Vinyl pressings
by Diana Ross · 1987
Red Hot Rhythm + Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 22 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.
6388-I R A SHI △16257 2-4 DMM STERLING TJRunout side A, variant 1, etched
16388-I-R B SHI △16257-X 2-5 DMM STERLING TJRunout side B, variant 1, etched
6388-1 R A SHI △16257 1-7 DMM STERLING TJRunout side A, variant 2, etched
6388-1-R B SHI △16257-X 1-7 DMM STERLING TJRunout side B, variant 2, etched
EMC 3532 A-2-1-Runout side A, variant 1
EMC 3532 B-1-1-Runout side B, variant 1
EMC 3532 A-2-1-1-X1 DRunout side A, variant 2
EMC 3532 B-2-1-1-2 DDRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | EMI 10022First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | EMI 064 24 0791 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | RCA 6388-1-RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Ecuador | EMI 303-0142First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 2407911 / EMI 064 24 0791 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 24 0791 1 / EMI 064 24 0791 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 32 574-6 / EMI 1C 064-24 0791 1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | France | EMI EMC 240791LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Greece | EMI 062-2407911First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | EMI 062-2407911First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | EMI 64 2407911First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Jamaica | EMI EMC 3532First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | EMI EMS-91226First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | EMI EMS-91226First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | New Zealand | EMI EMC 3532First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
27 vinyl pressings of Red Hot Rhythm + Blues are listed here, from 23 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Mexico, Colombia and more. One of them is RCA 6388-1-R, released May 8, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6388-1-R, EMC 3532, SLEM-1461, 111112) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6388-I R A SHI △16257 2-4 DMM STERLING TJ and 16388-I-R B SHI △16257-X 2-5 DMM STERLING TJ. 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.
