Japanese Versions of Ryko's 1995 (and later) CDs
In April
and May 1995, Ryko released most of Zappa's catalogue in one big line of CDs, known to
Zappa fans as the 1995 CDs. You can read about them in general in Ryko's
"Hot Poop" press release, and additionally on the
individual pages for each album, accessible from the Vinyl
vs CDs index. They all have catalogue numbers starting at RCD 10501 (Freak Out!), with a one-per-disc increment.
The Japanese version of the '95 line is a bit different. The audio
part is the same (except for Strictly
Commercial, which has other tracks), but the packaging is enhanced, with an obi 
(wrap-around paper-strip with Japanese print - like the American/European 1995 CDs
all had a paper strip with English print - that is used in Japan instead of printing
a Japanese cover) and an extra booklet accompanying each disc. The
booklet contains transcriptions of all song lyrics and all spoken parts on the album, plus
Japanese liner notes. (The extra booklet probably necessitates extra-thick jewel cases, as
is not uncommon in Japan.) They are licensed to the VideoArtsMusic company, who is responsible for
the Japanese packaging, and they have the Ryko RCD catalogue number on the discs (because
it's the same discs) and a VideoArtsMusic catalogue number in the VACK 5100 series
(with some exceptions) on the
obi and booklet. (For some reason, the VACK numbers are not at all in the same order as
the RCD numbers.)
1998 (Or Earlier)
In 1998 (or earlier), the Japanese line was, for some reason, given new VACK numbers: mostly in the 5200 series. Though 200 Motels got 5380/1, and Just Another Band from LA, The Lost Episodes, Have I Offended Someone?, Strictly Genteel and Mystery Disc were not renumbered.
- Go to our Japanese/Chinese page (requires Japanese language support)
Informants
- Yoji Miyazaki
- Dr. István Fekete
- Mikael Agardsson
Footnote
According to my sources (Isamu Shimizu and Mikael Agardsson), the albums below were issued on vinyl in Japan.
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Isamu Shimizu has pictures of many of these on his World's Greatest Sinner's Homepage. Freak Out!, Absolutely Free and We're Only In It for the Money had unique Japanese covers. Freak Out! copies complete with original obi were worth at least 100,000 yen in Japan in the late '90s.