UK
1977- Label and catalog number
- Black Swan ILPS 9504
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
ILPS 9504 A 3 JONZ EGRunout A, etched
ILPS 9504 B 1Runout B, stamped
George FaithTo Be A Lover
Vinyl pressings
To Be A Lover
by George Faith · 1977
15 pressings6 countriesReggaeRoots ReggaeReggae
To Be A Lover was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of To Be A Lover
9 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 5 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.
UK
1977- Label and catalog number
- Black Swan ILPS 9504
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
ILPS 9504 A - 1 01 [01 are written sideways]Runout A, stamped
ILPS 9504 B - 1 9 [9 is written sideways]Runout B, stamped
UK
1977- Label and catalog number
- Black Swan ILPS 9504
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
ILPS 9504 A 3 JONZ EGRunout A, etched
ILPS 9504 B 4 EGRunout B, etched
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Mango MLPS 9504
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
A-1 MLPS-9504-A STERLING
A-1 MLPS-9504-B STERLING
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Mango MLPS 9504
- Format
- LP, Album · Label Misprint
- Runout / matrix
MLPS-9504-A A 1 STERLINGSide A runout
MLPS-9504-B-P3 1 13 B STERLINGSide B runout
MLPS 9504-ALabel A
MLPS 9504-BLabel B
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Mango MLPS 9504
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
A-1 MLPS-9504-A-P1 A STERLING
A-1 MLPS-9504-B-P3 B STERLING
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 15 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s10 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | Island Records MLPS 9504First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Jamaica | Black ArtFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Nigeria | Island Records ILPS 9504First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Black Swan ILPS 9504First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Black Swan ILPS 9504First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Black Swan ILPS 9504First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9504LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | Mango MLPS 9504First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Mango MLPS 9504First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Mango MLPS 9504First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
2010s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Cree Records CLP 1222LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
2020s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2404LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2022 | UK | Studio 16 STU16LP 088LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Mango MLPS 9504LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mango MLPS 9504LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1Midnight Hour / Ya Ya7:16
- A2To Be A Lover (Have Mercy)6:04
- A3Opportunity4:27
- A4So Fine4:40
- B1I've Got The Groove5:46
- B2Diana4:40
- B3All The Love I've Got4:52
- B4Turn Back The Hands Of Time4:28
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of To Be A Lover are there?
15 vinyl pressings of To Be A Lover are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1977 and 2022.
When was To Be A Lover first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Canada, Jamaica and more. One of them is Black Swan ILPS 9504.
How do I tell if my copy of To Be A Lover is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9504, MLPS 9504) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9504 A 3 JONZ EG and ILPS 9504 B 1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is To Be A Lover on vinyl worth?
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.