Vinyl pressings
by Bread · 1971
Mother Freedom was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
SRC EKM-45740 A SP 6-8-71A-Side Runout Etching
EKM-45740 B SP SRC 6-8-71B-Side Runout Etching
EKM-45740-ALabel side A
EKM-45740-BLabel side B
EKM-45740 A CTH T1A-Side Runout Etching
EKM-45740 B CTH T1B-Side Runout Etching
EKM-45740-ALabel side A
EKM-45740-BLabel side B
EKM-45740 A-1 CSMA-Side Runout Etching
EKM-45740 B-1 CSMB-Side Runout Etching
EKM-45740-ALabel side A
EKM-45740-BLabel side B
EKM-45740-A-1 PH 1-1 PTRunout side A
EKM-45740-B PH 1-1 PRRunout side B
EKM-45740-ALabel side A
EKM-45740-BLabel side B
EKM-45740-ALabel side A
EKM-45740-BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Elektra E-45740First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Germany | Elektra ELK 12 020 / Exulta ELK 12.020First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Greece | Elektra 33.014First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Japan | Elektra JET-2072First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Japan | Elektra JET-2072First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1971 | Mexico | Gamma G-1048First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Elektra EKM.45740First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Portugal | Elektra N-57-8First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Singapore | Elektra EKM-45740First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Turkey | Elektra 71403 / Elektra 71 403First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKM-45740First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKM-45740First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKM-45740First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKM-45740First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKM-45740First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
21 vinyl pressings of Mother Freedom are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Netherlands, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Elektra EKM-45740, released June 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EKM-45740, EKS 45740, E-45740, ELK 12 020) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRC EKM-45740 A SP 6-8-71 and EKM-45740 B SP SRC 6-8-71. 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.
