Vinyl pressings
by Gary Criss · 1978
Rio De Janeiro 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.
9 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 7 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.
SA 8504 A 2 STERLING Ⅰ Ʌ2HRunout A, variant 1
SA 8504B 2 STERLING Ⅰ Ʌ1KRunout B, variant 1
SA 8504 A 2 STERLING Ⅰ Ʌ1JRunout A, variant 2
SA 8504B 2 STERLING Ⅰ Ʌ4ARunout B, variant 2
T1 SA 8504 A-2 JR STERLINGSide A runout
T1 SA 8504 B-1 JR STERLING ASide B runout
SA 8504 ASide A label
SA 8504 BSide B label
SA 8504 A 2 STERLING ⅠA1Sie A runout etched, except STERLING, Ⅰ, A1 stamped
SA 8504 B 2 STERLING ⅠA2 2Sie B runout etched, except STERLING, Ⅰ, A1 stamped
SA 8504 ASide A Label
SA 8504 BSide B Label
SA 8504A AMZ 4420 A JR STERLINGSide A
SA 8504-B AMZ 4420 B JR STERLINGSide B
SA-8504-A D-T.O. BG.Side A runout
SA-8504-B D-T.O.Side B runout
SA-8504-ASide A label
SA-8504-BSide B label
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 | Brazil | Amazon AMZ-4420LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Canada | Salsoul Records SA 8504First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Carrere 67.249First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | Philips 6450 455LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Greece | Philips 6450 455First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | JVC VIP-6727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Spain | Odeon 10 C 062 061278 / Carrere 10 C 062 061278First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Salsoul Records SA 8504First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Salsoul Records SA 8504First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Salsoul Records SA 8504 / Salsoul Records SA 8504 DJFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Brazil | Amazon AMZ-4420First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Rio De Janeiro are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Brazil, Canada, France and more. One of them is Salsoul Records SA 8504.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SA 8504, AMZ-4420, 67.249, 6450 455) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SA 8504 A 2 STERLING Ⅰ Ʌ2H and SA 8504B 2 STERLING Ⅰ Ʌ1K. 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.
