Question About Motown Master Numbers [Post 1970]

[Johnny Raven]

Hi everyone! I'm new here, and I love studying the creative process that goes into recording music [[I really like studying recording dates).
A while back, I found an acetate for a shelved Michael Jackson album recorded in 1973, and there are some master numbers, and they seem to relate to when each song was recorded. I also found some other Motown acetates and track sheets with similar master numbers on them:


These numbers are different from numbers found on older recordings from the 1960s. Each of these is a 5-digit code, followed by one more number, then a letter. For example, the Michael Jackson song "Melody" [[shown on the acetate) has the master number 61836-6-A, and the song "Farewell [[My Summer Love)" has the number 62353-3-A. I've seen another acetate for the Jackson 5 album Get It Together, and it had similar number codes. "Dancing Machine" had #62285, "It's Too Late to Change The Time" had #62267, and "You Need Love Like I Do [[Don't You)" had #62243, to name a few. Does anybody know how this numbering system works and what the letters mean? Also, does anybody know where I can find more Michael Jackson/Jackson 5 acetates and track sheets with master numbers and/or recording dates on them?

Thanks!

[mysterysinger]

Motown kept detailed records of the "master numbers" - the primary number used to identify each and every Motown recording. These numbers were used to determine where any song could be located on the master tapes kept within the tape vaults. Even alternate, unreleased takes of a particular song received a master number. All of Motown's mastering information was recorded on file cards and stored in a special room at Motown HQ.

The biggest of the Motown singles series is the 60000 series which Motown started when it moved its headquarters from Detroit to Los Angeles. Started in 1970, this series continued through to June 1988 when Motown was sold to Boston Ventures.

The number 62353 for "Farewell [[My Summer Love)" is also shown on the single of that record.

I'm sure you would find Reginald J Bartlette's book "Off The Record. Motown By Master Number 1959 - 1989" fascinating. Whilst this is mainly aimed at singles - the master numbers being taken from the singles - hence Off The Record - the master numbers will also follow for all recordings. LPs don't usually show them.

The book also gives information on the various codes used over the years. The above information comes from thebook.

Google books https://www.google.co.uk/books/editi...NgAACAAJ?hl=en

Internet Archive
https://archive.org/details/offrecordmotownb00bart

[mysterysinger]

The "Farewell My Summer Love" album was subsequently released - including the tracks shown on your acetate except for "I'll Come Home To You" - which was released on the "Forever Michael" and also "One Day In Your Life" albums.

Also, just in case you didn't know there's plenty of recording information on the DFTMC website for Motown up to 1972. "Don't Forget The Motor City".

http://www.dftmc.info/

[Johnny Raven]

So, in the case of "Farewell [[My Summer Love), master number 62353, does that mean it was the 2,353rd song recorded/mastered after Motown moved it's headquarters to LA?

Do those master numbers align with when a song was first recorded? Like, if you arrange the tracks according to master number, will that give you an idea of the order in which they were recorded?

Finally, is there anyone on the forum who may have more acetates and track sheets with master numbers? And are there any addition online resources where I can find info in master numbers and recording dates?

Thanks.

[mysterysinger]

Your theories sound fine to me - the starting point of the 60000 series is 1970. Others will know better.

There'll be forum members who will own acetates and can provide their own info. Occasionally they turn up on Ebay. You could try searching for info on Discogs such as here for a Thelma acetate [[but no track master numbers shown)

https://www.discogs.com/release/1755...o2XVFsNl31bXjP

1965 acetate
https://www.discogs.com/release/2620...U6OTExNDAyNDU=

Try searching this forum for previous discussions on the topic - such as this one re Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons 60000 Motown masters
https://soulfuldetroit.com/showthrea...master+numbers

Also give 45Cat a try -
https://www.45cat.com/45_search.php?...+acetate&sm=se

Also - sometimes promo records have master numbers on them too - such as this Bobby Darin one I have -
Side One
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cookep...oVN7RT-2oVRdCk

Side Two
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cookep...VN7RT-2oVRdCk/

[Johnny Raven]

Thanks for the info!

So, the master numbers are assigned to a recording right after the session ends [[unless it's not considered good enough to finish and release). These master numbers may be reused when a song is overdubbed.

I made a chronological list of Jackson 5 songs according to their master numbers, similar to a list that forum member @jaorecords made years ago. He used dates from CD booklets and Wikipedia, and listened to Michael's voice on each track. Thankfully, I've found master numbers for most of their singles and b sides, and that's way more accurate than Wikipedia.
Also shout out to @jaorecords for making an impressive list!

https://www.mjjcommunity.com/threads...6/post-4528098

Harry Weinger was the executive producer of several Michael Jackson/Jackson 5 Motown compilations, and he knew a lot of info. Does anyone know where to contact Weinger, or someone else at Universal, who may have access to master numbers and recording session info from the Motown vaults?