Vinyl pressings
by The Main Ingredient · 1971
Black Seeds Keep On Growing was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 10 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.
ZPKS-6620 25 HSide A Runout
ZPKS-6616 1S HSide B Runout
ZPKS-6620 2S HSide A Runout (variant 1)
ZPKS-6616 2S HSide B Runout (variant 1)
ZPKS-6620 35-BRunout A
ZPKS-6616 45-A1ERunout B
ZPKS-6620Label A
ZPKS-6616Label B
ZPKS-6620-5S I- AJ VRunout A
ZPKS-6616-30S I A1Runout B
ZPKS-6620Label A
ZPKS-6616Label B
ZPKS-6620-3S-A1A RA-Side Runout Etching
Z̶P̶K̶S̶-̶6̶6̶2̶0̶ ̶3̶S̶-̶ ZPKS-6616-3S-A1A RB-Side Runout Etching
ZPKS-6620Label A
ZPKS-6616Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | France | RCA Victor 49822First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-0517First year7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1971 | Greece | RCA Victor 46g 99First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Italy | RCA Victor 74-0517First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Japan | RCA SS-2128First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Netherlands | RCA Victor 74-0517First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Philippines | RCA Victor 74-0517First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Portugal | RCA Victor TP 627First yearEP, Mono, 7" · Mono | EP, Mono, 7" · Mono |
| 1971 | Trinidad & Tobago | RCA 74-0517First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor 74-0517First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | US | RCA 74-0517First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor 74-0517First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor 74-0517First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor SPS-45-278First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor 74-0517First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | RCA Victor 74-05177", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor 74-05177", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
19 vinyl pressings of Black Seeds Keep On Growing are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Italy, France, Greece and more. One of them is RCA Victor 74-0517, released July 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 74-0517, SPS-45-278, 74 - 0517, 49822) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZPKS-6620 25 H and ZPKS-6616 1S H. 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.
