Vinyl pressings
by Ramsey Lewis · 1973
Funky Serenity was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
pStamped in runout areas
P AL 32030-2ASide A stamped (Variant 1)
P AL 32030-2BSide B stamped (Variant 1)
P AL 32030-2A p CA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
P AL 32030-2DRunout side A, variant 1
P BL 32030-2ARunout side B, variant 1
P P AL 32030-2FRunout side A, variant 2
P BL 32030-2ARunout side B, variant 2
P AL-32030-2B S A5 oSide A runout
P BL-32030-2B oSide B runout
AL 32030Side A label
BL 32030Side A label
P AL 32030-2A oSide A runout
P AL 32030-2A oSide B runout
AL 32030Side A Label
BL 32030Side B Label
P AL-32030-2C 2 TRunout, Side A
P BL 32030-2C 2 T B4Runout, Side B
AL 32030Label, Side A
BL 32030Label, Side B
S 65307 A1Runout side A
S 65307 B1Runout side B
S 65307 ALabel side A
S 65307 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | Columbia KC 32030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Israel | CBS 65307First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPL 184LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1973 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPL 184LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1973 | Malaysia | CBS/Sony KC 32030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Netherlands | CBS S 65307First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | Date DAS 2156 / Date DAS.2156First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Spain | CBS S 65307First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | CBS S 65307First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Columbia KC 32030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Columbia C 32030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Columbia KC 32030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Columbia KC 32030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Columbia KC 32030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS SBP234299LP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of Funky Serenity are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Canada, Israel and more. One of them is Columbia KC 32030.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC 32030, C 32030, S 65307, 65307) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, p and P AL 32030-2A. 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.
