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Jerry ButlerThe Spice Of Life

Vinyl pressings

The Spice Of Life

by Jerry Butler · 1972

10 pressings7 countriesSoulFunk / Soul

The Spice Of Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. 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 The Spice Of Life

9 pressings came out in 1972, 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.

US

1972
Label and catalog number
Mercury SRM 2 7502Mercury SRM-2-7502
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · Gatefold
Runout / matrix

SRM2- 7502-A2 B3RS-2660 S-1 L IIIA side variant 1

B3RS-2661 SRM2- 7502-B3 S-2 L IIIB side variant 1

SRM2- 7502-C2 B3RS-2662 S-3 L IIIC side variant 1

SRM2- 7502-D3 B3RS-2663 S-4 L IIID side variant 1

Full details of this pressing

US

1972
Label and catalog number
Mercury SRM 2 7502
Format
LP, Album · Gatefold, Santa Maria Press
Runout / matrix

SRM2-7502-A4 B3RS-2660 S-1 L III A4Runout, Side A

SRM2-7502-B5 B3RS-2661 S-2 L III A2Runout, Side B

SRM2-7502-C5 B3RS-2662 S-3 L III A5Runout, Side C

SRM2- 7502-D5 B3RS-2663 S-4 L III A2Runout, Side D

Full details of this pressing

Canada

1972
Label and catalog number
Mercury SRM.2.7502Mercury SRM 2 7502
Format
LP, Album · Gatefold
Runout / matrix

SRM-2-7502-ASide A

SRM-2-7502-BSide B

SRM-2-7502-CSide C

SRM-2-7502-DSide D

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 10 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s10 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1972CanadaMercury SRM.2.7502 / Mercury SRM 2 7502First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972ItalyMercury 6338 150 lFirst yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972JapanMercury RJ-5063First yearLPLP
1972NetherlandsMercury 6672 004First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972UKMercury 6338 102First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972USMercury SRM 2 7502First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972USMercury SRM 2 7502 / Mercury SRM-2-7502First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1972USMercury SRM 2 7502First yearLP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1972USMercury SRM 2 7502First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1973BrazilMercury 6338 102LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo

Tracklist

  1. A1What's So Good About It (You're My Baby)4:54
  2. A2If I Could Remember (Not Ever Having You)6:25
  3. A3I Only Have Eyes For You3:31
  4. A4That's The Way It Was (That's The Way It Is)4:59
  5. B1One Night Affair3:25
  6. B2A Prayer3:24
  7. B3Get On The Case5:21
  8. B4So Far Away5:06
  9. C1I Need You5:55
  10. C2You Can't Always Tell5:47
  11. C3Stop Steppin' On My Dreams3:52
  12. C4Baby I'm A Want You3:20
  13. D1(They Long To Be) Close To You4:13
  14. D2Don't Rip Me Off4:01
  15. D3The Masquerade Is Over / Since I Fell For You6:10
  16. D4All Kinds Of People4:53

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of The Spice Of Life are there?

10 vinyl pressings of The Spice Of Life are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.

When was The Spice Of Life first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Canada, Italy and more. One of them is Mercury SRM 2 7502.

How do I tell if my copy of The Spice Of Life is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRM 2 7502, 6338 102, SRM.2.7502, 6338 150 l) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is The Spice Of Life 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.

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