Vinyl pressings
by Aurra · 1981
Are You Single was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
SG-346-A-1 STERLING I Ʌ1IEtched in runout, side A, "STERLING" stamped
SG-346-B-1 STERLING I Ʌ1JEtched in runout, side B, "STERLING" stamped
SG 346 APrinted on label, side A
SG 346 BPrinted on label, side B
S7-2139-A-I ⛤STERLINGRunout side A
S7-2139-B-I STERLINGRunout side B
S7 2139 AMatrix label A
S7 2139 BMatrix label B
S7-2139-AM-DJ STERLING R-6974Runout Side A
S7-2139-AS-DJ STERLING R-6975Runout Side B
Mix-A-Etched in runout, Side A
Mix-B-Etched in runout, Side B
BlankStamped in runout, both sides
SG 346 APrinted on label, Side A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Brazil | Salsoul Records 101.8217First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Salsoul Records MS 55First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Salsoul Records AURRA 2139First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | South Africa | Salsoul Records SAS 46First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Salsoul Records 1-10.186 / Belter 1-10.186First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Salsoul Records SG 346 DJFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Salsoul Records S7 2139 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1981 | US | Salsoul Records S7 2139First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | Salsoul Records SG 346First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Salsoul Records SG 346First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Panama | Padisco P-6087", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of Are You Single are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Italy, Brazil, France and more. One of them is Salsoul Records SG 346, released April 11, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SG 346, S7 2139, SG 346 DJ, S7 2139 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SG-346-A-1 STERLING I Ʌ1I and SG-346-B-1 STERLING I Ʌ1J. 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.
