Mel Williams-Experts Help Needed

[Northern Soul Uk]

Please can someone help?
I have a copy of 'Mel Williams - Can it be me' and I need to find out it it's a proper one on not.

 

I am sure that one of the experts will be able to tell the difference straight away, but I have

been looking in 'Manships guide' and it is hard to decide what is what.

 

On the run out wax, very close to the end groove is scratched in tiny text  'MM 1023-1'

 

I have attached images that may help. I'm not bothered if it's not orig', but need to know why it is what it is.

 

Thank you

Steve

[45cellar]

Can It Be Me - Mel Williams - Modern

The Stock Copy & White DEMO have Identical Matrix Details.




The deadwax on both DEMO & Stock Copy is ONLY about 7mm - On original copies Matrix scratched in "MM-1023-1"
( The matrix is small, about 2mm tall and situated between run off groove and playing area -
as soon as it was possible to fit it in - almost touching groove above and below it)
 
 Run off groove in the deadwax spirals to centre quite quickly within one turn of disc - 270 degees

Almost ALL of the DEMO copies have black marker pen through the  Promotional Copy - Not For Sale, Area.
(Even the Counterfeit Copies tried to copy this)

 

However, clean copies may exist.

Tiny Text close to Run Off certainly Ticks one of the boxes.

I hope that this helps and hope that It is an Original.

The lack of Marker Pen is quite rare, Enjoy.

 

[Soul-slider]

So, I'm presuming it was booted as both red issue and white demo then?

[Northern Soul Uk]

Thank you, It is so hard to tell this is what I know for sure.

The matrix MM-1023-1 is tiny nearly touching the end groove, the run out is less than a full turn and

The run out grove is also 7mm, I just measured it.
Hopefully a better photo attached.

 

Any other sure way of telling?
Thanks for your input 45celler

Edited May 26, 2013 by Northern Soul UK

[Guest]

I'm no expert but the demo copy you have pictured is an original.  

The matrix numbers are exactly right.

The right size and most important, in the right relation to the run out grooves.

(Also the paper and print of the label has just the right look)

Edited May 26, 2013 by Guest

[Guest]

So, I'm presuming it was booted as both red issue and white demo then?

No, the bootlegs are WD lookalikes only.

In fact, original red label stock copies used to be fairly rare.

Such a great slab of Northern...doesn't upset the bank manager too much either!

Edited June 1, 2013 by Flynny

[Soul-slider]

Thanks Flynny, my red issue is (as I thought) kosher then

[Guest]

Thanks Flynny, my red issue is (as I thought) kosher then

Some folk may say that the red stocker is the way to own it in order to avoid any bootleg confusion of a WD...or is that what they say about Joe Matthews on Kool Kat hohoho! I'll stick to my WDs ;)

[Pete S]

Red ones turned up in 'the find' mid 2000's

[Kris Holmes]

Red ones turned up in 'the find' mid 2000's

yeah, no longer rare after that hit.  even i got one ha ha ha.  Great track.

[Soul-slider]

yeah, no longer rare after that hit.  even i got one ha ha ha.  Great track.

That's when I got mine, around that time. Think it was about £25 

[Guest]

One of the best Run to the Dancefloor opening 1st few bars of all time!