Vinyl pressings
by Diana Ross · 1978
Ross was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 24 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.
M7-907R1A-18B JaSide A runout, variant 1
M7-907R1B-18B JaSide B runout, variant 1
M7- 907R1A - 18C JaSide A runout, variant 2
M7- 907R1B - 18A JaSide B runout, variant 2
M7-907R1A- 1̶8̶C̶ 12C JaSide A runout, variant 1
M7-907R1B- 1̶8̶A̶ 12A JaSide B runout, variant 1
M7-907R1A- 1̶8̶A̶ 12C JaSide A runout, variant 2
M7-907R1B- 1̶8̶A̶ 12A JaSide B runout, variant 2
M7-907R1ASide A - etched
M7-907R1B PSide B - etched
STML 12093 A-1 MASTERED AT 'ABBEY ROAD' - NICKSide A Stamped/Etched
STML 12093 B-2 MASTERED AT 'ABBEY ROAD' - NICKSide B Stamped/Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Argentina | Motown SUP-80015First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Australia | Motown M7-907R1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | Motown M7-907First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Motown DJ CopyFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Canada | Motown M7-907R1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Motown M7-907R1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Colombia | Motown MW 4142First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Ecuador | Motown LP-29034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Motown 2C 068 61416First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Motown 1C 064-61 416 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-61 416First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | India | Tamla Motown STML 12093First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Ireland | Motown STML 12093First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | Motown 3C 064-61416First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Motown VIP-6592First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Motown VIP-6592First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Motown M7-907R1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Motown 257·15·031LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
33 vinyl pressings of Ross are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1978 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Motown M7-907R1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M7-907R1, STML 12093, SUP-80015, M7-907) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M7-907R1A-18B Ja and M7-907R1B-18B Ja. 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.
