US
1974- Label and catalog number
- Polydor PD 6039Polydor 2391 164
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
PD6039-A-S F/W NYC SJR 22 POLYDORside A runout etched
PD6039-B-S F/W NYC SJR POLYDORside B runout etched
Vinyl pressings
Reality
by James Brown · 1974
41 pressings20 countriesSoulFunkFunk / Soul
Reality 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Reality
19 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 8 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
1974- Label and catalog number
- Polydor PD 6039Polydor 2391 164
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Monarch Pressing
- Runout / matrix
POLYDOR PD 6039-A-S ② F/W NYC SJR MR △19604(1)Variant 1: Runout side A
POLYDOR PD 6039-B-S ② F/W NYC SJR MR △19604-X(1)Variant 1: Runout side B
POLYDOR PD 6039-A-S ② F/W NYC SJR MR △19604(2)Variant 2: Runout side A
POLYDOR PD 6039-B-S ① F/W NYC SJR MR △19604-X(5)Variant 2: Runout side B
US
1974- Label and catalog number
- Polydor PD 6039Polydor 2391 164
- Format
- LP, Album · All Disc Pressing
- Runout / matrix
22 POLYDOR PD-6039-A-S F/W-NYC SJRSide A runout etched, SJR circled
22 POLYDOR PD-6039-B-S F/W NYC SJRSide B runout etched, SJR circled
US
1974- Label and catalog number
- Polydor PD 6039Polydor 2391 164
- Format
- LP, Album · Monarch Pressing
- Runout / matrix
POLYDOR PD 6039-A-S (1 in a circle) F/W NYC SJR MR (In a circle) [stamped] SJR △19604(3)Side A runout
POLYDOR PD 6039-B-S (1 in a circle) F/W NYC SJR MR (In a circle) [stamped] △19604-X(4)Side B runout
US
1974- Label and catalog number
- Polydor PD 6039Polydor 2391 164
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Monarch Pressing
- Runout / matrix
POLYDOR PD 6039-A-S (1 in a circle) F/W NYC SJR MR (In a circle) SJR △19604(3)Runout side A hand-etched + MR stamp, variant 1
POLYDOR PD 6039-B-S (1 in a circle) F/W NYC SJR MR (In a circle) △19604-X(4)Runout side B hand-etched + MR stamp, variant 1
POLYDOR PD 6039-A-S (2) F/W NYC SJR (MR) SJR △19604(2)Runout side A hand-etched + MR stamp, variant 2
POLYDOR PD 6039-B-S (2) F/W NYC SJR (MR) △19604-X(2)Runout side B hand-etched + MR stamp, variant 2
US
1974- Label and catalog number
- Polydor PD 6039Polydor 2391 164
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Presswell Pressing
- Runout / matrix
PD6039-A-S-2 F/W NYC SJR PR POLYDORSide A runout etched, variant 1
PD6039-B-S-1 F/W NYC SJR PR POLYDORSide B runout etched, variant 1
PD6039-A-S-2 F/W NYC SJR <sig> PR POLYDORSide A runout etched, variant 2
PD6039-B-S-2 F/W NYC SJR <sig> PR POLYDORSide B runout etched, variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 41 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s37 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | Polydor PD 6039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Polydor PD 6039First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | Polydor 2391 164First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Polydor 2391 164First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Polydor 2391 164First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Indonesia | Polydor 2391 164 / Polydor PD 6039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Lebanon | Polydor 2391 164First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Polydor 2391.164First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Polydor 2489 092First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Polydor 2391 164First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Polydor PD 6039 / Polydor 2391 164First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Polydor PD 6039 / Polydor 2391 164First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Polydor PD 6039 / Polydor 2391 164First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Polydor PD 6039 / Polydor 2391 164First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Polydor PD 6039 / Polydor 2391 164First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
1980s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Koala KOA 14523LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Polydor PD 6039LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Polydor PD 6039 / Polydor 2391 164LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Polydor PD 6039 / Polydor 2391 164LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1Reality4:14
- A2Funky President (People It's Bad)4:01
- A3Further On Up The Road3:47
- A4Check Your Body4:04
- A5Don't Fence Me In3:26
- B1All For One6:09
- B2I'm Broken Hearted4:09
- B3The Twist3:53
- B4Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)4:02
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Reality are there?
41 vinyl pressings of Reality are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1974 and 1980.
When was Reality first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Polydor PD 6039.
How do I tell if my copy of Reality is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD 6039, 2391 164, 2391.164, 2489 092) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PD6039-A-S F/W NYC SJR 22 POLYDOR and PD6039-B-S F/W NYC SJR POLYDOR. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Reality 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.
