Vinyl pressings
by Sam & Dave · 1967
Soul Man / May I Baby 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.
23 pressings came out in 1967, the album's first year, in 13 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.
STX-12842-1 LW AT △68015 MA-side runout, etched
STX-12843-1 LW AT △68015-X MB-side runout, etched
(MR)Both sides runout, stamped
STX-12842-MOA-side label
W STX-12842-31 [ARP] LW ATRunout, side A, etched, except [ARP] stamped
W STX-12843-31 LW AT [ARP]Runout, side B, etched, except [ARP] stamped
STX-12842-AMLabel side A
STX-12843-AMLabel sIde B
STX-12842-1 SRC LW AT WA side runout, variant 1
STX-12843-1 SRC LW AT WB side runout, variant 1
STX-12482 - 2 SRC LW AT WA side runout, variant 2
STX-12843 - 1 LW AT SRC WB side runout, variant 2
STX-12842-11 LW AT WA side etched
STX-12843-1 LW AT WB side etched
STX-12842-PLA side label
STX-12843-PLB side label
W STX-12842-1 (Specialty Records Corp. logo) LW ATA-side - etched
W STX-12843-1 (Specialty Records Corp. logo) LW ATB-side - etched
STX-12842 SPA-side label
STX-12843 SPB-side label
STX-12842-1 LW AT WA side etched
STX-12842-1 LW AT WB side etched
STX-12842-PLA side label
STX-12842-PLB side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Canada | Stax 231XFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | France | Stax STAX 169.016 / Stax 169 016First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | France | C.E.D. / Riviera 169.016First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1967 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 70.235First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Greece | Atlantic 0 595First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Peru | Atlantic AT 7006 FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Portugal | Atlantic N-28-4 / Alvorada N-28-4First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | South Africa | Atlantic ATT 389First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1967 | Sweden | Atlantic ATL 70.235First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1967 | Sweden | Atlantic ATL 70.235First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | UK | Stax 601023First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | UK | Stax 601023First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | US | Stax S-231First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | US | Stax 45-231First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | Australia | Atlantic AK-2000First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Stax S-2317", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
29 vinyl pressings of Soul Man / May I Baby are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1967 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and more. One of them is Stax S-231, released August 21, 1967.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S-231, 45-231, 601023, AK-2000) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STX-12842-1 LW AT △68015 M and STX-12843-1 LW AT △68015-X M. 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.
