparing pressings and reading dead wax.
This is so sad Michael. Thank you for shining a light on this. I was in the process of ordering when I got a notification of your video. You have saved me my hard earned money. So thanks again mate 👍
It was very common for releases in the EU to be a different pressing than in the USA, many of the record labels have separate distribution agreements that are geographic regions. Now with more marketing and educated consumers, the labels can't be putting the wrong information on hype stickers - they have to be clear what they are actually selling, and be clear if a certain version is for the USA only.
I don't get it. Why do separate distribution agreements necessitate a different pressing?
What kind of people work in those places? The same kind that have always have, industry executives who will lie, cheat, and steal to separate you from your money. They’re capitalizing on the resurgence of vinyl. This time they just got caught. Soon they’ll apologize and say it was all a mistake in the packaging.
This is unbelievable, thanks for sharing. I just cancelled my preorder I made at a big record store in Rome. I also explained to them what is happening and they asked me to write to them an email with links and sources so they can contact the label asking for explanations. This is really unacceptable.
Analog Planet says this about it:"Please note that Gray did not cut the European What’s Going On 50th anniversary edition, whose hype sticker mentions Dublin Vinyl instead of Precision." And:" GZ pressed the 180g black vinyl LPs (the hype sticker credits Precision in Canada, though an additional “Made In Czech Republic” sticker means it ended up at GZ)". End of quotes. It seems like the real KG version has Precision at the hype sticker but still on the back has a small sticker saying GZ made in Czech Republic. So I ordered this latter version via Discogs in the USA and I was reassured this is the April 1 US release. Let's cross fingers that I get the right one.
So I received the US April 1st KG version. Lucky me!
So the US Kevin Grey remaster has precision on the hype sticker?
@@yayasgoal yep
@@frankessink8780 Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this video. I just quit my order from Universal. They are not able to send me the US Version, so I ordered it now from amazon US.
Michael, thanks so much for bringing this to light, it's an utter shambles! I'm in the UK and got told last week that the release date for Marvin Gaye here has been put back to 20th May - no idea why when there are copies available in Europe but now I will contact my supplier and see what happens regarding info from the record company in the coming days.
I went and read the Steve Hoffman forum and found that I've fallen foul of this before without knowing it - last year I bought the Vince Guaraldi A Boy Named Charlie Brown Craft pressing, sticker says all analogue cut by Kevin Gray - check the dead wax - no it isn't! I feel cheated!
And I fully expect the ebay flippers to be out in force on this now as it becomes more widely known - I can see them grabbing up all the US pressings and attempting to sell them on for a vastly inflated profit.
All the best, Jon
You are absolutely right the scalpers will do that! everyone order yours now to beat them!
ive just been on amazon and cancelled my pre order
glad it never came friday now
the EU tres hombres , rumours and many other releases have done this , the US is superior ... shame . and when you try to buy from US the costs are exorbitant . makes buying vinyl hard work sometimes .
i tried to order 2 records from acoustic sounds and with shipping the cost over doubled ... just have to focus on buying stuff i can get here !
Thank you for the video about this, Michael, I'm happy you went ahead and decided to expose this shameful practice.
It's not the first time it happened lately. Craft's reissue of A Boy Named Charlie Brown, also cut by Kevin Gray in the US has a different master in Europe even though it was/is sold with a hype sticker saying it's AAA by KG.
It is straight up lying to the customer and it's a shame.
Und natürlich ein ganz dickes DANKESCHÖN für dein wichtigen Hinweis 🙏
Hi Michael! Ordered it today via JPC, minutes before your video came out. Too late to cancel now, but luckily they have a customer-friendly return policy. Interestingly, HHV announced the KG edition on their website for weeks and now it's gone altogether. I wonder if they get any copies at all...
Actually you can cancel it if it isn't dispatched yet. I partially canceled an order after 2 months of waiting and they're pretty quick at refunding too.
Great video
Thank you Michael
Thanks for the info! I was surprised because I didn't share your opinion about the quality of this pressing. I think I will try to send the album back. Almost 50€ for a simple "0815" album is just too much, and I don't want to support this action as well.
I got one of the wrong Europe pressing, sold with the hype-sticker advertising it as the Kevin Gray remaster. Universal are assholes.
You know, people complain about the boutique audiophile labels, but here is a great example of the majors at work - whether inadvertent or not, the labeling is clearly misleading and just downright shameful. Good job bringing this to everyone’s attention.
