Vinyl pressings
by Edwin Starr · 1971
Involved was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
A4RS-2963-2 D TVC HS•1869-3 –|⁄ǀ⁄K GS- 956LSide A runout variant 1
A4RS-2964-2 D TVC HS-1869-4 GS 956LSide B runout variant 1
A4RS-2963-2 C HS-1869-3 H ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K GS-956LSide A runout variant 2
A4RS-2964-2 C HS-1870-4 H ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K GS-956LSide B runout variant 2
A 4RS-2963-2 DA Side stamped
GS-956L ⇾k HS-1869-3A Side etched
A 4RS-2964-2 DB Side stamped
GS 956L TYC HS-1870-4B Side etched
A4RS-2963-2 ISide A Runout - Stamped
A4RS-2964-2 ISide B Runout - Stamped
HS-1869-3 GS-956 L ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide A Runout - Etched
HS-1840-4 GS-956 LSide B Runout - Etched
GS-956L _rK HS-1869-3 A 4RS-2963-2 DSide 1 Runout
GS 956L HS-1870-4 TYCA 4RS-2964-2 DSide 2 Runout
HS-18-69-3Side 1 Label
HS-18-70-4Side 2 Label
HS-18-69-3 GS-956L A 4 RS-2963 - 2 C H >/⟵Runout side A
HS-18-70-4 GS-956L A 4 RS-2964 - 2 C H >/⟵Runout side B
HS-1869-3 A4RS-2963-2Label side A
HS-1870-4 A4RS-2964-2Label side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Tamla Motown STMLO 10072 / Tamla Motown STMLO-10072First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Canada | Tamla Motown GS 956LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1 C 062-92 480First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Italy | Gordy G 956L / Tamla Motown TSM-ST 60012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 054-92480First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | South Africa | Tamla Motown TMC 5204 / Tamla Motown GS 956 LFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Gordy GS-956L / Gordy G 956LFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Gordy GS-956LFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Gordy GS956 L / Gordy G956 LFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Gordy GS 956L / Gordy GS956 LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Gordy G-956LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Gordy G 956LFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Gordy GS- 956L / Gordy 956 LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11199 / Tamla Motown 1E 062 ◦ 92480LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Brazil | Gordy G 956L / Top Tape G6-956LP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of Involved are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1971 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Gordy GS-956L.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GS-956L, GS 956L, G-956L, G 956L) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A4RS-2963-2 D TVC HS•1869-3 –|⁄ǀ⁄K GS- 956L and A4RS-2964-2 D TVC HS-1869-4 GS 956L. 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.
