Vinyl pressings
by The Salsoul Orchestra · 1977
Magic Bird Of Fire was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 7 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.
P 12D2028 [B crossed out]A BRunout side A, variant 1
P 12D2028 [A crossed out]B ARunout side B, variant 1
P 12D2028 ARunout side A, variant 2
P 12D2028 X B 2 ARunout side B, variant 2
FW/Ѽ P SZ-2038BS-1 al BrownRunouts
SZ-2038-BSLabels
GKAS 31644 1S T2 - 1A 1Runout side A
GKAS 31645 1S T2 - 1A 2 IIRunout side B
GKAS 31644A side label
GKAS 31645B side label
SD-2028-ALabel A-side
SD-2028-BLabel B-side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Salsoul Records 6037 654First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Salsoul Records 12D-2028First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Canada | Salsoul Records 12D-2028First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1977 | Italy | Salsoul Records 12D 2028First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Jamaica | Salsoul Records SZ 2038First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Japan | Salsoul Records 45S-1005First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | Salsoul Records 45S-1005First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | South Africa | Salsoul Records SAS 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Salsoul Records 12D-2028 / Salsoul Records 12D 2028First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Salsoul Records 12D-2028First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Salsoul Records SZ-2038 DJBFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Italy | Salsoul Records SZ 2038First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1977 | Italy | Salsoul Records SZ 2038First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of Magic Bird Of Fire are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Italy, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Salsoul Records 12D-2028.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12D-2028, SZ-2038 DJB, SZ 2038, 6037 654) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P 12D2028 [B crossed out]A B and P 12D2028 [A crossed out]B 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.
