Vinyl pressings
by Ron Carter · 1970
Uptown Conversation was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 3 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.
ST-EM-691747-ASide A runout, variant 1
ST-EM-691748-ASide B runout, variant 1
ST-EM-691747-A (P) PSide A runout, variant 2
ST-EM-691748-A (P)Side B runout, variant 2
ST-EM-691747-A 0-1 PR-SPSide A
ST-EM-691748-A PR-SPSide B
ST-EM-691747 SPCenter Label, Side A
ST-EM-691748 SPCenter Label, Side B
ST-EM-691747-A PA runout etched
ST-EM-691748-AA runout etched
ST-EM-691747 PRA label
ST-EM-691748 PRB label
ST-EM-691747-AA-MO (MR) 14488Side A Runout
ST-EM-691748-AA-MO (MR) 14488Side B Runout
ST-EM-691747 MOSide A Label
ST-EM-691748 MOSide B Label
EM-13211-A W ATRunout Side A
EM-13212-A W ATRunout Side B
EM-13211 PRLabel Side A
EM-13212 PRLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | Embryo Records SD 521First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Italy | Embryo Records SD 521 / Atlantic ATS ST 05522First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Embryo Records SD 521First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Embryo Records SD 521First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Embryo Records SD 521First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Embryo Records SD 521First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Embryo Records SD 521First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Embryo Records SD 521 / Embryo Records 521First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | Japan | Embryo Records P-7514ALP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1976 | Japan | Embryo Records P-7514ALP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Uptown Conversation are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1970 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Canada, Italy. One of them is Embryo Records SD 521.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 521) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-EM-691747-A and ST-EM-691748-A. 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.