My local record store in Belgium gave the option to preorder it in January because it would be released by the end of that month. Then it was delayed till 1 April and I preordered it. Close to 1April it was delayed again till 29 April and last week it was delayed till 20 May. I think it will be the European version but how come you already have it then? Maybe I should cancel my order.
Thanks for the heads up. I had it preordered from Amazon France but now I managed to cancel the order. It was about to ship beginning of next week.
...all question answered, which I asked a few hours ago - You already did it :). Now I will cancel my order (which i did based on Your review, which was linked to Your "final MFSL words". What an incidence 😜
Uh-oh... this is *appalling*! Sounds to me like the people responsible for this mess are more about the 'industry' than the 'music'? Great way to kill the goose that laid the golden vinyl resurgence egg. Casuals won't know or care about the difference, serious collectors will (or, should be) outraged and steer clear of EU versions from now on.
The major labels are doing what they do every time, what they've done with RSD - jump on the bandwagon and milk it for all it's worth, bleed those suckers dry!!!!!! They have no interest in music whatsoever - it's just a commodity to them - one they know they can sell because it's something that people engage with emotionally. I always laugh when I see the term "artist development" - like they give a sh*t about developing the artist, all they care about is developing the income stream - greedy, grabbing, cynical sharks!!!!!!!!! Quality control of many new pressings is abysmal as it is! They don't care about the music, the musician or the product, just as long as the money is rolling in in vast quantities!!!! It just makes me so disappointed - seems like everyone is out to rip you off one way or another - and they're such big entities now they can just say "suck it up" - we have little voice against it as it's so difficult to get anything done!
Habe mich schon über die verschiedenen Ausgaben im Internet gewundert.
Konnte das aber absolut nicht einordnen.
Unglaublich, was die machen.
Verwirrend.
Schaue nun, welche ich habe? 🤔
❤️Heike
Hi there, what is the EAN number for the version we want? this is the only way to get the correct one mixed by Kevin Gray? thanks M
I have canceled my preorder immediately, it's a shame. thanks for reporting the problem
Thanks for raising this issue Michael. After all the delays here in the UK I thought I would receive my copy last Friday. When I checked why it hadn’t arrived I see it’s been delayed again ....to 20th May. And now I’m wondering which version will arrive! 🤔
Hmmm thanks for that. I've now cancelled my order with Amazon from October 2021 and placed an order with AS
Well between this, and the non fill issues with the US pressings (I had to return my first copy because of non fill), I'd say this is a disservice to the occasion of the album. The intent should have been to shine a light on Marvin Gaye and his timeless masterpiece after 50 years. It does not seem like that is "What's Going On" here.
Michael, would you be able to record a song from both editions onto your computer and either upload them to UA-cam or send them to me by email please?
That would be amazing, as I'm considering buying one of these two editions, but I haven't been able to listen to either and I would very much like to hear how both editions sound, and I know that many others would too.
I looked up the discussion on the Steve Hoffman forum, and many people there also wanted to listen to both versions, so if you would be able to record the albums onto your computer that would be perfect, and many people would be super grateful. I can help you if you don't know how to record onto your computer :-).
Vielen dank (ich bin aus Dänemark)!
I got mine today here in Belgium from my local shop. The Hype sticker says:
"Direct to analog mastering by Kevin Gray / Cohearent Audio"
"2LP Pressed on 180gm vinyl at Dublin Vinyl"
When I check the deadwax I don't see KG, but instead LAWRIE.
If I understand correctly, the US pressing and hype sticker reads: 2LP Pressed on 180gm vinyl at Precision", while the European pressing and hype sticker reads: 2LP Pressed on 180gm vinyl at Dublin vinyl?
Hopefully this will tell us the difference? Otherwise you have to open it to check the dead wax?
Michael what do you think?
What a mess. I'm really disappointed because I missed the one step and after your first review about this one I was very excited to get the KG mastering.
No need to open to check the dead wax, each version can be identified by the hype sticker & catalogue number.
EU: pressed at Dublin Vinyl, catalogue no. a long number string starting with 00602.... Kevin Gray version: pressed at Precision, catalogue no B0033348-01
Additionally, the Kevin Gray version should have a 'Made in Czech Republic' sticker on the back cover.
@@chriss6302 thanks Chris for clearing this up!
Hello and thank you for the notice. As USA versions needs 70 dollars plus taxes for shipping to Greece, something very expencive, from where do you suggest (if you can ) to buy a copy of this LP, even Europian version, it might not sound as good as the USA version but it must be a list very good?
