Vinyl pressings
by Earth, Wind & Fire · 1987
Touch The World 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.
18 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 14 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.
AL 48596 1B DMM G2 STERLING B17Side A runout, variant 1
BL 48596 1A DMM G 7 STERLING A2Side B runout, variant 1
AL 48596 1C DMM G7 STERLING TJ A 11Side A runout, variant 2
BL 48596 1A DMM G 7 STERLING TJ B 9Side B runout, variant 2
AL 40596 1B DMM G2STERLINGSide A runout (Variant 1)
BL 40596 1A DMM G2STERLINGSide B runout (Variant 1)
AL 40596 1B DMM G2STERLING A1Side A runout (Variant 2)
BL 40596 1A DMM G2STERLING A2Side B runout (Variant 2)
(Side A): 28AP-3411A3 〄 CS
(Side B): 28AP-3411B1
MX219893A-Side Label Matrix
MX219894B-Side Label Matrix
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 | Australia | CBS 460409 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Brazil | Discos CBS 231.042 / Discos CBS 231042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Columbia FC 40596 / Columbia 40596First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | CBS CBS 460409 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | CBS CBS 460409 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | CBS CBS 460409 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Greece | CBS CBS 460409 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Mexico | CBS CLS 460409First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Peru | Columbia S.E 8915First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Philippines | CBS QCL-22345 / Columbia FC 40596First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | CBS CBS 460409 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | CBS 460409 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | CBS 460409 1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1987 | UK & Europe | CBS 460409 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Columbia C 40596 / Columbia FC 40596First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
20 vinyl pressings of Touch The World are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia FC 40596, released October 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 40596, 460409 1, C 40596, 28AP 3411) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 48596 1B DMM G2 STERLING B17 and BL 48596 1A DMM G 7 STERLING A2. 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.
