Vinyl pressings
by Rick James · 1981
Super Freak was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
44 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 17 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.
310926 A M.P.P.V.Side A runout groove, etched [M.P.P.V. stamped]
310926 B M.P.P.V.Side B runout groove, etched [M.P.P.V. stamped]
(310926 A)Side A Label
(310926 B)Side B Label
101546 A M.P.P.V.Runout side A
101546 B M.P.P.V.Runout side B
101546 ASide A label
101546 BSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Unknown | Motown G 7205FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Motown DS 12080First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | Australia | Motown G 7205First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Motown G 7205First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Bolivia | Motown MS-60.011First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Gordy G 7205XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Gordy G 7205 FFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | France | Motown 310926 / Vogue 310926First year12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1981 | France | Motown 101546 / Vogue 101546First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Motown 100·07·129First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Motown 100·07·129First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Guatemala | Motown G-7205 FFirst year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | Guatemala | Motown G-7205 FFirst year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | Guatemala | Motown G-7205 FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Motown VIPX-1596First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | US | Motown M 35002V112", Reissue | 12", Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Motown 100·07·1297", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
46 vinyl pressings of Super Freak are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1981 and 2005.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in France, UK, US, Germany and more. One of them is Motown 310926.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 310926, 101546, G 7205F, TMGT 1241) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 310926 A M.P.P.V. and 310926 B M.P.P.V.. 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.
