Vinyl pressings
by Smokey Robinson · 1974
Pure Smokey was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 8 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.
T6-33151-D5RS-7502-1 03G D5RS-7502-1-03 <scratchout> E HSide 1 runout, etched [except "H" stamped]
T6-33151-D5RS-7503-2 03G D5RS-7503-2-03 <scratchout> E HSide 2 runout, etched [except "H" stamped]
D5RS-7502-1Side 1 Center Label
D5RS-7503-2Side 2 Center Label
T331V1-D5RS-7502-1 S 13A TVCAA Side Etched [T over V]
T331V1-D5RS-7503-2 13B TVCAB Side Etched [T over V]
D5RS-7502-1A Side Label
D5RS-7503-2B Side Label
T331V1-D5RS-7502-1 S-01A IA Side Etched [T over V]
T331V1-D5RS-7503-2 01A I A1B Side Etched [T over V]
D5RS-7502-1A Side Label
D5RS-7503-2B Side Label
T6-331-D5RS-7502 1A S 2A Side Etched
T6-331-D5RS-7503 1A S1B Side Etched
D5RS-7502-1A Side Label
D5RS-7503-2B Side Label
D5KS-7502-1Side One Label
D5KS-7503-2Side Two 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | Motown CT 331V1 / Tamla T-331V1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 062-95 213First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Italy | Tamla Motown TSM-ST 60068First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Tamla Motown SWX-6122First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Japan | Tamla Motown SWX-6122First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Philippines | Motown T-331V1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | Tamla Motown S-32.579First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11265 / Tamla Motown 0C 062 ◦ 95213First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11265First yearLP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Tamla T6-331S1 / Tamla T 331V1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Tamla T331V1-DJ / Tamla T6 331S1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Tamla T 331V1-DJ / Tamla T6-331S1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Tamla T 331V1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Tamla T6-331S1 / Tamla T 331V1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Tamla T6-331S1 / Tamla T 331V1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Motown M 5168LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-168V1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-168V1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-168V1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | France & Benelux | Motown 535025 / Vogue 535025LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Germany | Motown 230·15·068LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | UK | Tamla Motown STMS 5043LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | USA & Europe | Tamla 620931 / Elemental Music 620931LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Tamla T6-331S1 / Tamla T 331V1LP, Album | LP, Album |
25 vinyl pressings of Pure Smokey are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1974 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Tamla T6-331S1, released March 15, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T6-331S1, T 331V1, T331V1-DJ, T 331V1-DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T6-33151-D5RS-7502-1 03G D5RS-7502-1-03 <scratchout> E H and T6-33151-D5RS-7503-2 03G D5RS-7503-2-03 <scratchout> E H. 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.
