Vinyl pressings
by Al Jarreau · 1986
L Is For Lover was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 15 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.
1-25477-A•SR11-1 [SRC logo] MASTERDISKA side variant 1
1-25477-B-SR11-1 [SRC logo] MASTERDISKB side variant 1
1-25477-A•SR2 1-1 [SRC logo] MASTERDISKA side variant 2
1-25477-B-SR1 1-1 [SRC logo] MASTERDISKB side variant 2
1-25477-A-SH1 [Allied 'a' logo] B-24053-SH1 MASTERDISK △13035 1-1Side A runout, variant 1
1-25477-B-SH1 [Allied 'a' logo] B-24054-SH1 MASTERDISK △13035-X 1-1Side B runout, variant 1
1-25477-A-SH2 [Allied 'a' logo] B-24053-SH2 MASTERDISK △13035-X 1-3Side A runout, variant 2
1-25477-B-SH2 [Allied 'a' logo] B-24054-SH2 MASTERDISK △13035-X 1-2̶ 3Side B runout, variant 2
W1 25477A-1A G1 C4Side 1
W1 25477-B-1B G1 A8Side 2
R/S Alsdorf 253080-1-AX D/DK[scratched out]Runout, side A
R/S Alsdorf 253080-1-A2xx DRunout, side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdof 253080-1-BXXRunout, side B
R/S Alsdorf 253080-1-AX DKRunout, side A, stamped, "X DK" etched, variant 3
R/S Alsdorf 253080-1-Axxx <S> 020 253080A-1Side A runout
R/S Alsdof 253080-1-B2xxx <S> 020 253080B-1Side B runout
P-13344-1 1 A 1 I 〄CSRunout Side 1
P-13344-2 1 A 1 IRunout Side 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | WEA 80026First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Australia | WEA 253080-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | WEA 28.156First yearLP | LP |
| 1986 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 54771First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records W1- 25477First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | WEA 253 080-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | WEA 25 3080-1 / WEA 2 53080-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Mexico | WEA LWI6528First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records 2 53080-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Portugal | WEA 1590751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | South Africa | WEA International Inc. WIC 5089First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1986 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 253080-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Turkey | WEA 53080-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records 9 25477-1 / Warner Bros. Records 1-25477First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records 9 25477-1 / Warner Bros. Records 1-25477LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
27 vinyl pressings of L Is For Lover are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Europe, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 9 25477-1, released September 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 25477-1, W1- 25477-2, 253 080-1, P-13344) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-25477-A•SR11-1 [SRC logo] MASTERDISK and 1-25477-B-SR11-1 [SRC logo] MASTERDISK. 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.
