Vinyl pressings
by Don Cornelius · 1975
Don Cornelius Presents The Soul Train Gang was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1975, 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.
BVL1 1287A 2S I A2Runout A, variant 1
BVL1 1287B 2S I A2Runout B, variant 1
BVL1 1287A 2S I A2Runout A, variant 2
BVL1 1287B 2S I A1Runout B, variant 2
BVL1-1287-ALabel A
BVL1-1287-BLabel B
ⴷ1 DVL1 1287A 2S IA side Deadwax (Stamped)
ⴷ1 DVL1 1287B 2S IB side Deadwax (Stamped)
BVL1-1287-A-1S HRunout A
BVL1-1287-B-1S HRunout B
BVL1-1287-ALabel A
BVL1-1287-BLabel B
BVL 1 - 1287 ASide A label
BVL 1 - 1287 BSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Canada | Soul Train BVL1-1287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Greece | RCA Victor RCLP 20041First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Soul Train RVP-6061First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | Japan | Soul Train RVP-6061First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Spain | Soul Train BVL1-1287First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Soul Train BVL1-1287First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Soul Train BVL1-1287First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Soul train BVL1-1287First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Soul Train BVL1-1287First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Mexico | RCA MLS-4250LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Spain | Soul Train BVL1-1287LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Soul Train BVL1-1287LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Don Cornelius Presents The Soul Train Gang are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1975 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, Canada, Greece, Japan and more. One of them is Soul Train BVL1-1287.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BVL1-1287, RCLP 20041, RVP-6061) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BVL1 1287A 2S I A2 and BVL1 1287B 2S I A2. 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.
