Vinyl pressings
by Grover Washington, Jr. · 1979
Paradise was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 10 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.
I-5 6E-182-A-SP. MASTERED BY VAN GELDERRunout side A etched/stamped
I-5 6E-182-B-SP. MASTERED BY VAN GELDERRunout side B etched/stamped
6E-182-A SPLabel side A
6E-182-B SPLabel side B
6E-182 A-1 PRC-W-1Side A-Etched
6E-182 B PRC-W-1Side B-Etched
MASTER BY - VAN GELDERStamped on Sides A&B
6E · 182 · A-2 · PRC I-I-II MASTER BY- VAN GELDERRunout side A
6E · 182 · B-2 PRC · -I-I MASTER BY- VAN GELDERRunout side B
6E-182-A SPLabel Side A
6E-182-B SPLabel Side B
6E-182-A PRCLabel Side A
6E-182-B PRCLabel Side B
I-5 6E-182-A-PRC-W-1. MASTERED BY VAN GELDERRunout side A etched/stamped
I-5 6E-182-B-PRC-W-2. MASTERED BY VAN GELDERRunout side B etched/stamped
6E-182-ALabel side A
6E-182-BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Elektra 6E-182First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | Elektra 32.037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Elektra 6E-182First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Elektra 6E-182First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 130 / Elektra 6E-182First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Elektra ELK 52 130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Elektra P-10674EFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Mexico | Elektra GWEA-5347First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Elektra 6E 182First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Elektra K 52130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Elektra K52130 / Elektra 6E-182First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-182First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-182LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-182First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-182LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Spain | Elektra S 90.506LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Spain | Elektra S 90.506 / Hispavox S 90.506LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Spain | Elektra S 90.506 / Hispavox S 90.506LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Elektra 6E-182LP, Album | LP, Album |
26 vinyl pressings of Paradise are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1979 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Elektra 6E-182.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6E-182, K 52130, K52130, 32.037) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, I-5 6E-182-A-SP. MASTERED BY VAN GELDER and I-5 6E-182-B-SP. MASTERED BY VAN GELDER. 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.
