Vinyl pressings
by Al Green · 1977
The Belle Album was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 11 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.
HLP-6004-A TML-SRunout side A, etched (TML-S = stamped) [variant 1]
HLP 6004 B TML-MRunout side B, etched (TML-M = stamped) [variant 1]
HLP-6004-A TML-M PGURunout side A, etched (TML-M = stamped) [variant 2]
HLP 6004-B TML-S PGURunout side B, etched (TML-S = stamped) [variant 2]
HLP-6004-A TML-MSide A etch exc “TML-M” stamp
HLP 6004-A̶̷ B TML-MSide B etch exc “TML-M” stamp
(HLP 6004-A)Side A label
(HLP 6004-B)Side B label
HLP-6004-A TML-SRunout side A
HLP 6004 B TML-MRunout side B
HLP 6004-AMatrix side A, on label
HLP 6004-BMatrix side B, on label
HLP-6004-ARunout side A, etched
TML-SRunout side A, stamped
HLP 6004 BRunout side B, etched
TML-MRunout side B, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Cream HLP 6004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Barbados | Cream Records, Inc. HLP 6004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Hi Records 9357-6004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Hi Records CR. 8538HFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Cream INT 148.102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Greece | Hi Records HLP 70001 / Hi Records HLP 6004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Greece | Hi Records HLP 70001 / Hi Records HLP 6004LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Polydor HLP 6004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Philippines | Hidcor HI 1001-9 / Hidcor HI-1001-9First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Pye Records HLP 6004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Hi Records HLP 6004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Hi Records HLP 70001 / Hi Records HLP 6004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Hi Records HLP 6004First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Hi Records HLP 6004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Hi Records HLP 6004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | South Africa | Cream CLP 5546LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | South Korea | Cream HDL-021 (IHI 9-6004)LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Motown 5318ML / Hi Records 5318MLLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | Motown 5318ML / Hi Records 5318MLLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | UK | Hi Records HI UK LP 421LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | US | Fat Possum Records FPH11391LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US | Fat Possum Records FPH11391LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2015 | US | Fat Possum Records FPH1139-3LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
28 vinyl pressings of The Belle Album are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1977 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Barbados and more. One of them is Hi Records HLP 6004.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HLP 6004, HLP 70001, 5357 6004 H, 9357-6004) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HLP-6004-A TML-S and HLP 6004 B TML-M. 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.
