Vinyl pressings
by James Brown · 1973
Soul Classics Volume II was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 5 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.
66 SC-5402-A-1A STERLING RLA-Side Runout Etching
66 SC-5402-B-1A STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching
SC 5402 AA-Side Label
SC 5402 BB-Side Label
SC-5402-A-1C △18089(3) MR STERLINGSide A (Variant 1, MR circled)
SC-5402-B-1C V △18089-X(1) MRSide B (Variant 1, MR circled)
SC-5402-A-1C △18089 (1) MR STERLINGSide A (Variant 2, MR circled)
SC-5402-B-1C △18089-X (1) MRSIde B (Variant 2, MR circled)
SC 5402 AA-Side Label
SC 5402 BB-Side Label
SC-5402-A-1C MR △18089(1) STERLINGSide A runout
SC-5402-B-1C MR △18089(2)Side B runout
SC 5402 ASide A label
SC 5402 BSide B label
SC-5402-A-1AA Side Runout
SC-5402-B-1AB Side Runout
SC-5402-A-1C △18089(3)Side A etched runout
SC-5402-B-1C V △18089-X(1)Side B etched runout
MR [circled]Side A & B stamped runout
STERLINGSide A stamped 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | Polydor SC-5402 / Polydor SC5402First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | France | Polydor 2452 005First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Germany | Polydor 2391 086First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Polydor SC-5402 / Polydor SC5402First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Polydor SC-5402 / Polydor SC5402First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Polydor SC-5402First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Polydor SC-5402 / Polydor SC5402First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Polydor 2391 086 / Polydor SC5402First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Polydor SC-5402First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Polydor SC-5402First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | Spain | Polydor 23 91 123LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | France | Impact 6886 557LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Impact 6886 557LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Soul Classics Volume II are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1973 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Canada, France, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor SC-5402.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SC-5402, 2391 086, 2452 005) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 66 SC-5402-A-1A STERLING RL and 66 SC-5402-B-1A STERLING. 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.
