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Adolescent Sex single

Adolescent Sex was the title track of Japan's debut album. It was re-recorded in Spring 1978, sounding far punchier and possessing real "hit potential". This happened in Germany and the Netherlands where the single became Japan's first top 30 hit.  In the UK, the track was released as the "other side" to "The Unconventional" (a double A side, though you can't really tell from the sleeve).  

spanish
shut up

Spain April 1978

Hand in fly picture sleeve lifted from the UK press campaign for the album of the same name. Both sides feature the versions from the album "Adolescent Sex".

A: Adolescent Sex  3.43
B: Don't Rain On My Parade 2.54

Spanish 7" Hansa 15502A.

There is also a rare version of this release with "Shut Up" written on the rear sleeve in the place of "Don't Rain On My Parade". Thankyou to Martin and Twan for providing information about this collectable.  


flexi


Japanese Flexidisc 1978

This rarity was given away as part of a mail-in offer connected with the Japanese release of the Adolescent Sex album. It is a fairly thick red vinyl 7" flexidisc. It does contain some unique material, with Sylvian reading lyrics to Adolescent Sex (2 versions), Lovers On Main Street and Suburban Love in Japanese. There is no musical content, but this is still interesting as a unique item. Thanks to Gerrit for the sleeve image.

  1. Adolescent Sex (2.03)
  2. Adolescent Sex (2.25)
  3. Lovers On Main Street (2.36)
  4. Suburban Love (2.33)

Victor FM-6512


Dutch single

Dutch back sleeve

Holland 7" Hansa 100.172.

A: Adolescent Sex (re-recorded version) 4.12
B: Sometimes I Feel So Low 3.39

This reached No27 in the Dutch charts and was Japan's first successful single.

Note that the German single uses the same catalogue number but has a different sleeve. The Dutch single has the correct running time noted for "Adolescent Sex", while the German pressing does not. 

Dutch label


Australian 7" RCA Victor 103308

A: Adolescent Sex (re-recorded version) 4.12
B: Sometimes I Feel So Low 3.39

Thanks to Gary for the Australian info and scans.



bside
German

German 7" Hansa 100.172. 


The A side label incorrectly states that the song is the album version, running time 3.43. The back of the sleeve is an advertisement for the Adolescent Sex and Obscure Alternatives albums. Later pressings were put in a swirly generic sleeve. 

A: Adolescent Sex (re-recorded version) 4.12
B: Sometimes I Feel So Low 3.39 

German label










French
7" Carrere 49.466.

Thanks to Gerard. Same sleeve as the German (see picture) but with a "Carrere" logo and a very small "made in France" type message on Sylvian's trousers. Don't strain your eyes girls, it's only on the back sleeve which is not shown here. The French labels are injection moulded and do show the correct running time.

A: Adolescent Sex (re-recorded version) 4.12
B: Sometimes I Feel So Low 3.39

Thanks to Toby for the scan of the French sleeve and label.

sexitaly.jpg (19960 bytes)

italian

Top - promo pic sleeve, bottom - stock copy.


Italian 7" 1979

Cover scen courtesy of Roberto Spiga. To view a large version of the image, including the record label, click here.

It was thought that this item was a promotional-only release and was never commercially issued as a single in Italy, but the Ozboyz managed to track down a stock copy with black/grey labels in a company sleeve.

"The unique picture sleeve features the same group shot on both sides with a blue block header at the top featuring 'JAPAN' in large red letters and the title tracks in smaller yellow letters - 'ADOLESCENT SEX' on the front and 'TRANSMISSION' on the reverse.

The back cover also carries the following credit: 'Distribuzione: DURIUM S.P.A. - MILANO - MADE IN ITALY'.

The large centre hole of the label is bordered with a black lower-case 'd' - the logo representing the Durium Marche Estere label subsidiary of Hansa. It also has the wording 'Disco Campione - Vietata La Vendita' to signify it's promotional staus on both sides."

Description above courtesy of eil.com 

A: Adolescent Sex (re-recorded version) 4.12
B: Transmission 4.45

Catalogue number: Durium DE-3068. (Thanks Lucio).


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