I'm confused did you get your first KEvin Grey copy from Amazon or Accoustic Sounds - I have been waitin formy copy fromAccoustic Soundssince my pre order in December - and I live in Canada - question on this video is was the hype sticker placed on shrink wrap by mistake or was it intentional?
I live in EU and got mine from Amazon's USA version. I did get the Kevin Gray version with LPs in paper sleeves, phew! I initially did this as USA version was released month earlier and could pre order, I think you could pre order the Amazon UK one but no pre order from any Amazon EU site. Would be interesting to see if UK version has same issues as EU version 🤔
I don’t understand. I just received mine from Acoustic Sounds. Mine have made in the Czeck Republic but purchased here in the states. Is this the Kevin Gray or not. Very confusing. I wouldn’t think Chad Kassem would sell a misrepresented product. Thanks, Chris
I checked on Discogs data it seems the US version is GZ pressed too.
How do we know which version we are buying? Is there anything on the jacket that’s a tell tale sign we’re buying the right version?
Sorry for the news in Europe.
Was your Marvin Gaye albums comparison guide last month with the MFSL AND THIS digital version, after all?? Will have to go back & review your vid. comparison two versions. 👌
I had the same issue when I bought the EU pressing of Big Star #1 Record when it came out (the 2020 reissue) which had the same hype sticker the US all-analogue pressing did but different deadwax and it's cut digitally. Still a really good sounding pressing but inferior and not what was advertised. Similar also to the 2011 Fleetwood mac Rumours reissue where the US Pallas all-analogue reissue and the EU digital reissue (luckily I didn't buy that one) have similar hype stickers and the same barcode, almost seems deceptive.
Thanks was literally about to preorder!
I love watching this dude's review videos. between the glasses and the accent and his passion for these releases.
Michael, this sounds to me like a defamation lawsuit. They are using Kevin Gray name and by producing an inferior product defaming his character and reputation. Thank you for breaking this Michael. This had to be done.
I ordered it months ago from German amazon. Item arriving on 10th of May and now i am confused, should i cancel it or try luck? :D
I live in Dublin and my order has now gone back to 20th May, so the first batches must have been for export. Misleading information on the sticker or sleeve would breach consumer protection laws in any part of the world. When I ordered I did not know that Kevin Gray had done the mastering, I just wanted a new copy of a record I had in the 1970s. However, there is no excuse for Universal Records misdescribing a record. For the record, I don't always find records remastered by Kevin Gray to be better than copies which I bought many years ago. A recent example of this was Hank Mobley's 'Soul Station' on Blue Note Classics, where I found my earlier French pressing of the same record to be much superior.
Many many thanks for this! I could still cancel my European preorder.
Wow! Everyone should return their copies to the stores and ask for a refund. If you don’t get it, there should be a class action lawsuit. That is false advertising.
Ordered my Kevin Gray mastered copy through seller from the US on eBay to make sure I got the right one. Got it today and it’s the KG one for sure. Everything seems fine…sound is incredible. Then turn to side two of first LP and find that side two is a mispress…to the degree that it’s unbearable to listen to. What a disappointment 😫 This is a factory error, not sellers fault, since my copy was sealed. What to do? Buy a new copy or get a replacement disc?
Lawrie Dunster has just joined the Hoffman forum and has said he is happy to answer any questions.
I mentioned the difference in the original post you made about this release…..I asked you directly about which to order as the links you had pointed to different cover designs and insides…..-Ethan’s we just need the EAN number to get the right one…..a simple difference is the fact one has Deluxe Edition 50th Anniversary on the cover
It’s similar to the Fleetwood Mac Rumours 45rpm (Release 2011). There was a KG cut for the us market and another (non audiophile) cut for Europe.
I’ll check my copy next week (I had a preorder at Dussmann in Berlin) . We’ll see…
but the european had no Kevin Gray Hype Sticker
@@Michael45RPM that’s absolutely right
@@Michael45RPM also ich habe mir die Scheibe am Freitag bei Dussmann in Berlin geholt.
Auf dem Sticker steht eindeutig „Mastering by Kevin Gray/Cohearent Audio“.
Ich habe auch gleich das Vinyl gestern untersucht und nicht die Initialen von Kevin Gray gefunden.
Handelt sich also um die EU Version.
Für mich ist das ein ganz klassischer Sachmangel und ich werde die Scheibe wieder versuchen zu reklamieren.
