US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Asylum Records 6E-173
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · PRC
- Runout / matrix
6E-173-A2-PRC-2-[2 deleted] - 1Runout side A
6E-173-B2-PRC-1-1Runout side B
Vinyl pressings
Black Sheep
by Hammer · 1979
18 pressings12 countriesFusionJazz-RockElectronicJazz
Black Sheep was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Black Sheep
17 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 12 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.
US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Asylum Records 6E-173
- Format
- LP, Album · SP
- Runout / matrix
6E-173-A-SPSide A runout etched - variant 1
6E-173-B-SP 1- ̷3̷ 2Side B runout etched - variant 1
6E-173-A-SPSide A runout etched - variant 2
6E-173-B-SP 1-1Side A runout etched - variant 2
US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Asylum Records 6E-173
- Format
- LP, Album · PRC-Compton Pressing
- Runout / matrix
6E-173-A3-PRC-11-1A side etch
6E-173-B2-PRC-4-1-1B side etch
US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Asylum Records 6E-173
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo · Specialty Records Pressing
- Runout / matrix
6E-173-A-SP 1-2Side A Runout
6E-173-B-SP 1-1Side B Runout
6E-173-A SPSide A label
6E-173-B SPSide B label
US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Asylum Records 6E-173
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo · PRC
- Runout / matrix
6E-173-A2-PRC-2-1A side etch with additional scratched out symboll
6E-179-B2-PRC-1-1B side etch with 9 overwrites a 3
UK
1979- Label and catalog number
- Asylum Records K 53089
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
K53089 A-1
K53089 B-1
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 18 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s18 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Asylum Records 6E-173First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Austria | Asylum Records AS 53 089First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Asylum Records 6E-173First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | Asylum Records AS 53 089First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Asylum Records AS 53 089First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Israel | Asylum Records BAN 53089First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Asylum Records AS 53 089First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Asylum Records P-10636YFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Asylum Records P-10636YFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Asylum Records AS 53 089First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Asylum Records 6E 173First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Asylum Records K 53089First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Asylum Records 6E-173First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Asylum Records 6E-173First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Asylum Records 6E-173First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
Tracklist
- A1Jet Stream4:14
- A2Heavy Love6:02
- A3Black Sheep5:11
- A4Light Of Dawn3:20
- A5Hey Girl3:10
- B1Waiting No More4:52
- B2Between The Sheets Of Music3:15
- B3Manic Depression4:25
- B4Silent One7:12
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Black Sheep are there?
18 vinyl pressings of Black Sheep are listed here, from 12 countries.
When was Black Sheep first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Asylum Records 6E-173.
How do I tell if my copy of Black Sheep is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6E-173, K 53089, AS 53 089, BAN 53089) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6E-173-A2-PRC-2-[2 deleted] - 1 and 6E-173-B2-PRC-1-1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Black Sheep on vinyl worth?
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.