TWINK/THINK PINK NAM 022 (-69/-17) MONO EDITION

For more on the album itself please check my post on the German original. As the story goes first recorded for UK Decca Nova 1969, but withdrawn, and since Decca was one of few UK labels that still made and released both mono and stereo versions at the time and this came out first 1970 on Polydor, the already prepared mono tapes were put aside and forgotten. Then around 2015 they showed up again, as I understand initially issued on CD (Sunbeam SBMSCD 5104), and first 2017 on vinyl. Apart from Twink's original self-release and a test press there seems to be two legit LP variations - one on pink splatter vinyl pressed in Canada and one on black pressed in Czech Republic - both from the same tapes with identical sleeve and inserts. That's all very interesting, but for me the real question is if it's a separate mono mix or not. To my knowledge all UK Decca co. monos from late 1968 and on were more or less adjusted folds from compatible stereos and I don't know any other original Nova mono issues with separate mixes. I've seen sellers claim this mono is "significally different" to the stereo, but not sure what that means. Was a favorable comparison made between the original tapes, between an original vinyl and CD, or someone just commenting the common difference between a one and two channel outcome? Comparing with the rather chaotic stereo original don't take me much further - too much apart in time, space and equipment involved. I do hope it is a separate mix, but listening without prejudice I get what could be signs of a fold - much of it coming out unsensitive to the music with shiftings in density and balance. I'm thinking maybe an early "raw" mix, used as ground for further preparation, but never actually intended for release. In any case it is from some kind of original tapes and considering the weird psych atmosphere of the whole thing it fits ok after all, so a keeper it is. This black vinyl variation came with label as shown here on medium-thick vinyl in a glossy cover, including picture/credit insert, un-attached info sticker, black inner and a 45 with a reissue of the Parlophone "Aquarian Age" single "10.000 Words In A Cardboard Box"/"Good Wizard Meets Naughty Wizard", recorded 1968 by remains of the shortlived "Tomorrow" setting - Twink, John "Junior" Wood and producer/arranger/keybordist Mark P. Wirtz. That btw has top audio and the superior version of "10.000 Words..." (in stereo!) makes it my favorite of the whole package. (Addition 20180207. A friend recently told me he's been in contact with Twink himself who told him the album mono wasn't an actual Decca mix but one he'd done himself for private use. That would explain it.) (MÅW*)