Vinyl pressings
by Salif Keita · 1987
Soro was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 5 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.
STERNS 1020 A1̷ 2 MPORunout side A, etched, 1̷ x-ed
STERNS 1020 B1̷ 2 MPORunout side B, etched, 1̷ x-ed
STERNS 1020ALabel side A
STERNS 1020BLabel side B
MLPS- 9808-A 1-1Side 1
MLPS- 9808-B 1-1Side 2
[Specialty Recording Company stamp]Both Sides
SYL 8327 ARunout, side a, printed
SYL 8327 BRunout, side b, printed
AMRunout, both sides, etched
240750 1 A 1 M6 355881 2 AMRunout side A
240750 1 B 1 M6 355882 2 AMRunout side B
DMD 253G A 1/1 90 CSIDE A
DMD 253G B 1/1 90 CSIDE 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | France | Pathé Marconi EMI 2407501First yearLP | LP |
| 1987 | France | Syllart Records SYL 8327First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | France | EMI 2407501First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Island Records 208 904First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Island Records mlps 9808First yearLP | LP |
| 1987 | UK | Stern's Africa STERNS 1020First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Mango MLPS 9808First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Island Records ISL 1180 / Mango ISL 1180LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | Virgin VG 71465LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Australia | Mango L38923LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Brazil | Island Records 842775-1 / Mango 842775-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | South Africa | Shifty Records SHIFT (V) 45LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Stern's Africa STERNS 1020LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Stern's Africa STERNS 1020LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Soro are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1987 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is Stern's Africa STERNS 1020.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STERNS 1020, MLPS 9808, 2407501, SYL 8327) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STERNS 1020 A1̷ 2 MPO and STERNS 1020 B1̷ 2 MPO. 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.
