Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Wakelin & The Kinshasa Band · 1974
Black Superman "Muhammad Ali" 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.
19 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 11 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.
PYE 71012AS-1C Al BrownEtched side A, variant 1
PYE 71012 BS-1F TIIIIEtched side B, variant 1
PYE 71012 AS-1D al Brown TIIIEtched side A, variant 2
PYE 71012 BS-1D al Brown TIIEtched side B, variant 2
P PYE-71012-AS-1G STERLINGEtched Side A, except P & STERLING stamped
P PYE 71012-BS-1GEtched Side B, except P stamped
(PYE 71012 AS)Label side A
(PYE 71012 BS)Label side B
PYE 71012AS-1C al Brown pRunout side A, etched, except [p] stamped
PYE 71012 BS-1C al Brown pRunout side B, etched, except [p] stamped
(PYE 71012 AS)Label side-A
(PYE 71012 BS)Label side-B
PYE 71012AS-1E Al Brown sssssRunout side A
PYE 71012BS-1E Al Brown ssRunout side B
PYE 71012 ASLabel side A
PYE 71012 BSLabel side B
7N 45420 A-1△GStamped runout, side A
1 TEtched runout, side A
7N 45420 B-1△GStamped runout, side B
1 AJEtched runout, side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Barbados | Pye Records 7N 45420First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Canada | Pye Records 45420First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Canada | Pye Records 45420First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | Pye Records 45420First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | India | Stateside 7N-45420First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Ireland | Pye Records 7N 45420First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Pye Records 7N-45420First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Polydor 7N 45420First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Philippines | Pye Records PYE-624First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | South Africa | Pye Records PYS 333First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45420First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45420First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45420First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Pye Records PYE 71012First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Pye Records PYE 71012First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | India | Stateside P/7N-454217", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | 20th Century Fox Records 7N 19757", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Japan | Pye Records UP-490-Y7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Malaysia | 20th Century Fox Records 7N 19757", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | Pye Records 7N 454207", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
35 vinyl pressings of Black Superman "Muhammad Ali" are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1974 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Barbados, Canada and more. One of them is Pye Records PYE 71012.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PYE 71012, 7N 45420, 45420, 7N-45420) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PYE 71012AS-1C Al Brown and PYE 71012 BS-1F TIIII. 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.
