Vinyl pressings
by Ray Barretto · 1971
The Message 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.
6 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 4 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.
F 00403 A SON K-4756 STERLINGSide A runout variant 1
F 00403 B SON K-4730 STERLINGSide B runout variant 1
F 00403 A SON K-4729 STERLINGSide A runout variant 2
F 00403 B SON K-4730 STERLINGSide B runout variant 2
F 00403 A SON K-4756Side A, etched
F 00403 B SON K-4756Side B, etched
STERLINGStamped, both sides
F 00403 A SON K-4756Side A runout
F 00403 B SON K-4730 STERLINGSide B runout
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 | Colombia | Discos Melser LP00403First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Panama | Fania Records LP00403 / Fania Records LP 00403First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Peru | Dinsa LPFS 00403First yearLP, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1971 | US | Fania Records SLP00403 / Fania Records SLP 00403First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Fania Records LP00403 / Fania Records LP 00403First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | US | Fania Records LP00403 / Fania Records (S)LP#00403First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | US | Fania Records SLP00403 / Fania Records SLP 00403LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Fania Records LP00403 / Fania Records LP 00403LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | US | Fania Records SLP00403 / Fania Records SLP 00403LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| 1972 | Uruguay | Clave CI 32054LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Fania Records SLP 00403 / Fania Records SLP00403LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Fania Records SLP 00403LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | US | Fania Records SLP00403 / Fania Records SLP 00403LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Fania Records SLP00403 / Fania Records SLP 00403LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Fania Records SLP00403 / Fania Records SLP 00403LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Venezuela | Fania Records LP-7833LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Venezuela | Barbaro LPS-77.833 / Fania Records LP-7833LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Venezuela | Fania Records LPS-77.833 (SLP 00403)LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Venezuela | Fania Records LP-7833LP, Album | LP, Album |
19 vinyl pressings of The Message are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Colombia, Panama, Peru. One of them is Fania Records SLP00403.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SLP00403, LP00403, LPFS 00403) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, F 00403 A SON K-4756 STERLING and F 00403 B SON K-4730 STERLING. 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.
