RINGO STARR/SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY BTL 1012 BRAZIL MONO VS. PCS 7101 UK STEREO

After mono issues were dropped by Apple in UK 1969 some South American countries kept on releasing them up to 1972 - the last one being the Brazil "Wings Wild Life" (BTL 1018). While most of them were folds at least one had totally different mixes - Brazil "Hey Jude" (BTL 1009) https://monolover.blogspot.com/2013/01/beatleshey-jude-btl-1009-70-mono-brazil.html . Others used the same cuts as the stereos but differ so much they can be regarded as separate versions. This is one of those. Comparison made between the mono and a UK first press - mimicking a fold down by pushing the mono button. The reason I'm choosing the UK stereo as a reference is Brazil Apple used same stamped matrix no. system as UK - in this case mono matrix "XEX-771/XEX-772". You don't have to listen many seconds to hear that it isn't a straight reduction, but has been tweaked in some way. The UK press is not 100% compatible - it comes through as rather flat and borderline muddy at parts, lacking separation and spunk. This is something else. From the title track bass intro till the last strings of "Let The Rest Of The World Go By" it's a lot more dynamic, with perfect balance, differing from both the stereo or a fold down. You get every single part - vocals, base, strings, drums - with awesome separation, loud and clear. All cuts seems to have the same timing as UK and apart from improved audio, balance and and more prominent base all through I can hear no signs of a separate mix. Still the audio makes it an alternate version and I don't have a clue how or where it was made. Maybe due to lack of compability a slightly altered version was made for the UK reel-to-reel mono (TA-PMC 7101) and then sent along, or the Brazilians had the tools to make it themselves. I don't know. What I do know is it debunks the stereo or any attempt to fold down. The power and clarity provides a much better listening experience. First Brazil press with label as shown here and wrapping as plastic covered sheets with a glossy black inner. Premiere UK had dark Apple label and fully laminated cover with narrow spine and white "Patents no." inner. (BÄ*)(SÖMI*) (CPYC*) (ÄPLÄ*) (RYNX*)(MÅW*)