Vinyl pressings
by John Lee Hooker · 1978
The Cream was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 2 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.
TOM-2-7009-A J.G. MASTERDISKSide A runout
TOM-2-7009-B J.G. MASTERDISKSide B runout
TOM-2-7009-C J.G. MASTERDISKSide C runout
TOM-2-7009-D J.G. MASTERDISKSide D runout
TOM-2-7009-A J.G. MASTERDISKSide A runout
TOM-2-7009-B J.G. MASTERDISKSide B runout
TOM-2-7009-C J.G. MASTERDISKSide C runout
TOM-2-7009-D J.G. MASTERDISKSide D runout
2239-7009-A
2239-7009-B
2239-7009-C
2239-7009-D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Tomato 2239-7009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Tomato TOM-2-7009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Tomato TOM-2-7009First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Tomato TOM-2-7009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Germany | Tomato LP 2696021LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Charly R&B CDX 22 / Tomato CDX 22LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | UK | Charly Records CDX 22LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Germany | Tomato 2696091LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US | Tomato TOM-2-7009LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Worldwide | Tomato TOM-2-7009 / Culture Factory 783 768LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
10 vinyl pressings of The Cream are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1978 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Canada. One of them is Tomato TOM-2-7009.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TOM-2-7009, 2239-7009) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TOM-2-7009-A J.G. MASTERDISK and TOM-2-7009-B J.G. MASTERDISK. 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.
