Vinyl pressings
by Al Green · 1985
He Is The Light was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 8 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.
395 102 - 1 S 1 320 1 BSide A runout, variant 1, stamped
395 102 - 1 S 2 320 1 LSide B runout, variant 1, stamped
395 102 - 1 S 1 320 1 BSide A runout, variant 2, stamped
395 102 - 1 S 2 320 A 1Side B runout, variant 2, stamped
395 102 - 1 S 1=2 320Side A
395 102 - 1 S 2=3 320Side B
SP-05102-ALabel A
SP-05102-BLabel B
SP-5102AES-1 ·L.NIX· EMWRunout A
SP-5102-B-ES-1 -L.NIX- EMWRunout B
SP-5102-ALabel A
SP-5102-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | A&M Records L38479First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Barbados | A&M Records SP-5102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | A&M Records 395 102-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | A&M Records 395 102-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | A&M Records 395102-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28139First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | A&M Records AMA 5102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | A&M Records SP-5102First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | A&M Records SP-5102 / A&M Records SP 5102First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28139First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | South Africa | AML Records AMLS 65102LP, Etched, Numbered · Numbered | LP, Etched, Numbered · Numbered |
| 1986 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2223333 / A&M Records SP-5102LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2223333 / A&M Records SP-5102LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of He Is The Light are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Germany, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records 395 102-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 395 102-1, 395102-1, AMA 5102, SP-5102) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 395 102 - 1 S 1 320 1 B and 395 102 - 1 S 2 320 1 L. 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.
