AUTOBAHN (Germany, 1985)
EMI 264 24 0070 4


Here's one I've wanted to post before, as it's both "key" and quite nice in itself - but I've postponed it in case I'd find a better copy! Here's the German 1985 edition of Autobahn, in a rather battered condition.

 

So anyway. I claim that the country of release is Germany, but as you see from the pictures, it has "Made in Holland" inside the spine. However, the credits are written in German, and even the copyright info and legalese is presented in both German and English. It could theoretically still have been sold in other EU countries, but pending further info, I'll list this as a German release. (I've previously presented an edition of Computerwelt, with "Made in E.E.C." on both J-card and cassette shell, which was clearly only made for the German market, and the "Deutsche Version" of Electric Cafe was probably manufactured in Holland as well)


This German reissue has a lovely J-card: full-colour, 2-sided, 2-panel. The front is based on the original cassette, with the "Road sign" graphics, although omitting the black frame of the 1974 issue. The right panel has the tracklist and credits, with credits to Klaus Roeder for Violin on Mitternacht, and with Emil credited for cover right next to the more permanent band members. Turning the J-card, though, the inside has the beautiful Emil Schult painting, across a panel and a half - so much larger than the ones that have the painting on the front (like the UK 1985 edition). The painting is probably taken from the LP cover, as it is slightly cropped, maybe to get the album title out, but it's pretty nice for a cassette none the less. Cassette is cream-coloured with brown print.


So yeah, a fine item, and one I'd happily revisit for this blog should I come across a better copy! Hope the beauty of it shines through the wear and tear though!






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