Vinyl pressings
by Billy Cobham · 1975
Shabazz was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 12 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.
STA-753359AAASide A runout, variant 1
ST-A-753359-AAA-1-11Side B runout, variant 1
ST-A-753359ASide A runout, variant 2
ST-A-753360-ASide B runout, variant 2
STA-753359AAA AT/GP PRCSide A etching
ST-A-75335b-AAA AT/GP PRCSide B etching
ST-A-753359RISide A, label
ST-A-753360RISide B, label
STA-753359AAASide A runout, variant 1
ST-A-753359-AAA-1-11Side B runout, variant 1
ST-A-753359ASide A runout, variant 2
ST-A-753360-ASide B runout, variant 2
K·50147·A2 2 ASide A runout, variant 1
K·50147·B1 3 ASide B runout, variant 1
K 50147 A1Side A runout, variant 2
K 50147 B2Side B runout, variant 2
MX175626 SD18139-1A-side runout, stamped
MX175626 SD18139-2B-side runout, stamped
SD-18139 (MX 175626)A-side label
SD-18139 (MX 175627)B-side label
ST-A-753359-1A-2-G oSide A runout etched; "o" stamped
ST-A-753360-1A-2-G oSide B runout etched; "o" 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Atlantic SD 18139First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18139First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | Atlantic 50 147First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50147First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50147LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1975 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50147First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Greece | Atlantic 0107 / Lyra 0107First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | Atlantic W 50147First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | Atlantic K 50147 (SD 18139)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Atlantic P-10022AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Atlantic P-10022AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | Japan | Atlantic P-10022AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Atlantic SD 18139First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | South Africa | Atlantic ATC 9588First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Spain | Atlantic HATS 421-165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50147 (SD18139)LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50147 / Atlantic ATL 50 147LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50147 / Atlantic ATL 50 147LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50147 / Atlantic ATL 50 147LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50147 / Atlantic (SD 18139)LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 147 / Atlantic ATL 50 147-ZLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
28 vinyl pressings of Shabazz are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1975 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 18139.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 18139, K 50147, 50 147, ATL 50147) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STA-753359AAA and ST-A-753359-AAA-1-11. 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.
