Vinyl pressings
by The Fatback Band · 1983
Is This The Future? was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. 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 1983, 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.
A-1 <-> SP-1-6738-AS Herbie Jr. :-)Side 1 Runout
A-1 <-> SP-1-6738-BS F/W Herbie Jr. :-)Side 2 Runout
Mastered by Frankford/Wayne New YorkSide 1 Runout Stamped
SP-1-6738-AS Mastered by Frankford/Wayne New York Herbie Jr. :-) PRC-1-12Side 1 Runout etched and stamped (complete)
SP-1-6738-BS F/W Herbie Jr. :-) PRC-1-1-1Side 2 Runout etched and stamped (complete)
Mastered by Frankford/Wayne New YorkSide 1 Runout Stamped
SP-1-6738-ASSide 1 Label
SP-1-6738-AS Herbie Jr. :-) PRC-1-1Side 1 Runout
SP-1-6738-BS-PRC-C1-1-1 Herbie Jr. :-)Side 2 Runout
Mastered by Frankford/Wayne New YorkSide 1 Runout Stamped
SP-1-6738-ASSide 1 Label
A1 2391 563 S1 320Machine pressed side A
B1 2391 563 S2 320Machine pressed 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 2391 563First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Jamaica | Polydor SP-1-6738First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Spring Records 28MM 0278First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Spring Records 28MM 0278First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Spring Records POLD 5108 / Polydor 2391 563First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Spring Records POLD 5108First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6738 / Spring Records 2391 563First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6738 / Spring Records 2391 563First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6738 / Spring Records 2391 563First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6738LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | US | Spring Records SPR 33-6743 / Spring Records 2391 563LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Africa | WEA WIC 8022LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Is This The Future? are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1983 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Germany, Jamaica and more. One of them is Spring Records SP-1-6738.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-1-6738, POLD 5108, 2391 563, 28MM 0278) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A-1 <-> SP-1-6738-AS Herbie Jr. :-) and A-1 <-> SP-1-6738-BS F/W Herbie Jr. :-). 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.
