Vinyl pressings
by James Brown · 1971
Escape-ism 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 6 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.
K-13893-X2R RG I- A1Side A runout, variant 1
K-13894-X2R RG I- A2Side B runout, variant 1
K-13893-X2R 1 RG I- A1Side A runout, variant 2
K-13894-X2R RG I- A2Side B runout, variant 2
K-13893-X2Runout A, variant 1
K-13893-X [RG signature]Runout A, variant 2
K-13894 [RG signature]Runout B, variants 1, 2
K-13893-X2 RGRunout A, variant 3, etched
K-13893Side A Print
K-13894Side B Print
K-13893Side A Label
K-13894Side B Label
K-13893-X2R 1 RG I - A1
K-13894-X2R 1 RG - I A2
K-13893 RGA-Side Runout
K-13894 RGB-Side Runout
K-13893Label A
K-13894Label 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 | Belgium | Polydor 2001 199First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Canada | Columbia C4-2985 / People C4-2985First year7" | 7" |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2001 199 / King Records 2001 199First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2001 199First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Jamaica | Polydor 45-2500First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | People 45-2500First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | US | People 45-2500First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | People JB45-2500First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | People 45-2500First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | People 45-2500First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | People 45-2500First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | US | People 45-2500First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | France | Polydor 2001 199First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US | Get On Down GET 726-7 / People 45-25007", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of Escape-ism are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1971 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, France, Belgium, Canada and more. One of them is People 45-2500, released June 5, 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-2500, JB45-2500, 2001 199, C4-2985) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K-13893-X2R RG I- A1 and K-13894-X2R RG I- A2. 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.
