Vinyl pressings
by James Brown · 1988
I'm Real was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
MASTERDISK AC-AF 4Z9 07805-3 G1 A2 MASTERDISK HWSide A runout groove, variant 1
AA-AF 4Z9 07805-4 G1 B1 MASTERDISK HWSide B runout groove, variant 1
AD-429-07805-3 D G1 A8 MASTERDISK HWSide A runout groove, variant 2
AB-429-07805-4 G1 A6 MASTERDISK HWSide B runout groove, variant 2
>|B - ZS4 - 07783-3 G1 MASTERDISKRunout etched side A
AA - ██ ZS4 - 07783-4 G1Runout etched side B
ZS4 07783-3Label A
ZS4 07783-4Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Scotti Bros. Records 870 332-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | France | Scotti Bros. Records 870 332-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Italy | Scotti Bros. Records SCT 15373First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Netherlands | Scotti Bros. Records 870 332-1 / Scotti Bros. Records JSBX 1First year12", EP, 45 RPM | 12", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Netherlands | Scotti Bros. Records 870 332-7 / Scotti Bros. Records JSB 1First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | Scotti Bros. Records 870 332-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | Scotti Bros. Records 870 332-1First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | UK | Scotti Bros. Records JSBX 1 DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | Scotti Bros. Records JSBX 1 / Scotti Bros. Records 870 332-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1988 | UK | Scotti Bros. Records JSB 1 / Scotti Bros. Records 870 332-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | Scotti Bros. Records JSB 1First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | US | Scotti Bros. Records 4Z9 07805First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Scotti Bros. Records ZS8 69120 / Collectables ZS8 691207", 45 RPM, Reissue, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Styrene |
| 1988 | US | Scotti Bros. Records ZS4-07783First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Scotti Bros. Records ZS4-07783First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
23 vinyl pressings of I'm Real are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is Scotti Bros. Records 4Z9 07805.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4Z9 07805, ZS4-07783, ZS8 69120, JSBX 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MASTERDISK AC-AF 4Z9 07805-3 G1 A2 MASTERDISK HW and AA-AF 4Z9 07805-4 G1 B1 MASTERDISK HW. 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.
