In the life of any release from 4AD is the all-important testing phase.  In this section of Facing the wrong way we have tackled the world of 4AD's white label vinyl test pressings.  Usually manufactured in extremely small quantities, the "white label" has become possibly the most challenging area in collecting releases from 4AD.  Often you will find them for sale from various sources or auctioned online.  More often than not however you will be expected to cough up a hefty premium to make these items yours.  A white label was designed to give the label and artist an idea of how they resulting vinyl edition will sound once it is pressed in mass quantities later on.  Some releases go through many white labels before reaching an official release in stores.  By checking the date stamped onto some of these white labels you can trace a particular release as it goes through various stages of approval from 4AD and the artist in question.  If you have any information that can help fill in some of the gaps in the following pages or know of any other white label details, please let us know here at Facing the wrong way.  This section concentrates on UK related white label vinyl test pressings only...

DESCRIPTION OF LABELS USED ON 4AD TEST PRESSINGS

"A" = white label without any print; sometimes with handwritten information.  These labels were/are used on all formats.

"B" = white label with black lettering:'ECHANTILLON', 'No', 'Editeur', 'Face', 'Date'.  This label was only used on 7" test pressings.

"C" = white label with black lettering. Similar design to the above: 'Échantillon', 'No', 'Editeur', 'Face', 'Date'.  This label was used on 12" and LP test pressings.

"D" = white label with black lettering; different design to versions "B" and "C": 'ÉCHANTILLON', 'Editeur', 'Face', 'No', 'Date'.  This label was only used on 7" test pressings.

"E" = white label with blue lettering: 'Mayking Records Ltd', 'TEST PRESSING', 'SIDE', 'CAT.No', 'DATE', 'MPO'.  This label was used on all formats.  It was first used on BAD 403 and last on CAD 803; it was also used on the rereleases of BAD 5, CAD 113 and BAD 304.

"F" = white label with black lettering: 'MAYKING RECORDS', '01-924 1661', 'TEST PRESSING', 'SIDE', 'CAT.No', 'DATE', 'MPO' plus the Mayking logo.  This label was used on all formats.  It was first used on BAD 804.

"G" = yellow label with black lettering: 'Échantillon' (vertical, left hand side), 'No', 'Editeur', 'Face' (A or B), 'Date'.  This label is being used on all formats.