Ich kann auch nicht ein Bild als Picasso verkaufen und dann hat es ein ganz anderer Künstler gemalt.
Erstmal bin ich dir sehr dankbar Michael für deine Arbeit. Ich habe durch dich viele tolle Alben entdeckt und mein Kaufverhalten komplett umgestellt.
Außerdem bringst du mich dazu, wieder mehr mich um meine kümmerlichen Englischkenntnisse zu kümmern.
Wirklich ein ganz ganz ganz großes Dankeschön!!!!!!
Zurück zur Veröffentlichung.
Ich bin ziemlich entsetzt, traurig und sauer über diesen Betrug.
Ich habe absolut kein Verständnis für solche Aktionen. Wir bezahlen sehr viel Geld für die Scheiben und dann werden wir auch noch verarscht.
Die Händler können sicherlich nichts dafür, aber man sollte sie definitiv auch in Kenntnis setzen.
Oh no... Not again. They did exactly the same thing with the Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown Record. The Hype Sticker claimed it to be a AAA cut by KG. Which in fact it was not. Completely different stamper. Probably cut from a digital file by who knows who.
It sounds good though but I have no comparison to the actual KG cut. Such a bummer they're doing this "by mistake" again. Was really looking forward to this release. Now I'm thinking about cancelling my order on JPC... :-/
Thanks Michael, excellent video.. I’ve been waiting months and the date kept moving. I’ve now cancelled based on your video but I’m struggling to find a US version, nothing on acoustic sounds website. Can I ask where you got your’s from? Thanks again.
I got my copy today, record in the card inner and Precision on the hype sticker. DAT Wax K gray. Phew! Sounds fantastic. The downside is that putting the record inside the card inner sleeve, meant that there was a lot of tiny white particles from the card on the record. A pain to get them off.
Did you order from Europe? Just curious if they've fixed this or all still the same?
@@WesDanceMusic from a private seller in the UK, SO I WAS ABLE TO HAVE IT VERIFIED AS THE US Kevin Gray VERSION.
Thank you Michael, always valuable information. I ordered direct to Universal Music Spain, I don’t know if it will be ok.
Can't understand why the same metalwork/stampers weren't supplied from the KG remaster to the European pressing plant.
Thank you very much for bringing this to our attention . I will be cancelling my pre order . This is treating audiophile customers with complete contempt . It’s been building for a while (re: Bowie Brilliant live adventures cash cow milking ) . But this is just playing us all for fools .
I just found a copy at Walmart with the same hype sticker. I have a few coming from AS.
If it would have been another run of the mill anonymous remaster reissue, it wouldn't have been a big deal, but if they are charging customers top dollar for a specific remaster and they don't get it, the company can expect a lot of returned LPs from the distributors. If it gets to be very bad, they may even consider no longer distributing that album or any other album by that manufacturer. Imagine, if you will, the cost of having to cover postage for the returns from all those customers, alone!
Wow! I have been waiting for 5 weeks now since my package was shipped but that is fairly normal here in Sydney. Even though I do order from the U.K., France and Germany on this occasion thank god I ordered from UDiscover in the states so I’m 99% sure when the thing turns up next week it will be the KG. This is a huge nightmare though, they are gonna have a lot of returns and the customer service people are gonna be very confused, they will be saying “what’s dead wax”?
I pre-ordered the non-limited 50th Anniversary version w/out the photo prints (what most people ordered) via UDiscover and they automatically cancelled my order in April, refunding the money. I was so upset. Emailed them asking why. They said we won't have this item, but we have the limited version at $59 ($20 more). I fought with them via email to get the same coupon code for the limited version they did have available because I had ore-ordered in December 2021 with a large discount code. I also noticed many people leaving ratings on Amazon said they had sound issues and needed to get it exchanged. Some reviewers on UA-cam also said they got a bad copy with flaws and needed to get it replaced, but they eventually got copies with no flaws. So much confusion going on with this record. Every one of them should have been mastered by Kevin Gray and ALL pressed at RTI. I would pay $10-$20 extra if I know it's an RTI pressing and this title is so historically-important that it deserves everything done right .
Thanks for highlighting this! It’s frankly a disgrace. I was about to pre order uk but I’ll see if I can source a us copy🤔
Thank you so much, I've immediately cancelled my UK preorder - if you lived locally I'd be straight 'round with a good bottle of wine! What an absolute farce and what contempt they are showing European customers. Utterly dumb!
