Vinyl pressings
by Instant Funk · 1979
Witch Doctor 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.
16 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 11 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.
SA-8529-A-1 JR STERLING ☆ I A4Runout side A, variant 1
SA-8529-B-1 ☆ JR STERLING I A6Runout side B, variant 1
SA-8529-A 2 JR STERLING I ☆ Ʌ1ARunout side A, variant 2
SA-8529-B-1 ☆ JR STERLING I Ʌ2HRunout side B, variant 2
SA 8529-C-DJ-1 JR STERLING 1 A3BC-Side Run-Out
SA-8529-D-DJ 1 1 JR STERLING B1DD-Side Run-Out
SA-8529-E-DJ 1 JR STERLING 1 A2CE-Side Run-Out
SA-8529-F-DJ 1 JR STERLING 1 A1FF-Side Run-Out
SA 8529-AMatrix Side-A
SA 8529-BMatrix Side-B
SA-8529-A-10 JR STERLING r-1 AY DRunout Side-A
SA-8529-B-1 ☆ JR STERLING [unreadable] [unreadable]Runout Side-B
SA-8529-C-DJ-1 JR STERLING I A3BC-Side Run-Out
SA-8529-D-DJ 1 I JR STERLING B1DD-Side Run-Out
SA-8529-E-DJ 1 JR STERLING I A2CE-Side Run-Out
SA-8529-F-DJ 1 JR STERLING I A2FF-Side Run-Out
SA-8529-A-1 JR STERLING ☆ I A4Runout side A
SA-8529-B-1 ☆ JR STERLING I A6Runout side B
SA 8529-ALabel side A
SA 8529-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Salsoul Records SA 8529First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | Salsoul Records 104.8132First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Salsoul Records SA 8529First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Salsoul Records ZL 37355First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Salsoul Records XL 14132First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Salsoul Records SA 8529First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Italy | Salsoul Records SA 8529First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Salsoul Records XL 14132First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Portugal | Salsoul Records 2.47.109First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | South Africa | Salsoul Records SALP(L) 224First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | Salsoul Records 2-47.109 / Belter 2-47.109First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | Salsoul Records XL-14132First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Salsoul Records SA 8529First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Salsoul Records SA 8529-DJ / Salsoul Records SA 8529First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Salsoul Records SA 8529-DJ / Salsoul Records SA 8529First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, White Label | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Salsoul Records RVP-6435LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Salsoul Records RVP-6435LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Spain | Salsoul Records XL-14132LP, Album, Promo, Repress, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Repress, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Venezuela | Salsoul Records SR-0008 / Salsoul Records LP-S-0008LP, Album | LP, Album |
20 vinyl pressings of Witch Doctor are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Salsoul Records SA 8529.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SA 8529, SA 8529-DJ, 104.8132, ZL 37355) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SA-8529-A-1 JR STERLING ☆ I A4 and SA-8529-B-1 ☆ JR STERLING I A6. 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.
