Vinyl pressings
by Earth, Wind & Fire · 1976
Spirit 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.
31 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
PAL 34241 1D TML-S KSide A runout etched - Variant 1
PBL 34241 1E TML-S c BSide B runout etched - Variant 1
PAL 34241 1E TML MSide A runout etched & stamped - Variant 2
PBL 34241 1D TML-5Side B runout etched & stamped - Variant 2
o T2 PAL-34241 1F TML-S C 4Runout side A, variant 1
o T2 PBL 34241 1F TML-M C 5Runout side B, variant 1
o T2 PAL 34241 1H TML-S CRunout side A, variant 2
o T1 PBL 34241 1G TML-S G4Runout side B, variant 2
T2 PAL-34241 1F TML-SSide A runout etched, TML-S stamped, variant 1
P PBL 34241 1C TML-MSide B runout etched, TML-M stamped, variant 1
T1 PAL 34241 1H TML-SSide A runout etched, TML-S stamped, variant 2
T3 PBL 34241 1F TML-MSide B runout etched, TML-M stamped, variant 2
PAL 34241 1D TML-S I D PRunout side A, variant 1
PBL 34241 1C TML-M o q PRunout side B, variant 1
PAL 34241 1E TML M C3 PRunout side A, variant 2
PBL34241 1E TML-S o A PRunout side B, variant 2
PAL 34241 1D TML-S P OSide A Stamped TML-S P O the rest is etched
PBL 34241 1C TML-M P OSide B Stamped TML-M P O the rest is etched
AL 34241Label side A
BL 34241Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Argentina | CBS 119.724 / Discos CBS 119.724First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | CBS SBP 234864First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Australia | CBS SBP 234864First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia PC 34241First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia PC 34241First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Colombia | CBS 14-1006First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Europe | CBS CBS 81451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Europe | CBS CBS 81451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Europe | CBS CBS 81451 / CBS PC 34241First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Greece | CBS CBS 81451 / CBS 81451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 250First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 250First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5523First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 234864First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Philippines | CBS/Sony APP-1035First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Venezuela | CBS LJ-120.015LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Germany | Columbia PC 34241 / Speakers Corner Records Columbia PC 34241LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2017 | Europe | Speakers Corner Records PC 34241 / Columbia PC 34241LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2682LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 2022 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2682LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Kalimba Productions PC 34241LP | LP |
| ? | Brazil | Harmony 148084LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS 465570 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS CHM 3133LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS S 81451LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 34241LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 34241LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 34241LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
48 vinyl pressings of Spirit are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1976 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia PC 34241, released September 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PC 34241, PCQ 34241, CBS 81451, S 81451) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 34241 1D TML-S K and PBL 34241 1E TML-S c B. 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.
