Vinyl pressings
by Junior Walker & The All Stars · 1971
Rainbow Funk 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.
14 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 7 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.
A4RS-2967-1 C HS-1871-3 SS-732 S1 HSide A Runout
A4RS-2968-1 C HS-1872-3 SS-732 S2 HSide B Runout
HS-1871-3Side A Label
A4RS-2967Side A Label
HS-1871-3Side A Label
A4RS-2967Side A Label
HS-1872-3Side B Label
A4RS-2968Side B Label
HS-1871-3 SS-732 SISide A Runout
A4RS-2968-1 HS-1872-3 SS-732 A 3 S2 - 1 3Side B Runout
HS-1871-3/HS-1872-3Side A/B Labels
A4RS-2967/A4RS-2968Side A/B Labels
A4RS-2967-1 D TC SI SS-732 HS-1871-3Side A runout, stamped/etched
A4RS-2968-1 D TC S2 SS-732 HS-1872-3Side B runout, stamped/etched
HS-1871-3Side A Label
HS-1872-3Side B Label
A4RS-2967-1 D JC HS-1871-3 SS-732 S1Side A Matrix
A4RS-2968-1 D JC HS-1872-3 SS-732 S2Side B Matrix
HS-1871-3Side A Label
SS 732LSide A Label
A4RS - 2967 - 1Side 1 stamped, variant 1
HS-1871-3 SS-732 S1Side 1 etched, variant 1
A4RS - 2968 - 1Side 2 stamped, variant 1
HS-1871-3 SS-732 S2Side 2 etched, variant 1
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 | Canada | Tamla Motown S732L / Tamla Motown SS 732LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1 C 062-92 750First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Jamaica | Tamla Motown SS 73 2LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Tamla Motown SWG-7551First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 054-92750First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Philippines | Motown S732LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | South Korea | Oscar EU-1013LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1971 | US | Soul S732L / Soul SS 732LFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Soul S732L / Soul S-732LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Soul S732LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Soul S732L / Soul S 732LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Soul S-732L DJFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Soul SS 732L / Soul SS 732LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Soul S732L / Soul S-732LFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Soul SS 732L / Soul SS 732LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Soul S732LLP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Venezuela | Motown LPS-77830 - SS-732LLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of Rainbow Funk are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1971 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Canada, Germany, Jamaica and more. One of them is Soul S732L.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S732L, SS 732L, S-732L DJ, 1 C 062-92 750) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A4RS-2967-1 C HS-1871-3 SS-732 S1 H and A4RS-2968-1 C HS-1872-3 SS-732 S2 H. 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.
