Vinyl pressings
by Sun Ra · 1973
Astro Black was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 2 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.
IT AS-9255 A 3 BA-side runout etching, variant 1
TI AS-9255 B 3 B6B-side runout etching, variant 1
T1 AS-9255-A ② #A-side runout etching, variant 2
T1 AS09255-B ①B-side runout etching, variant 2
IT AS-9255 A ③ B 6Side A runout
TI AS-9255 B ③ ASide B runout
AS 9255 A 2I M6 295965 ISide A Runout
AS 9255 B 2I M6 295966 ISide B Runout
AS 9255 ASide A Label
AS 9255 BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | France | Impulse! AS-9255First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Impulse! AS-9255 / ABC Records AS-9255First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic |
| 1973 | US | Impulse! AS-9255 / ABC Records AS-9255First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic |
| 1973 | US | Impulse! AS-9255First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo, Quadraphonic · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo, Quadraphonic · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Germany | Impulse! AS-9255LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2018 | US | Modern Harmonic MH-8080LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2018 | US | Modern Harmonic MH-8080LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | US | Sundazed Music MH-8080LP, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2021 | Unknown | Modern Harmonic MH-8080LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Modern Harmonic MH-8080LP, Album, Reissue, Repress · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress · Colored vinyl |
10 vinyl pressings of Astro Black are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1973 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, France. One of them is Impulse! AS-9255.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AS-9255) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IT AS-9255 A 3 B and TI AS-9255 B 3 B6. 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.
