Vinyl pressings
by Four Tops · 1969
Four Tops Now! was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. 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 1969, the album's first year, in 10 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.
HS-1582-4 X4RS-2398-1-G MS-675 AudioMatrix 5-19-69 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KRunout side A, variant 1
HS-1582-4 X4RS-2398-1-G MS-675 AudioMatrix ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K 5-19-69Runout side B, variant 1
HS-1582-4 X4RS-2398-1-G MS-675 AudioMatrix ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KRunout side A, variant 2
HS-1583-2 X4RS-2398-1-G MS-675 AudioMatrix ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KRunout side B, variant 2
MS-675 X4RS-2398-1- HS-2582-4 1 S-1 + 1VEtched Side A
MS-675 X4RS-2399-1- 1 + MM 1VEtched Side B
X4RS-2398-1-F HS-2582-4 MS-675 S-1 dh HSide A runout
X4RS-2399-1-F HS-2583-2 MS-675 S-2 dh HSide B runout
HS 1582-4 X4RS-2398Side A label
HS 1583-2 X4RS-2399Side B label
TML 11113 A -1 G 1Runout side A, stamped
TML 11113 B -1 G 1Runout side B, stamped
TML.11113ALabel side A, in parentheses
TML.11113BLabel side B, in parentheses
STML 11113 A-1Side 1 Stamped (Variant 1
STML 11113 B-1Side 2 Stamped (Variant 1
STML 11113ASide 1 Label
STML 11113BSide 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Tamla Motown STMLO-10024First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Canada | Tamla Motown MOS 675First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | France | Tamla Motown 2 C 062-90298First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 054-90 298First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Germany | Tamla Motown STM 675First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Lebanon | Tamla Motown MS 675First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown XTM S-5026 / Tamla Motown MS 675First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown STMLM.6032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | South Africa | Tamla Motown STMLJ 5059First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Tamla Motown TML 11113 / Tamla Motown 1E 062 ◦ 90298 (M)First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11113 / Tamla Motown 1E 062 ◦ 90298First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Motown MS 675 / Motown MS675First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Motown MS 675DJFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Motown MS 675 / Motown MS675First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Motown MS 675 / Motown MS675First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Tamla Motown M675L / Tamla Motown MS675LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Motown M675LLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | Australia | World Record Club S/5162 / World Record Club S-5162LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1979 | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP 50416LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Motown MS 675 / Ebrau MS 675LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Japan | Motown SJET-8170LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Four Tops Now! are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1969 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Motown MS 675.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MS 675, MS 675DJ, TML 11113, STML 11113) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HS-1582-4 X4RS-2398-1-G MS-675 AudioMatrix 5-19-69 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K and HS-1582-4 X4RS-2398-1-G MS-675 AudioMatrix ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K 5-19-69. 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.
