Vinyl pressings
by Hugh Masekela · 1974
I Am Not Afraid was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. 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 1974, 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.
BTS 6015-6089 TML XRunout Side A, variant 1
BTS 6015 6090 TMLRunout Side B, variant 1
BTS 6015-6089 TML V PRunout Side A, variant 2
BTS 6015 6090 X TML A PRunout Side B, variant 2
BTS 6015-6089 TML XRunout side A
BTS 6015 6090 X TMLRunout side B
(6089)Label side A
(6090)Label side B
s 1 BTS 6015-6089 TML 1A A4Runout Side A
s 1 BTS 6015 6090 TML 1A A1Runout Side B
(6089)Labels
T1 BTS 6015-6089-2 TML ARunout Side A
T1 BTS 6015-6090-2 TML A7Runout Side B
(6089)Label Side A
(6090)Label Side B
s 1 BTS 6015-6089 TML 1B A2Runout Side A
s 1 BTS 6015 6090 X TML 1B A1Runout side B
(6089)Labels
SMX44399 (Side 1)Appears under catalog number and on Runout
SMX44400 (Side 2)Appears under catalog number and on Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Blue Thumb Records, Inc. L-35,193First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Blue Thumb Records BT. 10.037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Blue Thumb Records SWX-6163First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Blue Thumb Records SWX-6163First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | South Africa | Blue Thumb Records BTSJ (L) 6015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | South Africa | ABC Blue Thumb ABCL 0024First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6015First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | ABC Blue Thumb BTS 6015LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1974 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6015First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6015First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | ABC Blue Thumb YZ-8044-AULP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | South Africa | MCA Records GSL 43LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of I Am Not Afraid are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1974 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is Blue Thumb Records BTS 6015.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BTS 6015, L-35,193, BT. 10.037, SWX-6163) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BTS 6015-6089 TML X and BTS 6015 6090 TML. 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.
