Vinyl pressings
by D'Angelo · 1995
Brown Sugar was first pressed on vinyl in 1995. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1995, the album's first year, in 3 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.
SPRO-19976-A (scratched out) 1-1 Y-58360-A HERbIE JR :^)A-Side Runout Etching
SPRO-19976-B (scratched out) Y-58360-B HERbIE JR :^) 1-1B-Side Runout Etching
SRCRunout Stamp Each Side
KING TECH FUNKIN UP FOR EMISide A, etched
BAY TO LA TO CHICAGO (SWAY & TECH)Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | France | Chrysalis 882 275-6 / Cooltempo 882 275-6First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1995 | UK | Cooltempo 12COOLDJ 307First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1995 | UK | Cooltempo 12COOL 307First year12" | 12" |
| 1995 | UK | EMI Records Inc. 7243 8 82490 6 5 / Cooltempo 12COOL 37First year12" | 12" |
| 1995 | US | EMI Y-58360First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1995 | US | EMI DO-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label |
| 1995 | US | EMI SPRO-19796First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1997 | UK | Cooltempo CLASSDJC 5712", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Not On Label M-00112", White Label | 12", White Label |
| ? | US | Virgin 7243 8 58360 1 512", Reissue | 12", Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Brown Sugar are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1995 and 1997.
The earliest pressings are from 1995, in US, UK, France. One of them is EMI Y-58360.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use Y-58360, DO-1, SPRO-19796, 12COOL 307) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SPRO-19976-A (scratched out) 1-1 Y-58360-A HERbIE JR :^) and SPRO-19976-B (scratched out) Y-58360-B HERbIE JR :^) 1-1. 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.
