Vinyl pressings
by John Mayall · 1971
Back To The Roots 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.
28 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 14 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.
POLP-80179-1G-1-1 STERLING P.R. ~Side A runouts
POLP-80180-1G-1-1 D STERLING P.R. ~Side B runouts
POLP-80181-1G-1-1 P.R. ~ STERLING RL / LHSide C runouts
POLP-80182-1G-1-1STERLING RL / LH P.R. ~Side D runouts
POLP-80179-1BSide A runout, variant 1
POLP-80180-1BSide B runout, variant 1
POLP-80181-2ASide C runout, variant 1
POLP-80182-1BSide D runout, variant 1
POLP-80179-1J H STERLING RLSide A runout, variant 1
POLP-80180-1J H STERLING RLSide B runout, variant 1
POLP-80181-1K H STERLINGSide C runout, variant 1
POLP-80182-1J HSide D runout, variant 1
T 1 POLP-80179-1C STERLING RLRunout side A, variant 1
T 1 POLP-80180-1D STERLING RLRunout side B, variant 1
T 2 POLP 80181-2C STERLINGRunout side C, variant 1
T 1 POLP-80182-1C STERLING RLRunout side D, variant 1
POLP-80179-1K STERLING RL HSide A runout
POLP-80180-1J STERLING RL HSide B runout
POLP-80181-1J STERLING RL/LH HSide C runout
POLP-80182-1J HSide D 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Polydor 2675 011First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | Canada | Polydor 2675-010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Polydor 2675 010First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | France | Polydor 2673 003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | France | Polydor 2673 003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2675 011 / Polydor 2488 011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Italy | Polydor 267 3003 LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Mexico | Polydor 16045 A2 / Polydor 2673 003First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | Mexico | Polydor 2673 003First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Polydor 2673003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2675 011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | South Africa | Polydor 2683 003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Spain | Polydor 24 25 081/82First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | UK | Polydor 2657 005First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Polydor 26 75 011First yearLP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | Polydor 26 75 011LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1982 | France | Polydor 2673 003LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | Polydor 26 75 011LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Colombia | Polydor 2425062/63LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | France | Polydor 2673 003LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Polydor 2673 003LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Polydor 2673 003LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2675 011 / Polydor 2488 011LP, Album | LP, Album |
39 vinyl pressings of Back To The Roots are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1971 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Polydor 25-3002.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 25-3002, 2657 005, 26 75 011, MP 9385/6) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLP-80179-1G-1-1 STERLING P.R. ~ and POLP-80180-1G-1-1 D STERLING P.R. ~. 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.
