Vinyl pressings
by Commodores · 1979
Midnight Magic 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.
48 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 28 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.
M8-926MI(a)-18JRunout side A, variant 1
M8-926MI(b)-18GRunout side B, variant 1
M8-926MI(a)-18ARunout side A, variant 2
M8-926MI(b)-18ARunout side B, variant 2
M8-926MI (a) - 18BVariant 1 runout, side A
M8-926MI (b) - 18AVariant 1 runout, side B
M8-926MI (a) - 18FVariant 2 runout, side A
M8-926MI (b) - 18BVariant 2 runout, side B
M8-926R1A-1BEtched runout side A, Variant 1
M8-926R1B-1AEtched runout side B, Variant 1
M8-926 M1ALabel, Side A
M8-926 M1BLabel, Side B
M8-926M1(a)-12FRunout A, variant 1
M8-926M1(b)-12FRunout B, variant 1
M8-926M1(a)-1̸8̸D̸ 12DRunout A, variant 2
M8-926M1(b)-1̸8̸E̸ 12ERunout B, variant 2
M8-926M1 (a) 13DA side runout, etched, Variant 1
M8-926M1(b) 13BB side runout, etched, Variant 1
M8-926M1(a)-1̶8̶A̶ 13A ACPA side runout, etched, Variant 2
M8-926M1(b)-1̶8̶D̶ 13D ACPB side runout, etched, Variant 2
M8-926M1(a)-1̶8̶C̶ 13C ACPRunout A, variant 1
M8-926M1(a)-1̶8̶E̶ 13E ACPRunout B, variant 1
M8-926M1(a)-1̶8̶B̶ 13B ACPRunout A, variant 2
M8-926M1(b)-1̶8̶B̶ 13B ACPRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Motown M 8926First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Belgium | Motown 4C 062-63064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | Motown M8-926 / Motown M 8-926First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | Motown M 8-926 / Motown M8 - 926First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Brazil | Motown 504.7077First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Motown M8 926LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1979 | Canada | Motown M8-926K / Motown M8-926M1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Chile | Motown M8-926M1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Colombia | Motown MW4156First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Ecuador | Motown LP-29036First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Motown 2C 070 63064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Motown 1C 064-63 064First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Greece | Motown 14C 062-63064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Ireland | Motown STMA 8032 / Motown OC 064-63 064First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | EMI 3C 064 63064First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Spain | Motown 2-47.078LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Motown VIP-35LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Motown M8-926K / Motown M7-926 KLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Motown M8-926KLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Motown M8-926K / Motown M7-926 KLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Motown 523003LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Motown 257·15·008LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Scandinavia | Motown 7C 062-63064LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK & Europe | Motown WL 72249LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Motown 5348MLLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Motown 2832ML / Motown MOT 5348LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
62 vinyl pressings of Midnight Magic are listed here, from 30 countries, released between 1979 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Argentina, Canada and more. One of them is Motown M8-926M1, released July 24, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M8-926M1, 200722-I, STMA 8032, sup 80031) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M8-926MI(a)-18J and M8-926MI(b)-18G. 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.
