Vinyl pressings
by Kate Bush · 1989
The Sensual World was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. 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 1989, 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.
EMD 1010 A - 2U - 1 - 1 TOWNHOUSERunout, A-side, variant 2
EMD 1010 B - 1U 1 - - 1 - 1 TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout, B-side, variant 2
EMD 1010 A-1U-1-2 D TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout, A-side, variant 3
EMD 1010 B-1U--1- D TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout, B-side, variant 3
EMD 1010 A-2U-1- 1 TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 1
EMD 1010 B-2U-1- 1 TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 1
EMD 1010 A - 2U - 1 - 1 TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 2
EMD 1010 B - 2U - 1 - 3 TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 2
EMD-1010 A QSide A
EMD-1010 BQSide B
EMD 1010 A - 2U - 1 - 1 TOWNHOUSERunout, A-side, stamped [TOWNHOUSE etched]
EMD 1010 B - 2U - 1 - 1 TOWNHOUSERunout, B-side, stamped [TOWNHOUSE etched]
G2 AL-44164-1A DMM B2 TOWNHOUSE DMMSide 1 Variant 1
G BL-44164-1A DMM A6 TOWNHOUSE DMMSide 2 Variant 1
G1 AL-44164-1A DMM A2 TOWNHOUSE DMMSide 1 Variant 2
G BL-44164-1A DMM A3 TOWNHOUSE DMMSide 2 Variant 2
TOWNHOUSE DMM G1 AL-44164-1A DMM ARunout, Variant 1, Side A - hand etched
TOWNHOUSE DMM G2 BL-44164-1A DMM B3Runout, Variant 1, Side B - hand etched
TOWNHOUSE DMM G1 AL-44164-1A DMM A 13Runout, Variant 2, Side A - hand etched
TOWNHOUSE DMM G1 AL-44164-1A DMM A 7Runout, Variant 2, Side B - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australasia | EMI EMC 793078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Brazil | EMI 066 793078 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Canada | Capitol Records C1-93078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | EMI 064 7 93078 1 / EMI 7 93078 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | EMI 064 7 93078 1 / EMI 064-7 93078 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | EMI 793078 1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1989 | Europe | EMI 064 7 93078 1 / EMI Electrola 064 7 93078 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | France | EMI 7 93078 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | France | EMI 7930781LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1989 | Germany | EMI 66406 0 / EMI 064-79 3078 1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1989 | Greece | EMI 062-7930781 / EMI 7 93078 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Italy | EMI 64 7930781First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Mexico | EMI LEMP 1672First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Portugal | EMI 72737 / EMI 7 93078 1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1989 | Portugal | EMI 7930781First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Czech And Slovak Federative Republic | Popron 50 060-1 / EMI EMD 1010LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Audio Fidelity AFZLP 082LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered |
| 2010 | US | Audio Fidelity AFZLP 082LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2018 | Europe | Fish People 0190295593841LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2019 | UK | Fish PeopleLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Worldwide | Fish People 5057998201044 / Fish People FP6LPXLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Worldwide | Fish People 5057998268658 / Fish People FP6LPLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | EMI 038 7 93078 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
35 vinyl pressings of The Sensual World are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1989 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Israel, Australasia and more. One of them is EMI EMD 1010, released October 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMD 1010, C 44164, OC 44164, EMD 1010 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMD 1010 A - 2U - 1 - 1 TOWNHOUSE and EMD 1010 B - 1U 1 - - 1 - 1 TOWNHOUSE DMM. 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.
