Vinyl pressings
by Alyson Williams · 1989
Sleep Talk was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. 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 1989, 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.
XSS - 68193 A - 1A G1Side A runout groove, etched
XSS - 68193 B - 1A G G1Side B runout groove, etched
MASTERDISK DSide A & B runout groove, stamped
XSS 68193ASide A label
ZSS-68555 A -1A 1 G1 B6 MASTERDISKRunout side A, etched, except [1 MASTERDISK] stamped
ZSS-68555 B- 1A D G1 A8Runout side B, etched, except [D] stamped
ZSS 68555ALabel side-A
ZSS 68555BLabel side-B
MASTERDISK ZSS-68555A-1A E G1Runout Etchings (Both Sides)
ZSS 68555ALabel Matrix - Both Sides
XSS-68193A- /A MASTERDISK HW D G1 B1Runout side A etched
XSS-68193A- /A MASTERDISK HW D G1 B5Runout side B etched
XSS 68193AA-side label
XSS-01483A-1A (P4) MASTERDISK Hw G1 A3A-Side Runout Etching
XSS-01483B-1A (P4) MASTERDISK Hw G1 B3B-Side Runout Etching
XSS 01483AA-Side Label
XSS 01483BB-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | CBS 654656 6First year12" | 12" |
| 1989 | Canada | Def Jam Recordings 12CXP 68193First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1989 | Canada | Def Jam Recordings 38 68555 / Columbia 38 68555First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings 654656 6 / Def Jam Recordings DEF 654656 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings 654656 7 / Def Jam Recordings DEF 654656 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Greece | Def Jam Recordings DEF 654656 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Greece | Def Jam Recordings DEF 654656 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Spain | Def Jam Recordings 654656 6 / Def Jam Recordings DEF 654656 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Spain | CBS ARIC 2139 / Def Jam Recordings ARIC 2139First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 654656 7 / CBS 654656 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 654656 6 / CBS 654656 6First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 654656 8First year12" | 12" |
| 1989 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 654656 7 / CBS 654656 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Def Jam Recordings 44 68193 / Columbia 44 68193First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | US | Def Jam Recordings 38-68555 / Columbia 38-68555First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Def Jam Classics 984516112", Reissue | 12", Reissue |
21 vinyl pressings of Sleep Talk are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Def Jam Recordings 44 68193.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44 68193, 38-68555, 44-68193, CAS 1483) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS - 68193 A - 1A G1 and XSS - 68193 B - 1A G G1. 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.
