Vinyl pressings
by Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes · 1979
Prayin' 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.
6 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 3 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.
MC9444E A-1 ▣̶-̶G̶-̶▣̶ ◈-P-◈ III -L.NIX-Runout side A
MC9445 A-1 ▣̶-̶G̶-̶▣̶ ◈-P-◈ II -L.NIX-Runout side B
MC9444EA Side Label
MC9445B Side Label
MC9444E-L NIX-
MC9445-L NIX-
MC9444ELabel, Sides A & 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 | Canada | Source Records SOR 41156First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Source Records 12 STATES 2First year7", White Label | 7", White Label |
| 1979 | US | Source Records SOR-41156First year7" | 7" |
| 1979 | US | Source Records SOR-41156First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Source Records SOR 41156First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Source Records SOR-41156First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | UK | Stateside 12STATES 212", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | Source Records 12SOURCE 212", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Source Records 12 SOURCE 212", 45 RPM, White Label, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, White Label, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | Source Records SOURCE 27", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
10 vinyl pressings of Prayin' are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1979 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Source Records SOR-41156.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SOR-41156, SOR 41156, 12 STATES 2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC9444E A-1 ▣̶-̶G̶-̶▣̶ ◈-P-◈ III -L.NIX- and MC9445 A-1 ▣̶-̶G̶-̶▣̶ ◈-P-◈ II -L.NIX-. 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.
