Vinyl pressings
by Herb Alpert · 1979
Rotation 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.
14 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
A+M SP012032A-K4Runout side A, hand etched
A+M SP012032B-K6Runout side B, hand etched
SP-012032-ACenter label side A
SP-012032-BCenter label side B
A&M 02202A-SM3 [six squiggly shapes]Side A Runout, variant 1
A&M ̶0̶2202-B-SM3 SSide B Runout, variant 1
A&M 02202A-P1Side A Runout, variant 2
A&M 02202B-P3Side B Runout, variant 2
T AM02202A-TH2 TIIIIIISide A Runout, variant 1
T1 A&M 02202B-TH1Side B Runout, variant 1
AM-02202-ASide A Label Matrix
AM-02202-BSide B Label Matrix
AMSP-7500-A3Side A
AMSP-7500-B3Side B
AMS- 7500-A2 B.J. PYEEtched runout, side A
AMS-7500-B2 toneEtched runout, side B
6 DStamped runout, side A
11 ΛStamped runout, 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 | Barbados | A&M Records AM-2202First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2202First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2202First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 7653First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 7653First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | UK | A&M Records AMSP 7500First year12", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7500First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7500First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7500First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1979 | UK | A&M Records AMSP 7500First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records SP-12032First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records AM-2202First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records AM-2202First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records SP-1203212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records SP-120327", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 76537", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | A&M Records AMSP 760112", 33 ⅓ RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM · Colored vinyl |
18 vinyl pressings of Rotation are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1979 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Barbados, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-12032.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-12032, AM-2202, AMSP 7500, AMS 7500) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A+M SP012032A-K4 and A+M SP012032B-K6. 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.
