THE RIVER rare Mexican single sleeve 2LP

A rare Mexican reissue copy released in 1986 under sealed conditions, although the shrink is torn here and there.

This is not a highly sought-after gate-fold release (CBS LP2S-103) of the double album, but the single sleeve reissue (CBS LP2S-125) out sometime in 1986. Searching through the internet for the original Mexican release many years ago, I found this particular copy in sealed conditions on set sale at a local shop in Mexico. The sealed original gate-fold sleeve copy for 19.00 euro!!! I thought this was a bargain price because back then, I was NOT aware of the existence of the single sleeve version at all.

Reissue as indicated by "1986" found in the credit on the rear sleeve

Mexican postal service is relatively slow, and it took one month to deliver here. I remember when the airmail package arrived, I rushed and opened it immediately. However, what turned out was not the LP copy I expected. Of course, there was no fault for the Mexican seller, and it was completely my rudimentary mistake not to confirm the catalog number and not to ask if the sleeve of this copy was the gate-fold or not before placing the order.

Compared to the original US release that is box-like, the LP jacket of the Mexican reissue is very thin.
Top, US "CBS Special Products" version; Middle, US regular copy; Bottom, Mexican 2nd issue.

The Spanish titles are also printed on each
record label with the catalog number
LP2S-125, but not LP2S-103.
(taken from a recent eBay auction)

In fact, the single-sleeve version is not as rare as the gate-fold edition, but it is still hard to find. The sleeve rather resembles the US "CBS Special Products" version because the spine is considerably thin for two vinyl discs (see the picture above). As often seen with Mexican LP releases, the album tracks are listed in both English and Spanish. Compared to the US release, the rear sleeve carries additional descriptions regarding album credit and copyright license. Also, on the top right of the rear is an empty box space where the bar code is printed on the sleeve of the US releases. Instead, the bar code sticker is glued on the shrink on the left top of the rear sleeve, which turned brownish and almost unreadable due to aging. Although not certain as my copy is still sealed, the second pressing also comes with the inner sleeves but seems not to contain the lyric sheet, according to my private search.