Vinyl pressings
by The Blues Brothers · 1978
Soul Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, 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.
STA 36122-5 [MR logo] △ 105482 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
STA 36221-6 [MR logo] △ 105483 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
STA 36122-5 [MR logo] △ 105482 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
STA 36221-5 [MR logo] △ 105483 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
STA 36122-1 SP STERLINGEtched in runout A, variation 1 STERLING stamped
STA 36122-1 SP STERLINGEtched in runout B, variation 1 STERLING stamped
STA 36121-1 SP STERLINGEtched in runout A, variation 2 STERLING stamped
STA-36121-2 SP STERLINGEtched in runout B, variation 2 STERLING stamped
ST-A-36122 RILabel Side A
ST-A-36121 RILabel Side B
A-36122 MOMono Side Label
ST-A-36122 MOStereo Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Atlantic 45-3545First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Belgium | Atlantic ATL 11.244 / Atlantic ATL.11 244First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono, Stereo · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono, Stereo · Mono |
| 1978 | Canada | Atlantic AT 3545First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Atlantic AT 3545First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | France | Atlantic 11 244First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 11.244 / Atlantic ATL.11.244.First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono, Stereo · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono, Stereo · Mono |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Atlantic 45-3545First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Atlantic K 11244First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | US | Atlantic 3545First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Atlantic 3545First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1978 | US | Atlantic 3545First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | US | Atlantic 3545First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | US | Atlantic 7-89492First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Atlantic 7-89492First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Atlantic 3545First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Atlantic 7-894927", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Atlantic Recording Corporation 35457", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
25 vinyl pressings of Soul Man are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1978 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Atlantic 3545, released December 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3545, 7-89492, K 11244, 45-3545) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STA 36122-5 [MR logo] △ 105482 STERLING and STA 36221-6 [MR logo] △ 105483 STERLING. 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.
