Vinyl pressings
by Journey · 1979
Evolution was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
43 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 16 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.
AL-35797-1F RTB B5 STERLING S1Runout A, variant 1
BL-35797-1C RTB C6 STERLING S1Runout B, variant 1
AL-35797-1C RTB A5 STERLING S2Runout A, variant 2
BL-35797-1C RTB A1 STERLING S2Runout B, variant 2
AL 35797-1AB B4 S1Side A runout, variant 1
P BL 35797-1AB S1 B7Side B runout, variant 1
AL 35797-1AF S1 B8Side A runout, variant 2
P BL 35797-1AB S1 C10Side B runout, variant 2
AL 35797-1L E PVariant 1 side A runout
P BL-35797-1J I A PVariant 1 side B runout
P AL 35797-1L 5 AVariant 2 side A runout
P BL 35797-1AA IVariant 2 side B runout
AL-35797-1K 1T o A 21Side A runout, variant 1
BL-35797-1B RTB STERLING o T1Side B runout, variant 1
AL-35797-1K 1T o ASide A runout, variant 2
BL-35797-1E RTB STERLING o T1Side B runout, variant 2
AL-35797-1F RTB A33 STERLING SSide A runout
BL-35797-1C RTB A8 STERLING SSide B runout
AL 35797Side A label
BL 35797Side B label
AL 35797-1AB S2 A11Side A runout
P BL-35797-1AD S 2 A5Side B runout
AL 35797-1AC S 2 C 8Side A runout, variant 1
BL-35797-1AE COLUMBIA NY S1 B3Side B runout, variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Columbia 119976First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | CBS 138131First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Colombia | CBS 14-1281 / Columbia 14-1281First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 83566 / CBS 83566First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS 83566 / CBS CBS 83566First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 83566 / CBS 83566First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Greece | CBS 83566First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Greece | CBS 32342 / CBS CBS 32342LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | Italy | CBS CBS 83566First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1355First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1355First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1355First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5656First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Rhodesia | CBS ASF 2321First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2321First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1355LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 20AP 2498LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Spain | CBS CBS 32342LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | Spain | CBS CBS 32342LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | CBS CBS 32342LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1990 | Spain | CBS LSP 982381 1 / Productos Especiales CBS LSP 982381 1LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia WPC-35797LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 32342LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | South Korea | Life Studio 54 Life 059 / Life Studio 54 JR 048LP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 32342LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 32342LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 35797LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 35797LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 35797LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia FC 35797LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia FC 35797LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia FC 35797LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia FC 35797LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia FC 35797LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 35797LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
65 vinyl pressings of Evolution are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1979 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia FC 35797, released March 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 35797, PC 35797, CBS 83566, SBP 237308) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-35797-1F RTB B5 STERLING S1 and BL-35797-1C RTB C6 STERLING S1. 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.
