While looking at something on the web about DIDX numbers on CDs, I found it curious that Herb Alpert's RISE has a DIDX number 3 - apparently just behind two Police albums at 1 and 2.
Wondering if I had that early issue, I pulled out my old CD of RISE and sure enough, there was the DIDX 3 on the back insert in parentheses next to the catalog number. I looked this CD up on Discogs - it's CD 3714 - and mine is different from what's pictured there.
My actual disc does not have a DIDX number - instead it looks more like the version for Germany as pictured on Discogs, but is missing the [GEMA] box and the (LCxxx) number. My disc was made in West Germany, yet it has the US catalog number of CD 3714, mirroring all the way to the hub, no bar code on the back, and a smooth-sided jewel case.
I guess what happened was that West Germany's CD plant was pressed into service in addition to Japan to provide discs to the US at that early stage of the game. My inserts were printed in the US.
Wondering if I had that early issue, I pulled out my old CD of RISE and sure enough, there was the DIDX 3 on the back insert in parentheses next to the catalog number. I looked this CD up on Discogs - it's CD 3714 - and mine is different from what's pictured there.
My actual disc does not have a DIDX number - instead it looks more like the version for Germany as pictured on Discogs, but is missing the [GEMA] box and the (LCxxx) number. My disc was made in West Germany, yet it has the US catalog number of CD 3714, mirroring all the way to the hub, no bar code on the back, and a smooth-sided jewel case.
I guess what happened was that West Germany's CD plant was pressed into service in addition to Japan to provide discs to the US at that early stage of the game. My inserts were printed in the US.