box tops soul deep

my commercial 45 for the box tops song "soul deep" issued
as mala 12040 states the run time on the label as 2:25 but
actually only runs 2:23....if you fade the mono version on
the remastered/reissued cd from 2:17 to 2:23, you'll
effectively re-create the true vinyl 45 version....

I folded down the stereo vinyl Dimensions track and compared it with the vinyl 45:

LP: Bell 6032; listed (2:26), actual (2:27)
45: Mala 12,040; listed (2:25), actual (2:26).

I have two stock 45 copies, both vinyl, but from different plants and they're both sourced from the same cutting with the word "Bestway" crossed out (one's an ARP pressing; don't know the source of the other, but it isn't Bestway.)

It's tough to do a direct comparison because the single starts off considerably slower than the LP track before gradually picking up speed during the intro and first verse. Although the fades begin at the same spot, the 45 dumps out much more quickly, ending just over four seconds sooner than the LP track.

I don't hear any unique content differences between the two, but the 45 is definitely a dedicated mono mix and not a fold-down of the stereo track. The organ during the intro, the guitar during the second and last verses and the piano during the bridge are noticeably more upfront on the mono 45. Part of that is due to those same instruments being shunted to the far left or right in the stereo soundstage, but even in the stereo mix, the guitar and especially the piano during the bridge don't jump out the way they do on the 45.