Vinyl pressings
by Eric Gale · 1983
Island Breeze was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 6 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.
STEM-60198A-2 1-1 SRCSide A runout, etched, SRC logo stamped
STEM-60198B-2 1-1 SRCSide B runout, etched, SRC logo stamped
ST-E-60198-A-SPSide A label
ST-E-60198-B -SPSide A label
ST-E-60198-A-ARA label
ST-E-60198-B-ARB label
ST-E-60198-A-SPA label
ST-E-60198-B-SPB label
R/S Alsdorf 960198-1 AA side
R/S Alsdorf 960198-1 BB side
R/S Alsdorf 960198-1 AA Side
R/S Alsdorf 960198-1 BB Side
R/S Alsdorf 960198-1 AA side
R/S Alsdorf 960198-1 BB side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Germany | Elektra Musician 96-0198-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Elektra Musician 96-0198-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Elektra Musician 96-0198-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Elektra Musician 96-0198-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Elektra Musician 96-0198-1First yearLP | LP |
| 1983 | Japan | JVC VIJ-28029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | JVC VIJ-28029First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Elektra Musician 96-0198-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Elektra Musician 60198-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Elektra Musician 60198 / Elektra Musician 60198-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Elektra Musician 60198-1First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Elektra Musician 60198-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Island Breeze are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Germany, Italy, Japan and more. One of them is Elektra Musician 60198.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 60198, 60198-1, 96-0198-1, VIJ-28029) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STEM-60198A-2 1-1 SRC and STEM-60198B-2 1-1 SRC. 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.
