Vinyl pressings
by Jeff Lorber · 1985
Step By Step 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.
9 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
AL8 8269-SA-RCA1 ISide A runout variant 1
AL8 8269-SB-RCA2 GSide B runout variant 1
STERLING I AISide A/B runout - stamped
AL8 8269-SA-RCA 1 I STERLING Ⓗ A1BSide A runout variant 2
JABH 9 A//1▽420 U 1 1Runout, side A, stamped
JABH 9 B//2▽420 U 1 1Runout, side B, stamped
ψTOPIA DRBRunout, side A etched
ψTOPIARunout, side B etched
824 684-1.1Side 1 Label
824 684-1.2Side 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | Arista AL8-8269First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Arista AL8-8269 / Arista AL-8-8269LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Europe | Mercury 824 684-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-166First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Kenya | Mercury 824684-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Philippines | Mercury LP-824 684-1 / Mercury 824 684-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | Club JABH 9First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | Club JABH 9LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1985 | US | Arista AL 8-8269 / Arista AL8-8269First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Arista AL 8-8269First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Arista AL8-8269LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Venezuela | Mercury 90.072First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Step By Step are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Arista AL 8-8269.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 8-8269, JABH 9, AL8-8269, 824 684-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL8 8269-SA-RCA1 I and AL8 8269-SB-RCA2 G. 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.
