US
1971- Label and catalog number
- Impulse! AS-9206ABC Records AS-9206
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
AS-9206 ARunout side A
AS-9206 BRunout side B
AS 9206-ALabel side A
AS 9206-BLabel side B
Vinyl pressings
Thembi
by Pharoah Sanders · 1971
32 pressings10 countriesFree JazzSoul-JazzFree ImprovisationSpiritual Jazz
Thembi 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Thembi
8 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 5 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
1971- Label and catalog number
- Impulse! AS-9206ABC Records AS-9206
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Gatefold, True Sound Pressing
- Runout / matrix
TSM AS-9206 ARunout Side A
TSM AS-9206 BRunout Side B
AS 9206-ALabel Side A
AS 9206-BLabel Side B
US
1971- Label and catalog number
- Impulse! AS-9206ABC Records AS-9206
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
AS-9206 A TSMRunout Side A
AS-9206 B DM-1 TSMRunout Side B
AS 9206-ALabel Side A
AS 9206-BLabel Side B
US
1971- Label and catalog number
- Impulse! AS-9206ABC Records AS-9206
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Gatefold, True Sound Pressing
- Runout / matrix
AS-9206 A TSMRunout Side A, etched
AS 9206 B TSM TSM TSMRunout Side B, etched
AS 9206-ALabel Side A
AS 9206-BLabel Side B
Canada
1971- Label and catalog number
- Impulse! AS-9206
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
AS-9206-A TGRunout Side A
AS-9206-B TGRunout Side B
France
1971- Label and catalog number
- Impulse! AS-9206ABC Records AS-9206
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
AS 9206 A 2I M6 280884Side A runout
AS 9206 B 2I M6 280885Side B runout
AS 9206 - ASide A label
AS 9206 - BSide B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 32 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s15 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Impulse! AS-9206First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | France | Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Records AS-9206First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Japan | Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Records AS-9206First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | South Africa | Impulse! ASC 9206 / ABC Records ASC 9206First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Records AS-9206First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Records AS-9206First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Records AS-9206LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1971 | US | Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Records AS-9206First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Records AS-9206LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1971 | US | Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Records AS-9206First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Records AS-9206LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Records AS-9206LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Records AS-9206LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Records AS-9206LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1976 | France | ABC Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Impulse! AS 9.206LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
1980s6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | MCA Records AS-9206LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-29059 / Impulse! AS-9206LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-29059 / Impulse! AS-9206LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Jasmine Records JAS 53LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Japan | Impulse! P-5914 / Impulse! AS-9206LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| 1987 | US | MCA Impulse! MCA-5860LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
2010s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | US | Impulse! B0028597-01 / Verve Records B0028597-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
2020s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Audio Clarity ACL 0089LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 2024 | Europe | Impulse! AS-9206 / Elemental Music 700218LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2024 | Worldwide | Impulse! AS-9206 / UMe 602465225730LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2024 | Worldwide | Impulse! AS-9206 / UMe 602465225754LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
Year unknown6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Impulse! AS-9206 / MCA Records AS-9206LP, Album, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | Germany | Impulse! AS-9206 / MCA Records AS-9206LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
| ? | Germany | Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Records AS-9206LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| ? | US | Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Records AS-9206LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Records AS-9206LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Impulse! AS-9206 / ABC Records AS-9206LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1Astral Traveling5:43
- A2Red, Black & Green8:56
- A3Thembi6:55
- B1Love5:13
- B2Morning Prayer9:11
- B3Bailophone Dance5:43
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Thembi are there?
32 vinyl pressings of Thembi are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1971 and 2024.
When was Thembi first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Canada, France, Japan and more. One of them is Impulse! AS-9206.
How do I tell if my copy of Thembi is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AS-9206, ASC 9206) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AS-9206 A and AS-9206 B. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Thembi 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.
