Vinyl pressings
by Al Green · 1987
Soul Survivor was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 9 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
SP-05150-AMatrix Side A, On Label
SP-05150-BMatrix Side B, On Label
SPO-5150-A ESI (flower) EMWRunout Side A, On Label
SPO-5150-B ESI (seagulls) EMWRunout Side B, On Label
I A1D SPO-5150-A [flower] RCA-IA-Side Runout Etching
I A1D SPO-5150-B RCA-I [birds]B-Side Runout Etching
SP-05150-AA-Side Label
SP-05150-BB-Side Label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Unknown | A&M Records L 38751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia | A&M Records L 38751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | A&M Records 395150-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | A&M Records SP 5150First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | A&M Records 395 150-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | A&M Records 395 150-1LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Greece | A&M Records 395150-1 / A&M Records 395150-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | A&M Records C28Y3176First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | A&M Records C28Y3176First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | New Zealand | A&M Records L 38751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | A&M Records AMA 5150First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | A&M Records SP 5150 / A&M Records SP-5150First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | A&M Records SP 5150 / A&M Records SP-5150First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Soul Survivor are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is A&M Records SP 5150.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 5150, L 38751, AMA 5150, 395150-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP-05150-A and SP-05150-B. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