Sorry to hear Michael I have the US mine has the bad non fill on the end of side 1 . I was going to order the European version thanks big time for the heads up I hope you get the correct Kevin gray mastered one I’m going to seek a better copy out the album sounds incredible but I’m out to seek a better copy hopefully find a perfect press. Lovellandrew
Very interesting! I ordered from AS at the beginning of April and haven't received it yet. At first it said late April and now May? Must have sold out and waiting for more?
Received my copy yesterday from Amazon... Put it on and immediatelly thought ... Well, not too impressive. Not what I was used to know from KG. I am really pissed.
Unbelievable! All of you who bought this EU version. Just simply return it. That would be a big punch for this issue. If only all of you could see this video. Very important. So wrong in many directions. Thank you Michael.
Hello Michael, thank you for your important information. I really didn't know it and will cancel my orders from Germany. I also own the One-Step but want the Kevin Grey too. I saw acousticsounds has it now on preorder. Do you think they will get the right version again?
Get them to open and take the dead wax before mailing it to you? Just a thought. I am lucky and received a pristine copy, it is worth pursuing!
4:52 Or worse, I turn on 45 RPM Audiophile and *Mazzy* is sitting there!!!😱The horror!!😆That's really a shame. I think they thought the VC wouldn't know the difference. Big mistake to make on such an important album!
Speaking of former guests, we haven't seen either Sonic Flare or Miss LadySoul on your channel in a LONG time. Any plans to have either in an upcoming video?
I am also affected. I can only advise everyone in Germany to write to Universal Germany to really "get on their nerves". In my eyes, this is outright fraud. In addition, many dealers take the goods back only in case of damage. So make pressure, maybe there is an exchange action. I'm served in any case, 48 euros for this shit, a cheek.
The american version is pressed at GZ in europe. Why would they have used two different masters to press on the same plant? Legal issues? Production error?
IMO there are two different pressing plants. The US Version/Kevin Gray Master pressed by GZ Media. The EU Version/Lawrie Master pressed by Dublin Vinyl, but the hype sticker says that is a Kevin Gray Master. Dublin Vinyl is a new Pressing Plant in Ireland, i think.
You never heard that album right until you've heard the DETROIT MIX of it. Best version ever. You can trust me^.
(As far as I know this Detroit mix is only available on CD; 2001 release.)
It was released on vinyl in 2016 (in the UK at least) as a 4 x LP with the original mix and live recording from Kennedy Center Auditorium, half speed mastered at Abbey Road.
I have it on a 4lp set from 2016 half speed master at Abbey Road, also OG UK press with textured sleeve.
Just received a gorgeous (1 X LP) Tamla PROT-7018 (Japan) Detroit Mix reissue on vinyl, 2021. They're available.
Well... I guess Kevin Gray's sound is not that unique after all; if people didn't realized at first that this release from Europe wasn't his mastering. Interesting...
I went through four copies of this release before I found one that was “good enough”. Every copy was scratched or the records cut through the inner sleeves
I agree, this is not a way to conduct business !! Do we collectors need to start double check all our orders? Thanks for the warning Michael 👍
These were also happen to Blue Note 75th Anniversary series LP, all EU pressing Blue Note 75th Anniversary LP not cut by Bernie Grudman.
Wow, this is so disgusting… I was looking forward to the KG Remaster of this release since i ordered it back in November… waiting 6 months and then you dont even get what you ordered.
This is the exposure of the century
I ordered it through one German site on 18 December, still hasn’t received it.
I ordered from Amazon France. They just said that it i's the 2nd December delayed order. We'll see.
Mikey you are correct this is absolutely crazy. Why not have one mastering/pressing for worldwide distribution ?
I was expecting this to finally happen. This Kevin Grey guy is doing thousands of releases, how can he be everywhere at the same time?. The industry knows that his name is a secure seller. So it’s easy to put his name on the hype sticker.
Thank you if it was not for you I was going to buy the EU version :-(
Well thank you for the update Michael. Record is delayed again until May on Amzn fr. Aside from any consideration for the other guy’s work, this is pure scam!
Preordered this from Amazon UK on 15th October 2021, delayed ......again......until May 20th. I’m cancelling.
