Vinyl pressings
by Biddu Orchestra · 1976
Rain Forest was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 17 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.
EPC S 81168 A1 4Runout side A, variant 1
EPC S 81168 B1Runout side B, variant 1
EPC S 81168 A1 A 5Runout side A, variant 2
EPC S 81168 B1 B 2Runout side B, variant 2
PAL 34230 - 2A F/W NYC SJR [signature]Side 1 runout
PBL 34230 - 2A F/W NYC SJR [signature]Side 2 runout
AL 34230Side 1 label
BL 34230Side 2 label
p PAL 34230-2A FW NYC SJRA runout
p PBL 34230-2A F/W NYC SJRB runout
AL 34230A label
BL 34230B label
1S PAL 34230-2C FW NYC SJRA runout
1S PBL 34230-2C F/W NYC SJRB runout
AL 34230A label
BL 34230B label
Cl EPC 81425-1LLabel side A
Cl EPC 81425-2LLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia KES 90349First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia KES 90349 / CBS KES 90349First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Chile | CBS 15168First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Costa Rica | CBS 100.270First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Europe | Epic EPC 81168First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | Epic 25AP 192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5506First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 3768First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Peru | Epic SE 3331 / Epic S.E. 3331First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Philippines | Epic APP-1014-E / Epic PE 34230First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Portugal | Epic EPC 81168First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | South Africa | Epic KSF 7037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Spain | Epic EPC 81168First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Taiwan | Union TD-1840LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1976 | UK | Epic S EPC 81168 / Epic EPC 81168First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Malaysia | Not On Label BLP 6765LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
24 vinyl pressings of Rain Forest are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Italy, Canada and more. One of them is Epic S EPC 81168.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S EPC 81168, PE 34230, EPC 81425, KES 90349) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EPC S 81168 A1 4 and EPC S 81168 B1. 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.
