Vinyl pressings
by Ray Bryant · 1967
Slow Freight was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1967, the album's first year, in 6 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.
XCTV-125634-1ARunout, side A, stamped
XCTV-125635-1ARunout, side B, stamped
#15339 XCTV-125634Center label, side A
#15340 XCTV-125635Center label, side B
XCSV125637-1A
XCSV125636-1A
4TRS-1192-2A LPS - 781 15339-R S-1Runout, Side A, etched
4TRS-1193-2A LPS - 781 15340-R S-2Runout, Side B, etched
4trs-1192-1 S-1 15339 LPS-781
4trs-1193-1 15340 S-2 15 340
4TRS-1192-2 LPS-781 S-1 15339-R XRunout, side A, etched
4TRS-1193-2 LPS-781 S-2 15339-R TV ΩRunout, side B, etched
4TRS-1192 / LPS-781Center label, side A
4TRS-1193 / LPS-781Center label, side B
LP-781 S-1 15339 HTRM-1190-1CRunout, side A, stamped
HTRM -1191-1C LP-781 S-2 15340Runout, side B, stamped
15339Center label, side A
15340Center label, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Canada | Cadet LPS 781 / Cadet LPS - 781First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | Canada | Cadet LP 781 / Cadet CA 781First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Canada | Cadet LPS 781 / Cadet CAS 781First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | Japan | Globe SMJ-7434First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Netherlands | Chess International MAR S-3087First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | Spain | Cadet HXS 001-12 / Hispavox HX (S) 001-12First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Cadet LP 781First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Cadet LP 781 / Cadet LP-781First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Cadet LPS 781 / Cadet LPS-781First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Cadet LPS 781 / Cadet LPS-781First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Cadet LPS 781 / Cadet LPS-781First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Cadet LP 781 / Cadet LP-781First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | Italy | Cadet D. 30-154First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Japan | Cadet SMJ-6017LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Japan | Baybridge Records ULS-6118-B / Cadet ULS-6118-BLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Baybridge Records UPS-2224-BC / Cadet UPS-2224-BCLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Bellaphon BJS 4014 / Chess BJS 4014LP, Album | LP, Album |
17 vinyl pressings of Slow Freight are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1967 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, Italy, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Cadet LP 781, released March 1967.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LP 781, LPS 781, D. 30-154, SMJ-7434) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XCTV-125634-1A and XCTV-125635-1A. 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.
