- Swiss Wave The Album

Guide through the different versions:

The compilation was first issued by Swiss independent label [l15964].
After the [url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Swiss-Wave-The-Album/release/6682143]test-pressing[/url], the [url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Swiss-Wave-The-Album/release/5649671]first regular release[/url] was sold. This one has black labels without rim label text and dark purple sleeve with sharp font on sleeve.
The [url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Swiss-Wave-The-Album/release/6725107]second repress[/url] has same label artwork, but a pink sleeve with blurred text on back sleeve. This version also does exist [url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Swiss-Wave-The-Album/release/6683472]with a post-manufacturing sticker[/url], announcing the chart success of Grauzone's "Eisbär". All the versions described before were pressed from a master by [l217004].

A [url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Swiss-Wave-The-Album/release/1078980]later remastered issue, most likely the 3rd version[/url], does exist, showing light pink sleeve and a copyright rim text around the label, which still are black. This version is still known to be exported to other countries due to an [url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Swiss-Wave-The-Album/release/1078980#images/19353150]import sticker[/url]. This is the first release, which is not from the original master by RSO, but from a new master. This can be recognized by the runout groove etching. This and the missing duration for Track B2 is the same as for the following version. The missing track duration disappears for the licensed versions.
Another [url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Swiss-Wave-The-Album/release/1763393]repress of the latter, likely the 4th version[/url], shows a light pink sleeve, but an inverted silver label with copyright rim text around. It is possible, that this repress was manufactured in a stage, when already licensing to record companies abroad started. This would make it the final Swiss release.

In this stage, also an [url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Swiss-Wave-The-Album/release/3684520]UK-version[/url] exists with "Made in UK" on the labels, pressed by [l310516], but still with black label and rim text. This version seems to be pressed also from the original matrix.

Licensed versions:

Versions on italian [l97139]-label:
There are two different versions known to have been issued on Zandra. One is [url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Swiss-Wave-The-Album/release/295278]without label code[/url] on back sleeve and labels, the [url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Swiss-Wave-The-Album/release/2311193]other version[/url] has Zandra LC 6350 printed on back sleeve and labels. Here, the version without LC should be the older one.
The italian versions are pressed in Germany by [l265113] and do come from another master

Version on german [l95679]-label:
The [url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Swiss-Wave-The-Album/release/1078930]GeeBeeDee-version[/url] seems to be the first German distribution of the record. The record itself ressembles the [url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Swiss-Wave-The-Album/release/1763393]4th Off-course-version[/url]. Only the back sleeve gives information about GeeBeeDee. This version is the only, which references a different year from 1980, the back sleeve shows the year 1981.
Interestingly, this version was repressed from the same masters as the Swiss-versions 3 and 4 (with rim text).

Versions on german [l65816]-label:
Two versions are known on this label. The [url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Swiss-Wave-The-Album/release/724321]regular issue[/url] is housed in a pink sleeve with red font "Grauzone"-writing on front sleeve and Babylon labels showing the GEMA-box. The second one is issued as [url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Swiss-Wave-The-Album/release/1263136]picture disc[/url]. Both versions are German, but do show a distribution via BeNeLux. (see back sleeve of regular Babylon-issue).
These German versions were pressed in Germany by [l265018] and do come from a fourth master.

It is not excluded, that still different versions are around. Especially the colouring and artwork of the versions is differing on the versions. It can be deduced from the data, that up to the third version, a time span between July 1980 and end of 1980 was covered. The 4th version and the internationalisation started most likely in 1981.