Vinyl pressings
by Hot Chocolate · 1979
20 Hottest Hits 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.
13 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.
EMTV 22 A-2 GG II 1Runout side A, variant 1
EMTV 22 B-2 BLAIRS 3Runout side B, variant 1
EMTV 22 A-1 BLAIRSRunout side A, variant 2
EMTV 22 B-2 BLAIRSRunout side B, variant 2
EMTV 22 A-4 211 1Stamped runout, side A, variant 1
EMTV 22 B-2 V 2Stamped runout, side B, variant 1
EMTV 22 A-5 2 0 1Stamped runout, side A, variant 2
EMTV 22 B-4 GLH 1Stamped runout, side B, variant 2
EMTV 22 A-2 GG II 1Runout side A, variant 1
EMTV 22 B-2 BLAIRS 3Runout side B, variant 1
EMTV 22 A-1 BLAIRSRunout side A, variant 2
EMTV 22 B-2 BLAIRSRunout side B, variant 2
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 | Europe | EMI 1A 064.1634651 / RAK 1A 064.1634651First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Europe | EMI 038-79 2742 1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | RAK Records Ltd. F 667 165 / EMI Records Ltd. F 667 165First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Greece | Columbia 14C 062-63465First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Israel | RAK EMTV 22First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | Rhodesia | RAK SRAKJ(L) 6028 / RAK 82C 062-63 465First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | South Africa | RAK SRAKJ(L) 6028 / RAK 82C 062 63465First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Sweden | RAK 7C 062-63465First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | UK | RAK EMTV 22 / RAK OC 062-63 465LP, Compilation, Remastered, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Remastered, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1979 | UK | RAK EMTV 22 / RAK OC 062-63 465First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Ireland | RAK EMTV 22First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | UK | RAK EMTV 22 / RAK OC 062-63 465First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | RAK EMTV 22 / RAK OC 062-63 465First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Venezuela | RAK EMIS 7614First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | New Zealand | RAK Studios SRAK 801LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | Yugoslavia | RAK EMTV 22 / Jugoton LSRAK 70928LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1982 | Australia | RAK PLAY.108 / RAK PLAY-1018LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Europe | EMI 1A 058-16 3465 1LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | RAK 1A 064 16 34651 / RAK 1A 064-16 34651LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Netherlands | RAK EMTV 22 / RAK 1A 064-1634651LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | EMI 038-79 2742 1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Not On Label F 667 165LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| ? | Ireland | RAK EMTV 22 / RAK OC 062-63 465LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Ireland | RAK EMTV 22 / RAK OC 062-63 465LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | RAK Records Ltd. EMTV 22 / EMI Records Ltd. EMTV 22LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
25 vinyl pressings of 20 Hottest Hits are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1979 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Ireland, Venezuela, Europe and more. One of them is RAK EMTV 22, released November 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMTV 22, EMIS 7614, 1A 064.1634651, 038-79 2742 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMTV 22 A-2 GG II 1 and EMTV 22 B-2 BLAIRS 3. 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.
