Vinyl pressings
by Curtis Mayfield · 1972
Superfly was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 5 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.
CR-1978A.4. ① [MR logo] Bell Sound sf △89690Side A runout, variant 1
CR-1978B-4- ① [MR logo] Bell Sound RCK △89690-XSide B runout, variant 1
CR-1978A.4. ① [MR logo] Bell Sound sf △89690Side A runout, variant 2
CR-1978B-4- ① [MR logo] 2 Bell Sound RCK △89690-XSide B runout, variant 2
CR-1978 A Bell Sound sfRunout A, variant 1
CR-1978 B Bell Sound RCKRunout B, variant 1
p CR-1978 A 1... Bell Sound sfRunout A, variant 2
p CR-1978 B-1 Bell Sound RCKRunout B, variant 2
CR-1978 A 7 1-1 Bell Sound sf PRA-side
CR-1978 B 3-1-11 Bell Sound RCK PRB-side
CR-1978 A 7 1-1 Bell Sound sf PRA Side
CR-1978 B 3-1-11Bell Sound RCK PRB Side
CR-1978A.2 Bell Sound sf SON S-3099Side A
CR-1Bell Sound 197-B MIIIWE SON 5-3102nd sf SON S-3099Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | France | Buddah Records 610.102First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Japan | Buddah Records LL-2589-DAFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Japan | Buddah Records LL-2589-DAFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Curtom 610.103 / Curtom 610 103First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | Buddah Records 2011-156First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | Buddah Records 2011-156First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Curtom CR 1978First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | Radio Active Gold RD 101First year7" | 7" |
| 1972 | US | Curtom CR 1978First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Curtom CR 1978First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Curtom CR 1978First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Curtom CR 1978First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | Curtom CR 1978First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Curtom CR-1978First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | Curtom CR 1978 / Curtom CR-1978First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | Buddah Records CR 19787", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Thailand | Not On Label (Curtis Mayfield) CR-19787", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | Buddah Records 2011-1567", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
19 vinyl pressings of Superfly are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, France, Japan and more. One of them is Curtom CR 1978, released October 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CR 1978, RD 101, CR-1978, 2011-156) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CR-1978A.4. ① [MR logo] Bell Sound sf △89690 and CR-1978B-4- ① [MR logo] Bell Sound RCK △89690-X. 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.
