Vinyl pressings
by Cymande · 1974
Promised Heights 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.
10 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.
JSX-7004-A STERLING RLA runout, variant 1
JSX-7004-BB runout, variant 1
TI JSX-7004-A-1 STERLING RL A5A runout, variant 2
T/ JSX-7004-B-1 B9B runout, variant 2
JXS-7004-A (MR) △18964(1)Side A runout
JXS-7004-B (MR) △18964-X(1)Side B runout
JXS 7004 ASide A label
JXS 7004 BSide B label
p JXS-7004-A STERLING RLSide A runout
p JXS-7004-B ASide B runout
JXS-7004-A STERLING RL : ^. PSide A runout
JXS-7004-BSide B runout
JXS 7004 ASide A label
JXS 7004 BSide B label
†CLP 508-A†A Label
†CLP 508-B†B Label
9098-7004-S1Side A
9098-7004-S2Side 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 | Canada | Janus Records 9098-7004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Ghana | Chairman CH-050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Family FLY 225First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | South Africa | Alaska ALL.21000First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Turkey | Joker JXS 7004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Janus Records JXS 7004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Janus Records JXS 7004First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Janus Records JXS 7004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Janus Records JXS 7004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Contempo CLP 508First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | UK | Sequel Records NEM LP 430LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1999 | UK | Sequel Records NEM LP 430LP, Album, Reissue, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, White Label, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | US | Janus Records JXS 7004LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2000 | US | Janus Records JXS 7004LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | UK | Mr Bongo MRBLP160LP, Album, Reissue, White Label | LP, Album, Reissue, White Label |
| 2018 | UK & US | Mr Bongo MRBLP160 / Janus Records JXS 7004LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | UK & Europe | Partisan Records PTKF3027-3LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2026 | Europe | Partisan Records PTKF3027-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Janus Records JXS 7004LP, Album, Repress, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Repress, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
19 vinyl pressings of Promised Heights are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1974 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Canada, Ghana and more. One of them is Janus Records JXS 7004.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JXS 7004, CLP 508, 9098-7004, CH-050) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JSX-7004-A STERLING RL and JSX-7004-B. 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.
