Vinyl pressings
by Deniece Williams · 1976
Free / Cause You Love Me Baby 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.
19 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 9 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.
T ZSS 162315 1J [TML-M]Runout, Side A, etched / [stamped] variant 1
ZSS 162316 1F [TML-S]Runout, Side B, etched / [stamped] variant 1
T ZSS 162315 1E [TML-M]Runout, Side A, etched / [stamped] variant 2
T ZSS-162316 1G AZRunout, Side B, etched / [stamped] variant 2
p ZSS162315 1C TML-S VRunout Side A (Variant 1)
p ZSS162316 1C TML-MRunout Side B (Variant 1)
ZSS 162315 1A TML-MRunout Side A (Variant 2)
ZSS 162316 1A TML-MRunout Side B (Variant 2)
p ZSP 162314 1C TML-MA-Side Runout Etching
p ZSP 162325 1C TML-MB-Side Runout Etching
ZSP 162314A-Side Label
ZSP 162325B-Side Label
p ZSS 162315 1D TML-MA-Side Runout Etching
p ZSS 162314 1C TML-MB-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 162315A-Side Label
ZSS 162314B-Side Label
T ZSP 162314 1F TML-MA-Side Runout Etching
T ZSP 162325 1F TML-MB-Side Runout Etching
ZSP 162314A-Side Label
ZSP 162325B-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia 3-10429First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Costa Rica | CBS 11674First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Germany | CBS CBS S 4978First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Germany | CBS CBS S 4978First year7" | 7" |
| 1976 | Greece | CBS CBS 4978First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Jamaica | Columbia 3-10429First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Mexico | CBS 7758First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Portugal | CBS CBS 4978First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | CBS S CBS 4978First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | UK | CBS S CBS 4978First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | CBS S CBS 4978First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | UK | CBS S CBS 4978First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | US | Columbia 3-10429First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | US | Columbia 3-10429 / Kalimba Productions 3-10429First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia 3-10429First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | UK | CBS S CBS 88547", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | CBS S CBS 49787", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
28 vinyl pressings of Free / Cause You Love Me Baby are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1976 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Canada, Costa Rica and more. One of them is Columbia 3-10429, released September 28, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3-10429, S CBS 4978, 11674, CBS S 4978) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T ZSS 162315 1J [TML-M] and ZSS 162316 1F [TML-S]. 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.
