Vinyl pressings
by Taj Mahal · 1975
Music Keeps Me Together was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 5 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.
2 AL-33801 - 1C ᴘ PXT MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA NS/BERunout A etched (2 ᴘ stamps)
BL-33801-1D T ᴊ ARunout B stamped (T etched)
AL 33801Label A
BL 33801Label B
P AL-33801-1C MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA NS/BCRunout side A, variant 1
P BL-33801-1A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA NS/BC ARunout side B, variant 1
P AL-33801-1A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA NS/BE ARunout side A, variant 2
P BL-33801-1C MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA NS/BERunout side B, variant 2
AL-33801-1B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA NS/BEA side runout, etched & stamped
BL-33801-1B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA NS/BEB side runout, etched & stamped
AL 33801A side label
BL 33801B side label
AL-33801-1C PXT NS/BEA side runout, etched
BL-33801-1A PXT NS/BEB side runout, etched
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILABoth sides, stamped
AL 33801A side label
A MX176445 SBP234754-1Side A runout, stamped
A MX176446 SBP234754-2Side B runout, stamped
MX176445Side A label
MX176446Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | CBS SBP 234754 / CBS PC 33801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Australia | CBS SBP 234754 / CBS PC 33801First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Canada | Columbia KC 33801First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Europe | CBS CBS 80972First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | CBS S 80972First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Columbia PC 33801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Columbia PC 33801First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Columbia PC 33801First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Columbia PC 33801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Spain | CBS S 80972LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Music Keeps Me Together are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1975 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia PC 33801, released September 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PC 33801, S 80972, SBP 234754, KC 33801) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2 AL-33801 - 1C ᴘ PXT MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA NS/BE and BL-33801-1D T ᴊ A. 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.