My goodness. Sounds like a scam to me. Thanks for informing about this🙏... it is great to have and easier to get more and more new good vinyl nowadays. However this is appalling. 😓
I wonder if it's not only in Europe, I'm in Montreal and last Wednesday I received an update from amazon stating that my copy was out on delivery to be received that same day, at the end of the day I received another update saying that it was now delayed and I could cancel my order anytime. Maybe it was recalled. Thanks for posting this, I will check the dead wax, if I ever receive it that is.
please inform us
@@Michael45RPM
Finally received my copy, the dead wax reads krGeca, there is a K and a G and no Lawrie Dunster, so I presume it’s the Kevin Gray master, either way the sound is amazing compared to my other version. Le seul bémol is I find it a little forward sounding, but that could be my taste and system/room.
How do we know that both releases (US and EU) were mastered by different persons since there is no information about that printed on the jacket or elsewhere? We can only see that one was cut by Lawrence Dunster and maybe it affected the end result in that negative way that Micheal complained about. Usually, the person who cut the vinyl also leave his/her signature on dead wax and not that who did the mastering.
@@mazzysmusic Yes, but that's the point. There is the information about the person who cut the lacquer but once again how do we know who did the mastering?
@@mazzysmusic Ok, if Lawrie Dunster stated this then I have no futher questions.
Agreed Michael - what kind of people work at UMe who would do this to such an iconic album?
Clearly not music fans.
No offence to Lawrence Dunster but UMe hyped the s**t out of this having a Kevin Gray AAA cut and now we have to assume the European version is created from digital files?
Beyond angry about this.
I bought this in Sweden a couple of days ago. If I had known this I had never bought the album. Fortunately it was pretty cheap. 23 euros in my local shop.
Tack för varningen. Jag får väl köpa den från usa.
I haven't read all the comments (there are a lot) so maybe I missed this, but I really do not understand why they did this. If I'm not mistaken it is very easy to make multiple stampers from the same cutting, and sent those to the various pressing plants, right?? Could someone enlighten me?
I don't know how they could have done this. I see labels like Rhino create plates at RTI and ship them off to EU plants to press, so the EU & US copies are the same master just pressed in different plants. And I'm guessing that the LAWRIE cut is also from a digital file. Absolute travesty.
My copy finally arrived today, via Amazon UK. Lawrie@curvepusher in the dead wax. No hype sticker. Mastered by Kevin Gray on the inner sleeve, which were in the centre of the gatefold with the records in poly sleeves. Made in the EU on the back cover. As it's my only copy, I'm happy enough... but is the US edition better?
Thanks Michael for information! What an utter fuck-up? Who in their right mind thinks that it would be okay to mislead EU customers like this?
Hi Michael, thanks for the transparency and shame on the Universal marketing. is thereby a way to get the KG remaster on Europe? Only direct order US? That will be costy....If this is a cheat, I do not understand why you further promote the amazon link instead to replace it with a reliable source for the KG remaster.Where shoulder I order?
no idea for europe right mow
I hope there will be an answer for this shady shyt. As a consumer and don’t care how much you paid even if it was a dollar, sorry I am stateside, euro etc. it should be exactly as it promoted on the packaging. Yet on the other side, a production mistake may have been made. I hope the latter is the case because if it wasn’t, then all involved should be held accountable and all who are currently in possession of the wrong version should be made whole.
Universal has been a crapo outfit for a long time. I watched your other video and immediately ordered the record so this was a surprising development.
Being curious how the US/Kevin Grey's mastering do sound I ordered another copy from US Amazon, and it is indeed a different one. Keeping it short, I do more like the sound where the stage seems to me to be wider and instruments sound more present and intense, especially the bass. Also, the printed inner sleeve has better quality, is glossier than those which were added separately to the EU version. If it comes to the print quality of the gatefold cover, the situation is reversed and I like more the EU version where the colours are deeper, and the details are more visible.
Both the US and European versions are pressed by GZ too. This is very confusing.
Amazing video and info, thanks. An explanation is in order from universal or so. This is appalling.
Very simple ansver, profit first, people/collectors/listener second
Just cancelled my order on Amazon. You have to feel sorry for Lawrence Dunster, sure he did a decent enough job, but having waited so long for this and to be lied to in this way, not for me. Sorry.
As I wrote in the thread of the Steve Hoffman forum: it's plain cheating. I am a bit upset about it and lost interest in the product at all. I can't (and surely don't want to) see myself putting quite some effort and even more money into the task of getting the US version after that mess. Would feel like a horse running after the carrot that some bloody company is holding in front of my nose, playing me. Anyway, THX for the video, Michael.