Vinyl pressings
by Earth, Wind & Fire · 1978
The Best Of Earth Wind & Fire Vol. I 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.
49 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.
S-2 PAL-35647-1B A4Side 1 Runout, etched (Variant 1)
S-2 PBL-35647-1B B4Side 2 Runout, etched (Variant 1)
1S PAL-35647-1BSide 1 Runout, etched (Variant 2)
1S PBL-35647-1AHSide 2 Runout, etched (Variant 2)
PAL-35647-1AD TML-MRunout A
PBL-35647-1AD TML-MRunout B
PAL-35647-1AF TML-SSide A Runout (Variant 1)
PBL-35647-1AA TML-MSide B Runout (Variant 1)
T1 PAL-35647-1H TML-SSide A Runout (Variant 2)
T1 PBL-35647-1H TML-SSide B Runout (Variant 2)
T-2 PAL-35647-1M TML-M oSide A, runout variant 1
T-1 PBL-35647-1N TML B2Side B, runout variant 1
PAL-45637-1AK TML-S A13Side A, runout variant 2
T1- PBL-35647-1AC TML-S C XG D4Side B, ruount variant 2
AL 35647Side 1 Matrix
2 S PAL-35647-1AJ TML-M A3Side 1 Runout, First 2 Upside down, TML-M Stamped, Rest Etched
BL 35647Side 2 Matrix
2 S PBL-35647-1B TML-S B12Side 2 Runout, First 2 Upside down, TML-S stamped, Rest etched
PAL-35647-1DSide A Runout, Var. 1
PBL-35647-1AASide B Runout, Var. 1
PAL-35647-1FSide A Runout, Var. 2
PBL-35647-1ESide B Runout, Var. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Argentina | Columbia FC 35647First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Argentina | Columbia FC 35647First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Australia | CBS SBP 237241First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Australia | CBS SBP 237241First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Australia | CBS SBP 237241First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1978 | Brazil | Discos CBS 230024First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Canada | ARC FC 35647 / Columbia FC 35647First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | ARC FC 35647 / Columbia FC 35647First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1978 | Colombia | CBS 141212First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Costa Rica | CBS 100446First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Europe | CBS CBS 83284 / CBS 83284First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1978 | Europe | CBS CBS 83284 / CBS FC 35647First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Europe | CBS CBS 83284 / CBS FC 35647First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Europe | CBS CBS 83284 / CBS 13.83284First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Europe | CBS CBS 83284 / CBS 83284First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 30AP 1876LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Philippines | CBS QCL-22076 / CBS FC-35647LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | ARC HC 45647LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Amiga 8 55 788LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Amiga 8 55 788LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | CBS CBS 32536LP, Reissue, Compilation | LP, Reissue, Compilation |
| 1984 | Spain | CBS CBS 32536 / Kalimba Productions CBS 32536LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | CBS CBS 83284 / CBS CBS 460409 1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Brazil | Globo Records 423.009LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Columbia 88875141451 / ARC 88875141451LP, Record Store Day, Compilation, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Record Store Day, Compilation, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc |
| 2015 | US | Columbia 888751414518LP, Record Store Day, Compilation, Picture Disc, Reissue, Special Edition · Picture disc | LP, Record Store Day, Compilation, Picture Disc, Reissue, Special Edition · Picture disc |
| 2017 | Europe | Legacy 88985432341 / ARC 88985432341LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 2017 | France | ARC 88985432341 / Columbia 88985432341LP, Compilation, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2017 | US | ARC 88985432341 / Columbia 88985432341LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Australia | ARC 19439793671 / Columbia 19439793671LP, Compilation, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | US | ARC 88985432341 / Columbia 88985432341LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2023 | US | ARC 19658707301 / Columbia 19658707301LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Japan | ARC SIJP 134 / Sony Records Int'l SIJP 134LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | ARC FC 35647 / Columbia FC 35647LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Canada | Columbia VFC 35647LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 32536 / CBS 32536LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 32536LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 32536 / CBS 32536LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | CBS CBS 32536LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | CBS CBS 32536LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Greece | CBS CBS 32536LP, Compilation, Mispress, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Mispress, Reissue |
| ? | Portugal | CBS 83284 / CBS CBS 83284LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Portugal | CBS CBS 83284LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | CBS CBS 32536 / Kalimba Productions CBS 32536LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 32536 / CBS 32536LP, Reissue, Compilation | LP, Reissue, Compilation |
| ? | US | ARC FC 35647 / Columbia FC 35647LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | ARC FC 35647 / Columbia FC 35647LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | ARC FC 35647LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
91 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Earth Wind & Fire Vol. I are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1978 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is ARC FC 35647.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 35647, CBS 83284, 83284, SBP 237241) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S-2 PAL-35647-1B A4 and S-2 PBL-35647-1B B4. 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.
