Vinyl pressings
by Idris Muhammad · 1977
Could Heaven Ever Be Like This was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 7 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.
COL 665-RE 2A-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
COL 666-1BB-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
COL 666-1AA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
COL 666-1BB-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
CO L 665-R E 5A side runout stamped (Variant 1)
CO L 666-1EB side runout stamped (Variant 1)
CO L 665-R E 5 ssA-Side Runout (Variant 2)
COL 666-1F ssB-Side Runout (Variant 2)
COL 665- R E 2Runout side A, stamped
CO L 666-1ARunout side B, stamped
COL 665Label side A
COL 666Label side B
COL 665- R E 4Runout side A, stamped
CO L 666-1CRunout side B, stamped
p 3318-1C 1 3 CA-Side Runout
p 3319-1D 1 1 BB-Side Runout
3318 ASide A label
3318 BSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | Kudu 12K-1819First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | France | Kudu KUC 116First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Ireland | Polydor KUDU 935 / Kudu KUDU 935First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Italy | Kudu KU 9900First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Italy | Kudu KU 906First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1977 | Spain | Kudu 45-9001First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Spain | Hispavox 45-1607First year7" | 7" |
| 1977 | UK | Kudu KUDU 935First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | Kudu KUDU 935First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1977 | US | Kudu 3318/3319First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Kudu KU-939First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1977 | US | Kudu KU 939First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Kudu 3318/331912", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | Kudu KU-939First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Kudu KU-939First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Unknown | Kudu 3318/331912", Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | 12", Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Unknown | Kudu 3318/331912", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
| 2017 | UK | Kudu 3318P12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Reissue |
| 2018 | UK | Kudu 65PR001P12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 2019 | UK | Kudu 65PR001P12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Repress, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Repress, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of Could Heaven Ever Be Like This are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1977 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Kudu KU-939.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KU-939, 3318/3319, KU 939, KUDU 935) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, COL 665-RE 2 and COL 666-1B. 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.
