Vinyl pressings
by Santana · 1987
Freedom 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.
20 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
PAL-40272-DMM- 1A G1 MASTERDISK D4SIDE 1 Etched, Variant 1
PBL-40272-DMM- 1A G1 MASTERDISK B4SIDE 2 Etched, Variant 1
PAL-40272-DMM- 1A G2 MASTERDISK A17SIDE 1 Etched, Variant 2
PBL-40272-DMM- G5 MASTERDISK A4SIDE 2 Etched, Variant 2
450394-A1 VSide 1 Runout
450394-B1 VSide 2 Runout
450394 1A*Side 1 Label
450394 2B*Side 2 Label
AL-40272 1A 2G DM3Runout side A
BL-40272 1A 2G DM3Runout side B
AL 40272Label side A
BL 40272Label side B
MASTERDISK AL-40272-1c G1 450394 A QSide A runout
MASTERDISK PBL-40272-DMM G5 450394 B QSide B runout
FC 40272both Sides 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | Discos CBS 120.000.864 / CBS 120.000.864First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Argentina | Discos CBS 120.000.864 / CBS 120.000.864First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia | CBS 450394 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | Discos CBS 138.702First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Colombia | Columbia 142009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Costa Rica | CBS 1100975First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | CBS CBS 450394 1 / CBS FC 40272First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | CBS CBSCL 14 427 9 / CBS CBS 450 394 1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Greece | CBS CBS 450394 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony CYA 1213First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Mexico | CBS CLS-450394First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Portugal | CBS 450394 1 / CBS CBS 450394 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | South Korea | Jigu Records KJPL-0514 / CBS FC-40272First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | CBS CBS 450394 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | CBS 450394 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2370 / Columbia MOVLP2370LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS 462523 1LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Europe | CBS 462523 1LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
27 vinyl pressings of Freedom are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1987 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Canada, Israel and more. One of them is Columbia FC 40272.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 40272, 450394 1, CBS 450394-1, 28AP 3292) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL-40272-DMM- 1A G1 MASTERDISK D4 and PBL-40272-DMM- 1A G1 MASTERDISK B4. 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.
