Vinyl pressings
by Hugh Masekela · 1985
Waiting For The Rain was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 9 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.
HIP-25.A1 TownHouseSide A runout, variant 1
HIP-25.B1 TownHouseSide B runout, variant 1
HIP·25.A1 TownHouse 6 NSide A runout, variant 2
HIP.25.B.1 TownHouse 6 VSide B runout, variant 2
JL 8 8382 SA EmwRunout A, etched
JL 8 8382 SB EmwRunout B, etched
STERLINGRunouts A&B, stamped
JL 8 8382 SA -1 ɪ A1 G STERLINGSide A / etched [except ɪ, A1 & STERLING]
JL 8 8382 SB -1 ɪ STERLING A1 CSide B / etched [except ɪ, STERLING & A1]
6.26155-01-1Label Side A
6.26155-01-2Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | Jive Afrika JV 6620First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Jive Afrika 66310First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Jive Afrika 6.26155 BLFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Jive Afrika 6.26155 BLLP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Germany | Jive Afrika 6.26155 APFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | Jive Afrika 40008First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | Jive Afrika 40008LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 3096First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Jive Afrika 656.069First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Africa | Vuka Afrika VUC 1003First yearLP | LP |
| 1985 | UK | Jive Afrika HIP 25First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Jive Afrika JL8-8382First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Jive Afrika JL8-8382First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Yugoslavia | ZKP RTVL LL 1361 / Jive Afrika LL 1361LP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of Waiting For The Rain are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Canada, France and more. One of them is Jive Afrika HIP 25.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HIP 25, JL8-8382, JV 6620, 66310) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HIP-25.A1 TownHouse and HIP-25.B1 TownHouse. 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.
