Vinyl pressings
by Earth, Wind & Fire · 1980
Let Me Talk was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 15 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.
ZSS 167510 1H TML-SSide A runout, etched, variant 1
ZSS 167511 1H TML-SSide B runout, etched, variant 1
ZSS 167510 1F TML-SSide A runout, etched, variant 2
ZSS 167511 1F TML-SSide B runout, etched, variant 2
T ZSS 167510 1AB TML-SSide A Runout
T ZSS 167511 1M TML-MSide B Runout
ZSS 167510label Side A
ZSS 167511label Side B
ZSS 167510 1C TML-M SSSSSSide A runout, variant 1
ZSS 167511 1c TML-M SSSide B runout, variant 1
ZSS 167510 1E TML-MSide A runout, variant 2
ZSS 167511 1H TML-SSide B runout, variant 2
p XSS-167521-1D TML-S AA-Side Runout
p XSS-167522-1C TML-M AB-Side Runout
XSS 167521Label side A
XSS 167522Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | CBS 23.190First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Australia | CBS BA 222730First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Australia | CBS BA 222730First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Brazil | CBS GP-964First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Columbia 1-11366First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 8982 / CBS 8982First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS 12.8982 / CBS CBS 12.8982First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 8982First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 510First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony XDAP 93027First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Sampler, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Sampler, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Mexico | CBS F 8317First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | New Zealand | CBS BA 222730First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Peru | CBS CSR 1140First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Peru | CBS CSR 1140First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Rhodesia | CBS SSC 5135First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
32 vinyl pressings of Let Me Talk are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Italy, Australia and more. One of them is ARC 1-11366.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1-11366, AS 853, CBS 8982, S CBS 8982) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS 167510 1H TML-S and ZSS 167511 1H 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.
