Vinyl pressings
by Roger Taylor · 1984
Strange Frontier was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 18 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.
EJ 2401371 A-2-1-1-1variant 1, side A, runout, stamped
EJ 2401371 B-2-1-1-1variant 1, side B, runout, stamped
EJ 2401371 A-2-1-1-11variant 2, side A, runout, stamped
EJ 2401371 B-1-1-1-1variant 2, side B, runout, stamped
EJ 2401371 A-1-1-1-2 PenthouseSide A runout, stamped
EJ 2401371 B-2-1-1-1 PenthouseSide B runout, stamped
NICKZSide A & B runout, etched
EJ2401371ASide A label
EJ 2401371 A-1-1-1-1 Penthouse NickZSide A runout, stamped / etched
EJ 2401371 B-1-1-1-1 Penthouse NickZSide B runout, stamped / etched
SJ-1-12357 G-7 ·—◁ ER MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A runout
SJ-2-12357 G-5 ·—◁ ER MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B runout
SJ-1-12357Side A label
SJ-2-12357Side B label
ST-1-12357 G - 1 # 1 ER MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Runout A
SJ-2- 12357 G-1 # 3 ER MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Runout B
SJ-1-12357Label A
SJ-2-12357Label B
EJ 2401371 A-1Side A
EJ 2401371 B-1Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | EMI 81 2401371 / EMI 8229First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Brazil | EMI 31C 064 240137First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records SJ-12357First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Colombia | EMI 11968First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1984 | Colombia | EMI 11968First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1C 064 2401371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1C 064 24 0137 1 / EMI 1C 064 2401371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | EMI 2401371First yearLP | LP |
| 1984 | Israel | Portrait EJ 24 0137First yearLP | LP |
| 1984 | Italy | EMI 64 2401371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | EMI EMS-91084First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Mexico | EMI SLEM-1214First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | EMI EJ 24 0137 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI 066 2401371First yearLP | LP |
| 1984 | UK | EMI RTA 1 / EMI EJ 24 0137 1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Omnivore Recordings OVLP-117LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2015 | US | Omnivore Recordings OVLP-117 / Omnivore Recordings 816651016808LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
27 vinyl pressings of Strange Frontier are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1984 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Argentina, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is EMI RTA 1, released June 25, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RTA 1, SJ-12357, 81 2401371, EMC-240137) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EJ 2401371 A-2-1-1-1 and EJ 2401371 B-2-1-1-1. 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.
