In Japan many Simon & Garfunkel records were released using the SX 68 system by Sony. I am not technician, but this is what it is about:

” CBS Sony built their cutting system with the Neumann SX-68 head and their own solid state amps and gave the logo “SX-68 Sound” to the record covers.

It was replaced later by SX 68 II and SX 74.

Here’s a release in this series using SX 68 Sound:

SONX 60195 Simon & Garfunkel – Simon & Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits II SX68Sound

Tracks
A1 Mrs. Robinson 4:02
A2 For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her 2:04
A3 The Boxer 5:07
A4 The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) 1:43
A5 The Sound Of Silence 3:02
A6 I Am A Rock 2:50
A7 Scarborough Fair / Canticle Composed By – Art Garfunkel 3:08
B1 Homeward Bound 2:30
B2 Bridge Over Troubled Water 4:52
B3 America 3:34
B4 Kathy’s Song 3:16
B5 El Condor Pasa (If I Could) Composed By – Daniel A. Robles, Jorge Milchberg 3:06
B6 Bookends 1:16
B7 Cecilia 2:55

This one was released in 1972. But of course CBS Sony started releasing Simon & Garfunkel albums in 1968/1969. Here are two examples:

All albums come most of the time in so-called gatefold covers with lots of information (like recording dates). And the sound quality is indeed very good.

The Italy-based (?) Festival label used the same cover as SONX 60195 with that same title, but the tracks were not the same:

• to be continued –