Vinyl pressings
by Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes · 1976
Reaching For The World was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, 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.
2 S XS AB 969-A-1A SM1 F/W ΔM A 4Runout side A
S 2 AB-969-B-1B SM2 F/W ΔM B EXPRunout side B
AB-969-ALabel side A
AB-969-BLabel side B
AB-969-A F/W ΔM GOLSide A runout
AB-969-B F/W ΔM GOLSide B runout
AB-969-A (2) M 1 F/W ΔMSide A, Runout, Etched
AB-969-B (2) M 2 F/W ΔMSide B, Runout, Etched
AB 969-ASide A, Label
AB 969-BSide B, Label
AB-969-A-2-1-1 PRC-2 F/W ΔM PRCSide A runout etched, variant 1
AB-969-B-2-1-1 PRC-2 F/W ΔM PRCSide B runout etched, variant 1
AB-969-A-1-1-1 PRC F/W ΔM PRCSide A runout etched, variant 2
AB-969-B-1-1-1 PRC F/W ΔM PRCSide B runout etched, variant 2
AB-969-A - (1) AFM [MR encircled] △ 21795 F/W ΔMSide A Runout
AB-969-B - (1) AFM 1 [MR encircled] L △ 21795-X F/W ΔM (1)Side B Runout
AB-969-ASide A Label
AB-969-BSide B Label
T AB 969-A 2Runout A, variant 1
T AB 969-B 2Runout B, variant 1
AB-969-ALabel A
AB-969-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | ABC Records AB-969First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | ABC Records 9022-969First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | ABC Records 28 547 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5204 / ABC Records AB 969First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records AB-969First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records AB-969First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records AB 969 / ABC Records AB-969First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records AB-969First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records AB-969First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records AB-969First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records AB-969First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records AB-969First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records AB-969LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | Brazil | ABC Records 6.26-404-059LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | ABC Records ABC 458LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of Reaching For The World are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is ABC Records AB-969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AB-969, AB 969, ABCL 5204, 9022-969) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2 S XS AB 969-A-1A SM1 F/W ΔM A 4 and S 2 AB-969-B-1B SM2 F/W ΔM B EXP. 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.
