Vinyl pressings
by Buddy Miles Express · 1968
Expressway To Your Skull was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
SR 61196-A- M1 11/11 MR 3DA-side runout, variant 1
SR 61196-B- M4 1-1 MR 3DB-side runout, variant 1
SR 61196-A-M1 1-1 M.R. 3DA-side runout, variant 2
SR 61196-B-M3 1-1 3D MRB-Side runout, variant 2
SR 61196 - A - M1 11 - 1 3D MRSide A
SR 61196 - B - M2 1-1 3D MRSide B
MX 156940 / RS 119-1
MX 156941 / RS 119-2
SR-61196A LRunout Side A [etched]
SR-61196B LRunout Side B [etched]
AA 134 094 1Y 1 670 ℗1968 12Runout side A
AA 134 094 2Y 1 670 ℗1968 12Runout side B
AA 134 094 1Y 1 670 Ⓟ1968 11 ⊥Side A runout stamped
AA 134 094 2Y 1 670 Ⓟ1968 11 ⊥Side B runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | Mercury RS 119First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Canada | Mercury SR-61196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Italy | Mercury 134 094 MCY/D / Mercury 134 094 MCY/PFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Mercury 134 094 MCYFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Mercury SR 61196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | South Africa | Mercury SR 9016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | US | Mercury SR-61196First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Mercury SR-61196First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Japan | Mercury SMX-7093LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Mercury 134 094 MCY / Mercury 20137 SMCLLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Mercury SR-61196LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Mercury SR-61196LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Expressway To Your Skull are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1968 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Australia, Canada, Italy and more. One of them is Mercury SR-61196, released December 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SR-61196, RS 119, 134 094 MCY/D, 134 094 MCY) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SR 61196-A- M1 11/11 MR 3D and SR 61196-B- M4 1-1 MR 3D. 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.
