This is an amazing sounding variation of SABB. I have the record on numerous formats....from seven different vinyl variations, to cassette, to domestically produced CD. This Japanese mini-LP sounds by far the best (except for maybe this remaster by Steven Wilson https://www.discogs.com/release/23385152-King-Crimson-Starless-And-Bible-Black )

Put the headphones on, sit back in your easy chair, and let the genius of this band wash over you with all the precision and love that went into making it. Still hard to believe SABB was recorded primarily live!

Different label layout, because this is Canada pressing, that denoted on labels.

mine is a perfectly quiet copy with great sound. thanks again DGM!

This original canadian pressing is IMO very good. I only have the 40th anniversary SW remix to compare, and honnestly I play more the OG than the SW remix. It feels more organic. I would say that only the first song "The Great Deceiver" sounds better on the 40th anniversary remix. It feels saturated on the OG while Steven Wilson did a great job separating all instruments on the remix. All in all I am very happy with this press.

30th anniversary cd review here, yeah a little dated by still a nice punchy remaster irregardless of age. The instrumental We'll Let You Know & The Nightwatch worth the price of admission. Dated but aged like a fine bottle of cab and nothing like any of the Moog rockers of the period. Purely dynamic, quirky time signatures galore not to mention metronomic like musicianship. Wetton was in prime form both on bass and vocals as was David Cross, Maestro Bruford on the kit and six string perfectionist Fripp. Moody check, instrumentals check, multi instrumental check, brilliant forward thinking compositions check. Timeless and very much relevant music for the thinking listener seeking more than banal entertainment

Which is the the first issue and best?

Multiple Sound Pressings Ltd
With lyric sheet.
Rough pink rim labels?
Or
The EMI Sound Pressing with the smooth pink rim labels? No lyric sheet?

I had both first isues but i sold one with the lyrics sheet and I kept this with the smooth labels.
Which I regret cos I'm still confused which is the first and the best.
I should have kept both.
It's got Sean and Ray on the run out groove.

Finding uk island copies of KC catalog in nice shape is no easy task, but the audible results make the search worthy! this Sean/Ray/Sarc pressing, wich i believe is the original mastering, makes a great balance between the forward, more agressive style and the quiet acoustic and more atmospheric passages. The US copies i listened are not close in quality. This one shows how they made it sound in the first place, the closer you can get from this is the remaster, no matter the source if digital or the repress lp, but listening on the original press is just way other ritual.

Sounds. So. Good. The clarity is impressive, and the bass…. Wow. Surface noise? A little, but only during the quiet parts. It’s vinyl after all, but the benefits are immense.

Very good pressing. No inner groove distortion. Great record as Well.