Vinyl pressings
by Sting · 1991
The Soul Cages was first pressed on vinyl in 1991. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1991, the album's first year, in 21 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.
75021-6405-1A DMM-REI-SP1 MasterdiskSide A runout, variant 1
75021-6405-1-B DMM-SP1Side B runout, variant 1
75021-6405-1A DMM-RE1-SP1 SP1-1 MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 2
75021-6405-1-B DMM-SP1 SP1-2Side B runout, variant 2
3 964051 A-1 U-1-Side A runout, variant 1
3964051 B-3 U-1-Side B runout, variant 1
3 964051 A-1 U-1-Side A runout, variant 2
3964051 B-1 U-1-Side B runout, variant 2
3 964051 A-1 U-1- MASTERDISK 3̶ ̶9̶6̶4̶0̶5̶1̶ ̶A̶-̶1̶ ̶U̶-̶1̶-̶ 75021-6405-A2-REI-DMM S̶P̶4̶ INTL SP1-8Runout side A, variant 1
3964051 B-1 U-1- 3̶9̶6̶4̶0̶5̶1̶ ̶B̶-̶1̶ ̶U̶-̶1̶-̶ 3 75021-6405-1BD̶M̶M̶-̶2̶ INT'L SET 2 SP 1-4Runout side B, variant 1
3 964051 A-1U-1- MASTERDISK 3̶9̶6̶4̶0̶5̶1̶ A̶-̶1̶U̶-̶1̶-̶ 75021-6405-A2-REI-DMM S̶P̶I̶ INTL SPI-8Runout side A, variant 2
3964051 B-3U-1-1 75021-6405-B-INTL-4Runout side B, variant 2
COL 396.405.1 Aside A
COL 396.405.1 Bside 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Argentina | A&M Records 396 405-1 / A&M Records 29295First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Brazil | A&M Records 396 405-1 / A&M Records 396405-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Colombia | A&M Records 396 405-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Czech And Slovak Federative Republic | Popron 50 075-1 / A&M Records 50 075-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Ecuador | A&M Records Lp.88067 / A&M Records 7502 16405-2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Europe | A&M Records 396 405-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | Europe | A&M Records 47 716 6LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1991 | Europe | A&M Records 25 293 2LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1991 | Europe | A&M Records 396 405-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Greece | A&M Records 396 405-1 / A&M Records 396405-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Greece | A&M Records 396 405-1 / A&M Records 396405-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1991 | Guatemala | A&M Records 7502 16405 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Hungary | Gong SLPXL 37510 / A&M Records SLPXL 37510First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Italy | A&M Records 397 150-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Mexico | A&M Records LPE 1026 / A&M Records 396 405-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | A&M Records 396 405-1 / A&M Records 008283640510LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2016 | US | A&M Records 3964051LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
35 vinyl pressings of The Soul Cages are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1991 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in US, UK, Argentina, Brazil and more. One of them is A&M Records 75021 6405 1, released January 22, 1991.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 75021 6405 1, 396 405-1, 50 075-1, Lp.88067) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 75021-6405-1A DMM-REI-SP1 Masterdisk and 75021-6405-1-B DMM-SP1. 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.
