Björk – Debut

This is one of two original 1993 pressings of the second edition release with the extra track 'Play Dead'. It was pressed by PMDC in .

Key characteristics are: (1) The last page of the booklet neither contains a "Made in England" reference nor mentions the Antonio Jobim sample. (2) The back cover shows a BIEM/STEMRA reference next to the barcode. (3) The CD label contains a BIEM/STEMRA reference on the centre-left. (4) The CD matrix has no IFPI codes.

However, these characteristics are not unique to this release, the other original pressing comes with the same features. The only way to distinguish these pressings, and to identify one's version, is to examine the matrix of the CD carefully. A complete overview of all European CD pressings can be found further below.

Issued in a jewel case with a hype sticker reading: * BJORK "DEBUT" 521 323-2. Includes a 12-page booklet featuring lyrics and credits; the booklet does not include credit for the samples used on track 1.

The durations given on the release for tracks 7 ('One Day', 5:24) and 8 ('Aeroplane', 3:54) are inaccurate, the durations entered above are correct. Features approx. one minute of silence between track 11 ('The Anchor Song') and track 12 ('Play Dead').

From the booklet:

"I must have listened to each of these tracks more than 500 times since we started. Everything's long since finished but I'm still listening to these songs everyday. I'm wondering...will this ever stop???!! We are so lucky to have Björk's voice!!" Nellee.

Studios: Wild Bunch, Olympic, Townhouse, Livingston, Matrix, Swanyard, Workhouse - London, Beats Studio - Bombay & Summa Studio - L.A.
Mastered at The Exchange.
Thanks to Judy Blame.

Publishers:
1, 2, 4, 6 & 10: Polygram Music/Warner Chappell.
3, 7, 8, 9 & 11: Polygram Music Publishing Ltd.
5: Chappell Morris Ltd.
12: Copyright Control/Polygram Music Publishing Ltd./Warner Chappell Music Ltd.

'Play Dead' by Björk and David Arnold. Taken from the soundtrack album for the film 'The Young Americans'.

℗ 1993 Bapsi Ltd/One Little Indian Ltd except 12 ℗ 1993 Island Records Ltd.
© 1993 Bapsi Ltd/One Little Indian Ltd.
The copyright in this recording is owned by Bapsi under licence to One Little Indian and is exclusively licenced to Mother Records Ltd. Marketed and distributed by Polydor except in by Barclay.

- How to identify your copy -

The European CD 521 323-2 has been released in a bewildering number of pressings, and a combination of information found on the jewel case, in the booklet, on the CD label and in the matrix must be considered to identify a particular release.

However, please note that all releases with an Island Records reference are for distribution in and do not belong to the below family of European CD releases.

(1) There are two original releases, probably pressed in parallel: the first PMDC pressing (Unknown v1). They may come with a hype sticker reading "Björk Debut 521 323-2". These two releases have three things in common that distinguish them from later reissues: The CD matrix has no IFPI codes. The last page of the booklet contains no "Made in England" provision. The last page of the booklet does not make reference to the Antonio Jobim sample. Both releases have BIEM/STEMRA references on the back cover and the CD label, but so do later reissues - this is not a unique identifier.

All other pressings are reissues. They read "Made in England" in the booklet, mention the sample and have IFPI codes. However, their back covers, CD labels and CD matrices differ.

(2) This PMDC pressing (PMDC v2, Made in ) is the only reissue displaying a BIEM/STEMRA reference next to the barcode. It may also come with a round sticker on the jewel case reading "Björk Debut + Play Dead 521 323 2".

All the remaining reissues read "Made in England" in the booklet, mention the sample, have IFPI codes in their CD matrix - and feature a small white block next to the barcode rather than the above-mentioned BIEM/STEMRA reference.

(3) This Universal pressing (Universal v1, Made in the UK) shows the white block next to the barcode, but still reads BIEM/STEMRA on the CD label. This version may come with a "Universal Music for the World" sticker on the jewel case.

(4) Remaining releases have a white block right to the barcode and BIEM/MS on the CD label, i.e. there is no BIEM/STEMRA reference at all on back cover or CD label. They can only be distinguished by their CD matrix and include two more PMDC pressings (Disctronics v1).