Vinyl pressings
by Joe Sample · 1981
Voices In The Rain was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 13 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.
MCA-2480-ML2 TML-S 2 ⧈-G-⧈Etched in runout A, variant 1
MCA-2481-ML2 TML-S 1 ⧈-G-⧈Etched in runout B, variant 1
MCA-2480-ML2 TML-S ⧈-G-⧈Etched in runout A, variant 2
MCA-2481-ML6 TML-X ⧈-G-⧈Etched in runout B, variant 2
MCA-2480-ML4 TML S ◈-P-◈ I I ISide A runout
MCA-2481-ML4 TML S ◈-P-◈ /Side B runout
MCA-5172-A FH 2012Side 1 runout; hand-etched
MCA-5172-B FH 2012Side 2 runout; hand-etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Unknown | MCA Records 203 460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-5172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | MCA Records 203 460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | MCA Records 203 460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records MCA-5172 / MCA Records MCA-27077First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6244First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | MCA Records 203 460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | MCA Records MCA-5172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Philippines | MCA Records MCA-5172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Singapore | MCA Records MCA-5172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | MCA Records ML 4483First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | MCA Records I-203 609First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | MCA Records MCG 4016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCL 1765LP, Album | LP, Album |
23 vinyl pressings of Voices In The Rain are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1981 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5172.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5172, MCA 5172, 203 460, MCG 4016) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-2480-ML2 TML-S 2 ⧈-G-⧈ and MCA-2481-ML2 TML-S 1 ⧈-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.
