Vinyl pressings
by Cherrelle · 1988
Affair was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1988, the album's first year. 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-68199A-1A D G1Runout, side A, variant 1
XSS-68199B-1A D G1Runout, side B, variant 1
XSS-68199A-1A D G1 A5Runout, side A, variant 2
XSS-68199B-1A D G1 A6Runout, side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | US | Tabu Records 4Z9 68199First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1989 | Australia | Epic 654673 6 / Tabu Records 654673 612", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Australia | Epic 654673 7 / Tabu Records 654673 77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | Tabu Records TBU 654673 612", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | UK | Tabu Records 654673 112", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | UK | Tabu Records 654673 812", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | UK | Tabu Records 654673 77", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | US | Tabu Records ZS4-685687", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | US | Tabu Records ZS4-685687", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | Tabu Records 656202 612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | CBS Dance Division XPR1545 / Tabu Records XPR154512", Promo, Limited Edition · Promo, Limited | 12", Promo, Limited Edition · Promo, Limited |
| 1990 | Europe | Tabu Records 656202 77", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1990 | UK | Tabu Records 656202 612", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | UK | Tabu Records 656202 77", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
14 vinyl pressings of Affair are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1988 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US. One of them is Tabu Records 4Z9 68199.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4Z9 68199) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS-68199A-1A D G1 and XSS-68199B-1A D 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.
