US
February 1972- Label and catalog number
- Columbia KC 31061
- Format
- LP, Album · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
AL-31061-1B I S A3 0 PRunout side A
BL-31061-1B I S A4 0 PRunout side B
AL 31061Label side A
BL 31061Label side B
Vinyl pressings
Science Fiction
by Ornette Coleman · 1972
21 pressings10 countriesFree JazzModalJazz
Science Fiction 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 Science Fiction
14 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 8 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
February 1972- Label and catalog number
- Columbia C 31061Columbia 31061
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
P AL-31061-1ARunout side A
P BL-31061-1ARunout side B
AL 31061Label side A
BL 31061Label side B
US
February 1972- Label and catalog number
- Columbia KC 31061
- Format
- LP, Album · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
P AL-31061-1E I TRunout side A variant 1
P BL-31061-1C I TRunout side B variant 1
P AL-31061-1C I T A2Runout side A variant 2
c P BL-31061-1C I T C4Runout side B variant 2
US
1972- Label and catalog number
- Columbia KC 31061
- Format
- LP, Album · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
o P AL-31061-1A P 2 VSide A runout variant 1
o P BL-31061-1A VSide B runout variant 1
o P AL-31061-1C IT B4Side A runout variant 2
o P BL-31061-1C 1T B |0|Side B runout variant 2
US
1972- Label and catalog number
- Columbia KC 31061Columbia C 31061
- Format
- LP, Album · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
AL 31061-1F I TEtched runout side A
BL-31061-1C I T IIV o PEtched runout side B; ‘BL-31061-1C’ stamped
AL 31061Label side A
BL 31061Label side B
US
1972- Label and catalog number
- Columbia 31061Columbia C 31061
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Terre Haute pressing
- Runout / matrix
AL 31061-1F 1TRunout side A
BL 31061-1G 1TRunout side B
AL 31061-1F 1TRunout side A (Variant 1, etched)
P BL 31061-1C 1TRunout side B (Variant 1, stamped)
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 21 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s14 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | CBS SBP 234104First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia KC 31061First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Europe | CBS S 64774First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | CBS S 64774First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPL-18First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPL-18First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Spain | CBS S 64774First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31061First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31061 / Columbia C 31061First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia 31061 / Columbia C 31061First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | USA & Canada | Columbia C 31061First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31061First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia C 31061 / Columbia 31061First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31061First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
1980s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Spain | CBS LSP 982153-1LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | CBS LSP 982153-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
2010s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Columbia KC 31061 / ORG Music ORGM-2017LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
2020s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Russia | Endless Happiness HE72011LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia KC 31061LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Netherlands | Columbia 64774LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia KC 31061LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1What Reason Could I Give3:01
- A2Civilization Day6:02
- A3Street Woman5:45
- A4Science Fiction5:05
- B1Rock The Clock4:52
- B2All My Life4:00
- B3Law Years5:29
- B4The Jungle Is A Skyscraper5:25
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Science Fiction are there?
21 vinyl pressings of Science Fiction are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1972 and 2025.
When was Science Fiction first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Columbia KC 31061, released February 1972.
How do I tell if my copy of Science Fiction is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC 31061, C 31061, 31061, SBP 234104) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-31061-1B I S A3 0 P and BL-31061-1B I S A4 0 P. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Science Fiction 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.
