Vinyl pressings
by Stevie Wonder · 1971
Where I'm Coming From was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. 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 1971, the album's first year, in 15 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.
Z4RS-3233-2- ΛI IMachine-stamped, Side A runout
Z4RS-3234-2- ΛI IMachine-stamped, Side B runout
TS-308 A ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HS 1761-5Etched in Side A runout
TS-308 B ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HS 1762-4Etched in Side B runout
HS-1761-5 3-8-71 [Randy Kling signature]Side A runout
HS-1762-4 3-8-71 [Randy Kling signature]Side B runout
Z4RS-3233-2-C HS-1761-5 TS-308 A ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HRunout A, variant 1
Z4RS-3234-2-C HS-1762-4 TS-308-B ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HRunout B, variant 1
Z4RS-3233-2-C HS-1761-5 TS-308 A ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HRunout A, variant 2
Z4RS-3234-2-C HS-1762-4 TS-308-B ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HRunout B, variant 2
Z4RS-3233-2-D (crossed out)Machine-stamped, Side A runout
Z4RS-3234-2-D (crossed out)Machine-stamped, Side B runout
TS-308 A (crossed out) ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HS 1761-5 3-8-71Etched in Side A runout
TS-308 B (crossed out) ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HS 1762-4 3-8-71Etched in Side B runout
Z4RS-3233-2- B1Stamped, Side A
Z4RS-3234-2- I A2Stamped, Side B
TS-308 A ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HS 1761-5Etched in Side A
TS-308 B ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HS 1762-4Etched in Side B
Z4RS-3233-2- ΛI IStamped, Side A
Z4RS-3234-2- ΛI IStamped, Side B
TS-308 A ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HS 1761-5Etched in Side A
TS-308 B ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HS 1762-4Etched in Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Tamla Motown STMLO 10063 / Tamla Motown STMLO-10063First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Brazil | Motown LPS-308 / Motown T-308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Tamla TS 308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | France | Tamla Motown 2C 062 92429 / Tamla Motown 2C 062 - 92.429First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 062-92 429First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Jamaica | Tamla Motown TS 308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Tamla Motown SWG-7515First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Mexico | Tamla Motown STAM-294First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 062-92429 / Tamla Motown TS 308First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown STMLM 6077 / Tamla Motown STMLM.6077First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Philippines | Tamla TS-308First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | South Africa | Tamla Motown TMC 5183First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Tamla TS308 / Tamla TS-308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Tamla TS308 / Tamla TS-308First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Tamla T 308 / Tamla TS 308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Motown M5-247LLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | UK | Tamla Motown STMS 5075LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | US | Motown 5247MLLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Motown 5247MLLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Spain | Tamla Motown SNL1-60059LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Motown MOT-21 / Motown TS-308LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Tamla TS308 / Tapecar LP-T-308LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Motown 2C 066-92429LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Tamla Motown 2C 062-92429LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| ? | Germany | Tamla Motown WL72108LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Not On Label ORL 8640LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Japan | Tamla Motown SWG-7515 / Tamla Motown SMOT-10017LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 062-92429 / Tamla Motown 5C 062-92 429LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 1A 062 92429 / Tamla Motown TS 308LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 062-92429 / Tamla TS 308LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11183LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11183 / Tamla Motown IE 062 ⚬ 92429LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Motown 5247MLLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Tamla T 308 / Tamla TS308LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
43 vinyl pressings of Where I'm Coming From are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1971 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Italy, Australia and more. One of them is Tamla TS308.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TS308, T 308, STML 11183, TSM ST 60008) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Z4RS-3233-2- ΛI I and Z4RS-3234-2- ΛI I. 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.
