Vinyl pressings
by Arpeggio · 1978
Let The Music Play was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 4 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.
PD-1-6180-B̶S̶ AS MW (MR) AZ CB △ 23918-X̶ (1)Side A runout
PD-1-6180-A̶S̶ B M̶W B AZ CB (MR) △ 23918-X(1)Side B runout
PD-1-6180-ASide A label
PD-1-6180-BSide B label
TI PD-1-6180 A CT AZ CB [A>]Variant 1, side A, etched / [stamped]
TI PD-1-6180-BS CT-2 AZ [A]Variant 1, side B, etched / [stamped]
PD-1-6180 ░ AS CP AZCB [A3]Variant 2, side A, etched / [stamped]
PD-1-6180 ░ BS CP-1 AZCB [A3]Variant 2, side B, etched / [stamped]
PD-1-6180 - [scratch] AS NAMI #2 AZ CB ☖Runout A side
PD-1-6180 - BS #2 NAMI AZ CB ☖Runout B side
PD-1-6180 ꌻ S-A PRC-1 ᴀᵶ - I - I
PD-1-6180 𐩿 S-1 PRC•II-I ᴀᵶ c8
PD-1-6180 ASide A label
PD-1-6180 BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6180First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | Polydor 2310 656First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1235First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6180 / Polydor 2391 382First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6180 / Polydor 2391 382First yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed, Stereo | LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6180 / Polydor 2391 382First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6180 / Harem Records PD-1-6180First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6180First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Spain | Polydor 23 10 656 / Harem Records 23 10 656LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Turkey | Disc'Az AZ 2102LP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Let The Music Play are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Canada, Greece, Japan. One of them is Polydor PD-1-6180.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD-1-6180, 2310 656, MPF 1235) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PD-1-6180-B̶S̶ AS MW (MR) AZ CB △ 23918-X̶ (1) and PD-1-6180-A̶S̶ B M̶W B AZ CB (MR) △ 23918-X(1). 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.
