Vinyl pressings
by The Staple Singers · 1972
Be Altitude: Respect Yourself was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. 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 1972, the album's first year, in 9 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.
STXS-0030-4 SS-0349 STS-3002 Side 1 Q ARPSide A runout
STXS-0031-3 SS-0350 STS-3002 Side 2 Q ARPSide B runout
SS-0349Side A label
SS-0350Side B label
STXS-0030-2 SS-0349 STS-3002 MR (enclosed in a circle) Side 1 (8 on its side in an oval) △16744Side 1 - Runout: Etched
STXS-0031-2 SS-0350 MR (enclosed in a circle) STS-3002 Side 2 △16744 (8 with a circle going around the left side ) (1)Side 2 - Runout: Etched
STS-3002 (SS-0349)Side 1- Label
STS-3002 (SS-0350)Side 2 - Label
STXS-0030-6 SS-0349 STS-3002 Side 1 SON K-5095Side One Etching
STXS-0031-6 SS-0350 STS-3002 SON Side 2 K-5096Side Two Etching
Side One EtchingSTXS-0030-2 SS-0349 STS-3002 (MR) Side 1 <etched circular squiggle> <etched shape that looks like a metronome> 16744
Side Two EtchingSTXS-0031-2 SS-0350 (MR) STS-3002 Side 1 <etched shape that looks like a metronome> 16744 <etched circular squiggle>
S̶T̶S̶X̶-̶0̶0̶3̶0̶-̶2̶ ̶ ̶ SS-0349 STS 3002 MR △̶1̶6̶7̶1̶4̶ Side 1Runout Side One, Etched (Except Circled MR, Stamped)
S̶T̶S̶X̶-̶0̶0̶3̶1̶-̶2̶ SS-0350 MR STS 3002 Side 2 △̶1̶6̶7̶1̶4̶-̶X̶Runout Side Two, Etched (Except Circled MR, Stamped)
SS-0349Matrix Side One Label
SS-0350Matrix Side Two 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Brazil | Stax 2325 069First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Stax STS 3002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Stax STS 3002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Stax STS 3002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Stax 2325 069First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Stax 2325 069LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | Stax MW 2058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Mexico | Stax 26004 / Stax 2325 069First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Nigeria | Stax 2325 069First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Spain | Stax 2325 069 / Stax 23 25 069First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | Stax 2325 069First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Stax STS 3002 / Stax STS-3002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Stax STS 3002 / Stax STS-3002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Stax STS 3002 / Stax STS-3002LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1972 | US | Stax STS 3002 / Stax STS-3002First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | Stax STX 41016LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | UK | Stax SXE 001LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | US | Stax CR00511 / Craft Recordings CR00511LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Stax STS 3002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Mozambique | Stax TXL.22022LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | South Africa | Stax TXL.22022LP, Album | LP, Album |
29 vinyl pressings of Be Altitude: Respect Yourself are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1972 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Stax STS 3002, released February 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STS 3002, 2325 069, MW 2058, 26004) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STXS-0030-4 SS-0349 STS-3002 Side 1 Q ARP and STXS-0031-3 SS-0350 STS-3002 Side 2 Q ARP. 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.
