Vinyl pressings
by Brian Auger's Oblivion Express · 1974
Straight Ahead was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 7 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.
APL1-0454-A-1 I A2Runout A, variant 1
APL1-0454-B-1 I A3̶5Runout B, variant 1
APL1-0454-A-1 I A 4Runout A, variant 2
APL1-0454-B-1 I A 4Runout B, variant 2
APL1-0454A-2 HRunout, stamped, side A
APL1-0454B-2 HRunout, stamped, side B
APL1-0454-ALabel, side A
APL1-0454-BLabel, side B
S 80058 AI D ⋀A-side runout, stamped
S 80058 BI D ⋀B-side runout, stamped
S 80058 AA-side label
S 80058 BB-side label
MX182774Side A Label
MX182775Side B Label
APL1-0454 A TGSide A, etched
APL1-0454 B TGSide B, etched
APL1-0454-ASide A label
APL1-0454-BSide B label
S 80058-A ⒽRunout A, etched
S 80058-B ⒽRunout B, etched
S 80058-1Label side A
S 80058-2Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | CBS SBS234528First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | RCA Victor APL1-0454First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Europe | CBS S 80058First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 474215First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Spain | CBS S 80058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | CBS S 80058First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | CBS S 80058 / CBS 80058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | RCA Victor APL1-0454 / RCA APL1-0454First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | RCA APL1-0454 / RCA Victor APL1-0454First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Not On LabelLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | UK | Soul Bank Music SBM020LPLP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | RCA Victor APL1-0454 / RCA APL1-0454LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | RCA Victor AFL1-0454 / RCA AFL1-0454LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of Straight Ahead are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1974 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor APL1-0454.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use APL1-0454, S 80058, SBS234528, SBP 474215) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, APL1-0454-A-1 I A2 and APL1-0454-B-1 I A3̶5. 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.
