Vinyl pressings
by The Temptations · 1968
Cloud Nine was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
4 W4KM-5841-1 J N-EI-N-493M03 ARPRunout, side A, stamped / etched, variant 1
4 W4KM-5842-1 J N-K-N-493M01 ARPRunout, side B, stamped / etched, variant 1
4 W4KM-5841-1 J N-EI-N-493M03 MMK ⋉ARPRunout, side A, stamped / etched, variant 2
4 W4KM-5842-1 J N-K-N-493M01 MMK ⋉ ARPRunout, side B, stamped / etched, variant 2
W4KM-5841 / N-E-1-N-493M03A side label
N-E1-N-493M03(scribed, curved upwards) W4KM-5841-1 E(stamped, curved downwards) [scribble, followed by K] (scribed, signature) [sideways S](scribed) H(stamped)A side deadwax
W4KM-5842 / N-K-N-493M01B side label
N-K-N-493M01(scribed, curved upwards) W4KM-5842-1 F(stamped, curved downwards) [scribble, followed by K] (scribed, signature) H(stamped)B side deadwax
W4KM-5841 / N-E-1-N-493M03A side label
N-E1-N-493M03 W4KM-5841-1 I IVA side deadwax
W4KM-5842 / N-K-N-493M01B side label
N-K-N-493M01 W4KM-5842-1 I K1B side deadwax
W4KM-5841 / N-E-1-N-493M03A side label
N-E1-N-493M03(scribed, curved upwards) W4KM-5841-1 E(stamped, curved downwards) [scribble, followed by K] (scribed, signature) [sideways S](scribed) H(stamped)A side deadwax
W4KM-5842 / N-K-N-493M01B side label
N-K-N-493M01(scribed, curved upwards) W4KM-5842-1 F(stamped, curved downwards) [scribble, followed by K] (scribed, signature) H(stamped)B side deadwax
W4KM-5841 / N-E-1-N-493M03A side label
N-E1-N-493M03 W4KM-5841-1 I IVA side deadwax
W4KM-5842 / N-K-N-493M01B side label
N-K-N-493M01 W4KM-5842-1 I K1B side deadwax
N-E1-N-493M03 W4KM 5841-1engraved deadwax Side A
N-K-N-493M01 W4KM 5842-1engraved deadwax 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-8608First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Canada | Tamla Motown G-7081First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | France | Tamla Motown FT 151First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | India | Tamla Motown ETM.16First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Japan | Motown JET-1883First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.704First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Norway | Tamla Motown TMG 707First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Spain | Tamla Motown M-5049First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1968 | US | Gordy G-7081-djFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Gordy G-7081First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Gordy G 7081First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Gordy G-7081First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1968 | US | Gordy G 7081First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Gordy G-7081First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Gordy G-7081First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Tamla Motown TMS - 05367", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| ? | Germany | Tamla Motown TM 70817" | 7" |
29 vinyl pressings of Cloud Nine are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1968 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Netherlands, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Gordy G-7081, released October 25, 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G-7081, G 7081, G-7081-dj, GO 25.879) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 4 W4KM-5841-1 J N-EI-N-493M03 ARP and 4 W4KM-5842-1 J N-K-N-493M01 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.
