As the band are preparing for the recording session this weekend, I'll jump in on this question. In the late 50s and early 60s there were some 45 rpm singles released in stereo, but there were compatibility issues and low demand. Mono was the standard. With the advent of FM stereo radio, demand picked up as FM stations wanted stereo versions of hit singles (which may be different from the lp version). In 1967 some stereo singles appeared but it was really 1968 that stereo singles took off. Keep in mind that "Incense" was intended to be a single only and a B side at that. Mark has told me that the band wanted to record it in stereo, but it was their producer, Frank Slay, who vetoed it. He was an experienced producer but held the "conventional wisdom" that "nobody does 45s in stereo". The pivot point of the change to stereo happened right after that with the introduction of a new stereo mastering lathe in 1968. The first labels to jump in with both feet were Buddah and Electra, and Atlantic joined in April 1968. Uni was not the most forward thinking label, but in the case of the I&P 45, there was no stereo master source.

--Previous Message--
: You mentioned before something about UNI/MCA
: not allowing stereo format for singles.Were
: you given any official reasoning for this
: standard.It seems so backwards.Of all the
: tunes on album,you would think the record
: company would want what they see as a single
: presented in full aural scope.........
: