OSBOURNE, OZZY the other side of ozzy osbourne 28AP2982

Rare Heavy Metal Treasures: Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘The Other Side of Ozzy Osbourne’ Japanese Promo (28AP 2982)

Today’s entry highlights a highly coveted Japan-exclusive compilation that remains a essential piece for any serious Ozzy collector. We are examining the 1985 Japanese Promo Pressing of The Other Side of Ozzy Osbourne, released on CBS/Sony with the catalog number 28AP 2982.

A Vault of B-Sides and Live Intensity

Released on February 25, 1985, this album served as a special collection for the Japanese market, gathering rare studio B-sides and high-energy live recordings that were not available on standard studio albums at the time. It provides a fascinating look at the “other side” of Ozzy’s solo career during the transition from the early 1980s into the Jake E. Lee era.

The first side is anchored by powerful live performances recorded at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah, on March 18, 1984. These tracks, featuring Jake E. Lee on guitar, include blistering versions of “Mr. Crowley,” “I Don’t Know,” and “Suicide Solution.” The side also features the studio rarity “You, Looking At Me Looking At You,” which was originally a B-side from the Blizzard of Ozz sessions, and the live B-side “You Said It All.”

The second side offers more live ferocity with “Bark At The Moon” and a cover of the Black Sabbath classic “Paranoid.” Most importantly for collectors, it includes the studio tracks “One Up The ‘B’ Side” and “Spider.” These tracks were originally issued as B-sides for the Bark At The Moon singles and showcase the band’s creative output during one of their most popular periods.

Rare Promo and Collector Specifications

This specific copy is a rare Promo Sample, distinguished by the Japanese characters for “Sample” (見本盤) printed on the center labels. Promotional copies like this were produced in very small numbers for radio stations and industry professionals, and they are often sought after by audiophiles for their early-press sound quality.

The record is complete with its original Obi strip, which is a critical component for maintaining its value in the collector’s market. It also includes a detailed fold-out insert featuring lyrics in both English and Japanese along with liner notes by Noriyuki Fukuoka. Between the rare tracks and the high manufacturing standards of CBS/Sony Japan, this release stands as a definitive document of Ozzy Osbourne’s mid-80s dominance.

It is a perfect archive of the Prince of Darkness at his peak, presented with the premium quality and care typical of Japanese vinyl production.