Vinyl pressings
by Jason Donovan · 1990
Rhythm Of The Rain was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 8 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.
PWL 60 A-3 [SNA logo] UTOPIARunout side A, variant 1
PWL 60 B-2 [SNA logo]Runout side B, variant 1
PWL 60 A-3 [SNA logo] UTOPIARunout side A, variant 2
PWL 60 B- [SNA logo]Runout side B, variant 2
PWL 60 A4 *Runout A, hand-etched
PWL 60 B- 1Runout B, hand-etched
PWL 60-ALabel A
PWL 60-BLabel B
PWLT - 60-A1 ✱ MAX UTOPIAEtched Side A
PWLT - 60-B1 ✱ MAXEtched Side B
MX-75645Side A label
MX-75646Side B label
R/S Alsdorf 903 172464-0-A2Runout side A
R/S Alsdorf 903 172464-0-BRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australia | Mushroom X14896First year12" | 12" |
| 1990 | Australia | Mushroom K10245First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1990 | Europe | PWL Records 9031-72464-0 / PWL Records PWLT60First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1990 | Europe | PWL Empire 9031-72463-7 / PWL Empire 9031-72463-7 ACFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | France | PWL Records 656321 7 / CBS 656321 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1990 | France | PWL Records 656321 6 / CBS 656321 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | Greece | PWL Records 4440First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | Netherlands | PWL Records PWS 022First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Philippines | PWL Records PWCD 60First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Spain | Epic ARIE 2597First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1990 | Spain | Epic 656321 6 / Epic EPC 656321 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | Spain | Epic ARIE 2535 / PWL Records PWL60First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | PWL Records PWL60 / PWL Records PWL 60First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | PWL Records PWL 60 / PWL Records PWL60First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | UK | PWL Records PWLT 60 / PWL Records PWLT60First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | PWL PWL - 0117", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
16 vinyl pressings of Rhythm Of The Rain are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, Australia, Europe, France and more. One of them is PWL Records PWL60, released August 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PWL60, PWL 60, PWLT 60, X14896) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PWL 60 A-3 [SNA logo] UTOPIA and PWL 60 B-2 [SNA logo]. 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.
