Isaac Hayes-"Theme From Shaft" update

Guys, as I began to time my original 1971 commercial 45s tonight, I found that I had FOUR different original stock 45 copies for this one. One has the older, blocked, blue and yellow Enterprise insignia, with "Enterprise", in big yellow letters, just to its right, featuring a deadwax of "EM-00746." This exact number is also noted, in small print, on the 45 label. This first 45 is on vinyl, is in mono, and is the one we've long considered the "true" 45 version, which means it's missing the lyrics "mother" and "damn right." My next two 45s are also on vinyl, but features the "newer" Enterprise multi-colored "E" design. In small print, on both of these 45s, it states "EM-00746 SP". Both of these are also the "true" 45 versions, and have deadwaxes of "EM-00746-1 9-27-71" and "EM-00746-2 9-27-71", respectively. All 3 of these initial commercial 45s have a listed time of (3:15), but an actual time of (3:14). Nothing earth shattering so far, I know. HOWEVER, my final commercial 45 is a TOTALLY different story. First off, it was put out on styrene, not vinyl. This includes the same "ENA-9038" label catalog number info as my other three stock 45s, but the "small print" number is different: "ES-00747". But this commercial 45 copy is in STEREO, not mono, features the newer label logo, and DOES feature both the "mother" and "damn right" lyrics on it!!! Here's my deadwax info for this copy: "T ES-0747-1 -L NIN-", with the end info actually looking more like "-L NIIX-" to the naked eye. So, this new discovery seems to legitimize many of the current database CD appearances, Pat. Although this "stereo 45 version" is not the one I remember hearing on the AM radio back in 1971 (the "true" 45 version is), at appears certain that at least a few commercially-issued 1971 45s for this song, including one of my four copies, were put out this way. Additionally, this final commercial 45 copy has both a listed and actual time of (3:15). Good luck trying to succinctly explain all this in your database, Pat. I tried to be as complete with all of the many details as possible.

jimct wrote: This includes the same "ENA-9038" label catalog number info as my other three stock 45s....

Brian, I'm with you, my friend - I thought of that possibility as well. But it has the same flip side as the three others, in addiion to the EXACT same catalog number! I simply do not have a SHRED of evidence to make me believe this stereo 45 of mine isn't an original 1971 issue!

Pat, after reading your update for "Shaft," I wonder if the term "standard 45 version" might be more accurate than "true 45 version" in this case.

I have one of those oddball Stereo 45 pressings with the
newer label design. This was released in early 1972 when
the song was becoming a re-current. It was indeed mastered
by L. Nix. My copy was pressed by PL (Plastic Products in
Memphis). The earlier 45 singles were mastered by Harold
Craft at MasterCraft in Memphis and were mono and edited
versions. I own one of those copies as well with the
original style Enterprise label. My early single was given
to me by the Stax promo rep. The late copy I bought new
when I saw it was Stereo 7 months later in 1972.

Edited by KentT

I can't say whether or not Jim's stereo single was an end-of-chart-run pressing made from a different master or a reissue, but I can say that it was NOT the stereo promo version. The stereo side of my promo is the same edit as the mono side ("damn right" and "mother" being ducked), only in stereo.