Vinyl pressings
by Barry White · 1979
The Message Is Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 21 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.
PAL 35763-1ASide 1 runout, variant 1
PBL 35763-1BSide 2 runout, variant 2
PAL 35763-1GSide 1 runout, variant 2
PBL 35763-1DSide 2 runout, variant 2
ULG E̶P̶C̶ -S.83475.A-1 8 ASide 1 stamped / etched, variant 1
ULG E̶P̶C̶-S.83475.B-1 3 ASide 2 stamped / etched, variant 1
ULG E̶P̶C̶ -S.83475.A-1 6 BSide 1 stamped / etched, variant 2
ULG E̶P̶C̶-S.83475.B-1 1 CSide 2 stamped / etched, variant 2
MX187838Side 1 label
MX187839Side 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Epic 47.145First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Australia | Unlimited Gold UG 33002 (JZ 35763)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Bolivia | CBS 20192 / Discos CBS 20193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | Epic 144.344 / Epic 144344First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Unlimited Gold JZ 35763First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Chile | CBS 15293 / Discos CBS 15293First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Colombia | Epic 19169First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | Unlimited Gold ULG 83475First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Greece | Epic EPC 83475 / Epic ULG 83475First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Israel | Unlimited Gold UGL 83475First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Unlimited Gold ULG 83475First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Unlimited Gold 25AP 1575First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Mexico | Epic LNS-17260 / Unlimited Gold LNS-17260First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Unlimited Gold UG 33002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Peru | Epic S.E. 3348First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Turkey | CBS 83475LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Epic EPC S 83475LP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| ? | Brazil | Harmony 148066 / Harmony 148.066LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of The Message Is Love are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Unlimited Gold JZ 35763.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JZ 35763, ULG 83475, 47.145, UG 33002 (JZ 35763)) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 35763-1A and PBL 35763-1B. 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.
