Vinyl pressings
by Jermaine Jackson · 1985
(Closest Thing To) Perfect 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.
22 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
AD1-9357-SA F-2 A1 Ⅰ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WALLYSide A runout, variant 1
AD1-9357-SB -2 A1 Ⅰ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WALLYSide B runout, variant 1
AD1-9357-SA ̶A̶ -1 I A2 E MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide A runout, variant 2
AD1-9357-SB ̶A̶ -1 I ̶A̶ A2 B MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallySide B runout, variant 2
AS1-9356-SA F-1 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout A
AS1-9356-SB F-2 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout B
AS1-9356-SALabel A
AS1-9356-SBLabel B
AS1-9356-SAA Side Label
AS1-9356-SBB Side Label
AS1-9356-SA RE-1-6 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL I A1Runout A
AS1-9356-SB-5 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL I A1Runout B
AS1-9356-SALabel A
AS1-9356-SBLabel 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 | Australia | Arista X 14194 / Arista AD1-9357First year12", Single · Colored vinyl | 12", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1985 | Australia | Arista K-9668First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Arista AD1-9357First year12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Arista AS1-9356First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Europe | Arista 601 808First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Europe | Arista 107 462First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Mexico | Arista S 1025First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Mexico | Arista S 1025First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Arista K 9668First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | Arista AAJ 1200First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Arista ARIST 12 619First year12" | 12" |
| 1985 | UK | Arista ARIST 619First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | Arista AD1-9357 / Arista AD-1-9357First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Arista AD1-9357First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Single · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Single · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Arista AS 1-9356First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
22 vinyl pressings of (Closest Thing To) Perfect are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Arista AD1-9357.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AD1-9357, AS 1-9356, AS1-9356, ARIST 12 619) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AD1-9357-SA F-2 A1 Ⅰ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WALLY and AD1-9357-SB -2 A1 Ⅰ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WALLY. 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.
