Vinyl pressings
by KC & The Sunshine Band · 1981
The Painter 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.
12 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 11 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-37490-1BRunout A, Etched
BL-37490-1L WE FELT LIKE DOIN ITRunout B, Etched
AL-37490-1E 1S We felt like doin' it A3Runout A, Etched [Variant 1]
BL-37490-1F WE FELT LIKE DOIN' IT A1 1SRunout B, Etched [Variant 1]
P 0 AL-37490-1B MASTERFONICS WE FELT LIKE DOIN' IT ΛA side runout
P 0 BL-37490-1LH MASTERFONICS WE FELT LIKE DOIN IT ΛB side runout
AL 37490A side label
BL 37490B side label
AL-37490-1A-2HZ: DM-1Side A runout
BL-37490-1A-2HZ: DM-1Side B runout
AL 37490Side A label
BL 37490Side B label
MX200670 ELPS4270-1A Side, stamped
MX200671 ELPS4271-2B Side stamped
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 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4271First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Brazil | Epic 144725First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Colombia | Epic 19326First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Epic EPC 85219 / Epic FE 37490First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | Epic EPC 85219First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Mexico | Columbia KLS-60,081First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | Epic KSF 2684First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Epic EPC 85219First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK & Europe | Epic EPC 85219First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Epic FE 37490First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Epic FE 37490First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Epic FE 37490First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of The Painter are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Canada, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Epic FE 37490.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FE 37490, ELPS 4271, 144725, 19326) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-37490-1B and BL-37490-1L WE FELT LIKE DOIN IT. 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.
