The Police ‎– Ghost In The Machine

I'll agree with everyone else here, this pressing sounds amazing and there is no surface noise on my copy.

Of the 12 variations in the runouts of the only U.K. LP entry for Ghost In The Machine LP, my U.K. LP copy is not listed above.
Side 1: AMLK 63730 A2 STERLING TJ
Side 2: AMLK 63730 B7 STERLING TJ

Terribly compressed remaster. F you Bob Ludwig for ruining this fantastic original recording.

Can someone who compared with actual original copies and other top notch releases chime in on how this compares?

It's interesting how the same album can sound so different depending on its sound production and format (vinyl V CD). For an album with a history, before buying it, I research what reviewers have to say about the sound quality of particular releases. Some reviewers have fantastically detailed comments about specific recordings and even know the full range of recordings if they are a fan. Their knowledge is so useful. Why buy a dud recording when another release sounds so much better? Also, some professed 'remasters' sound worse than their originals.

My collection started with vinyl and remains predominantly vinyl. However, I don't convert that preferance to bias. I have a few SACDs - generally I am pleased with the sound production.The Dead Can Dance and Depeche Mode SACDs are brilliant. The David Bowie Let's Dance SACD is another worth getting (it startles you when you first hear it - what a good recording should do).

However, listening to this SACD of Ghost in the Machine, I'm not impressed. Some bits sound good, generally the instruments are strong . . . however, Sting's singing is distinctly quiet, sounding weak. At some points it sounds as though he is singing in another room (doors / windows all shut), NOT because of a weak voice, but simply down to sound production (I would guess failure: I can't imagine it being a deliberate production choice). The instruments tend to drown out Sting's voice and I don't think it's a matter of taste - it seems off balance. Surely the voice is not an accompaniment to music, the voice is at the helm and should clearly be in the foreground - not in this recording.

I'd be interested to hear what others think?

compré esta versión apenas salió en venta en mi país y mi sorpresa ha sido tremenda, el sonido de este registro es asombroso, potente, limpia, brillante.
Por suerte cuento con dos copias de este albun, una first press del 81 UK y otra USA del 81 y la calidad de esta edición es realmente maravillosa.
nunca lo imagine, además de ser este uno de mis albumes favoritos, sería increible que incluyeran el resto de los albumes de la banda con este nivel, ya que, la reedición de outlandos d'amour hecha por back to black es pésima

all of these Canadian releases have the jacket number vs the label number except one club issue ... this is not very helpful

This release sounds fantastic. Really brilliant and sharp. The mix is also very good, every instrument stands out the way it should. The music itself is mesmerizing, the style they achieved here is simply unique. In my opinion this is the most underrated Police album.

I’m in total disagreement about these stupid “ Original Editions” vinyl replica CDs being considered authentic! I may be wrong , but I’ve owned a couple of these and they sound like crap! I was told that they where made for the UK market, but both copies I’ve owned say “it is a violation of law to import these into Japon (misspelled Japan)” I’ve listened to these type editions , one from Elton John , the other from The Rolling Stones - Beggars Banquet, the 2006 DSD remastered Box Set I personally purchased from Disk Union while in Japan! It came in a box with Promo OBIs! The ones I personally purchased from Disk Union and shipped home are now listed as counterfeit copies! I bought the damn Promo Box Set from the source, Disk Union, and they sound great as they are DSD remastered!

These “Original Editions” sound completely different in a terrible way! The copies of these Police CDs with the white Japanese square in the corner that don’t have this “black label” on the plastic bag are no doubt the Japanese official releases! These may indeed be official releases, but why? I’m sure they sound equally as awful as the two I owned, but they don’t have the promo OBIs that my Promo Set from Disk Union came with! Why make CDs for the UK with Japanese OBIs, booklets and writing? It makes no sense to me at all! I’ve asked several Japanese sellers about these CDs and all I got was that they are either counterfeit or made for the UK! So will someone clearify what makes these official releases and why?

In my personal opinion and experience these are just as fake as the Russian and other European countries! How did these get the okay for authenticity anyway? I know mine are the real thing as I have a friend who lives in Tokyo and bought this set pre-order from Disk Union!