Master Emerald, thank you for trying. Looks like their hands are tied. Such a shame as there is a HUGE difference in quality and SEGA couldn't be bothered to care.
Good email dude, nice one for trying. But it seems to me that they just fobbed you off there, which is a real shame. I find it strange that they wouldn't want to or can be bothered to get this right.
Maybe SEGA simply no longer has the original masters and/or those prototype loops? They could have either trashed them or someone out there on this planet has them in a collection.
The original masters the tracks on the Sonic CD disc itself. They're lossless 44.1KHz CDDA. The prototype loops may not be in SEGA's posession though.
The only problem there is that we don't really know if there's more to those masters as in prototype versions where it abruptly ends and in the final version where they just fade. Some of the loops such as the one for the boss sound like the proper ending to the track.
It'll be awesome to read the liner notes - I don't think there's been a single peep out of the composers about this soundtrack for 25+ years!
I have the 20th anniversary Sonic CD release and IIRC that had a ton of notes in it (in Japanese). but I was under the impression we had that already. if needed, I could scan them in
I got my copy of the blue disk version in the mail recently. I'm pretty impressed overall, and the unused etched side is pretty snazzy.
Just received my copy today. I'm listening to it while I'm writing this and I've got no complaints. I must say the put a LOT of love into the packaging. There are even prints of Time Stones on the inside of the sleeve. Heres a few photos. Front Cover Back Cover Vinyl Time Stones Sleeve Thank you letter Art work Art work Art work EDIT: FIXED
I got mine a couple of days ago and yes, it's fantastic. I didn't even notice the etching at first though, my mother spotted it (they brought it over, it was sent to my address before I moved out)! Also they're Time Stones, not Chaos Emeralds =P