Vinyl pressings
by Savoy Brown · 1969
Blue Matter was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 6 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.
ZAL-8682-2WSide A, stamped
ZAL-8683-1WSide B, stamped
{ZAL.8682}Label A, printed
{ZAL.8683}Label B, printed
ZAL-8682-2W U 1 JTSide A runout
ZAL-8683-1W U 1 JTSide B runout
ZAL.8682Side A label upside down in braces
ZAL.8683Side B label upside down in braces
ARL-8682-1ARunout side A
ARL-8683-1ARunout side B
ZAL-8682-1ASide A runout, variant 1
ZAL-8683-1ASide B runout, variant 1
ZAL-8682-1C-W Bell SoundSide A runout, variant 2
ZAL-8683-1C-W Bell SoundSide B runout, variant 2
ZAL 8682Side A Label
ZAL 8683Side B Label
ZAL 8682-1C Bell SoundA side runout
ZAL 8683-1C Bell SoundB side runout
ZAL 8682 WA side label
ZAL 8683 WB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Decca SKLA 4994First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Australia | Decca SKLA-4994First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Canada | Parrot PAS 71027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Germany | Decca SLK 16597-PFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Germany | Decca SLK 16597-PFirst yearLP, Promo, White Label, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, White Label, Stereo · Promo |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Decca SKLM 4994 / Decca SKLM.4994First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Decca LK 4994First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | US | Parrot PAS 71027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Parrot PAS 71027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Parrot PAS 71027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Parrot PAS 71027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Parrot PAS-71027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Parrot PAS 71027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Parrot PAS 71027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Parrot PAS 71027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | France | Decca 192.012LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Japan | London Records SLC 294LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Australia | World Record Club R-01905 / World Record Club R 01905LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1979 | Mexico | Richmond B-20271LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Decca 375 065-9LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2013 | UK | Decca 375065-9LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Parrot PAS 71027LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | Decca SKL 4994LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SKL 4994LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SKL 4994LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SKL 4994LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SKL 4994LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SKL 4994LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Parrot PAS 71027LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
33 vinyl pressings of Blue Matter are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1969 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Decca SKL 4994, released May 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SKL 4994, LK 4994, PAS 71027, PAS-71027) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-8682-2W and ZAL-8683-1W. 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.
