Vinyl pressings
by Cal Tjader · 1968
Solar Heat 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.
6 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 2 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.
SKI-A 3-18-68 [MR) ∆11731 ⌜I AudioMatrixSide A runout
SKI-B-I [MR] ∆11731-X ⌜I 3-18-68 AudioMatrixSide B runout
SK 1ASide A label
SK 1BSide B label
SK-I-A 1s ⌜LRunout Side A
SK-I-B1s ⌜LRunout Side B
SK 1ALabel Side A
SK 1BLabel Side B
SKI-A ⌜I AUDIOMATRIX <MR>Runout side A
SKI-B-I ⌜I AUDIOMATRIX <MR>Runout side B
SK-1-ASide A
SK-1-BSide B
SK-I-A 1s ⌜LRunout Side A
SK-I-B1s ⌜LRunout Side B
SK 1ALabel Side A
SK 1BLabel Side B
MK1-A rlA-Side runout inscription
MK1-B rlB-side runout inscription
MK 1A MONOA-Side Label
MK 1B MONOB-Side Label
SK-1-A TGSide A, etched
SK-1-B TGSide B, etched
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 | Canada | Skye Records SK-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Skye Records SK-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Skye Records MK-1First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | US | Skye Records SK-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Skye Records SK-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Skye Records SK-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Fontana 887 953 TYLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Fontana STL 5527LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | South Africa | Fontana STL 248LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | UK | Rhapsody RHAP 13LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | US | Gryphon G-919LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | US | Modern Harmonic MH-8036LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | US | Modern Harmonic MH-8036LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Fontana FOX-7018LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Fontana FOX-7018LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | US | Buddah Records SK-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Solar Heat are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1968 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Canada. One of them is Skye Records SK-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SK-1, MK-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SKI-A 3-18-68 [MR) ∆11731 ⌜I AudioMatrix and SKI-B-I [MR] ∆11731-X ⌜I 3-18-68 AudioMatrix. 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.
