US
November 3, 1986- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 422 830-398-1 M-1
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
422-830398-1-AS HERbIE Jr :^) B- 3 ▻Runout A etched
422-830398-1-BS HERbIE Jr :^) A- ▻Runout B etched
Vinyl pressings
Forever
by Kool & The Gang · 1986
35 pressings22 countriesSoulDiscoFunk / Soul
Forever was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Forever
27 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 20 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.
US
November 3, 1986- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 422 830 398-1 M-1
- Format
- LP, Album · Indianapolis Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A3A 422-830398-1-A -1 HERbIE JL [smiley face] ISide A runout, etched, except "A3" and "I" which are stamped
A2B 422-830398-1-B -1 HERbIE JL [smiley face] ISide B runout, etched, except "A2" and "I" which are stamped
US
1986- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 422 830 398-1 M-1
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · 53 - Hauppauge Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A-2 ᐉ 422-830398-1•AS HERbIE Jr :^)Runout A
A- ᐉ 422-830398-1•BS HERbIE Jr :^)Runout B
US
1986- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 422 830 398-1 DJ
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo
UK
1986- Label and catalog number
- Club JABH 23
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
JABH 23 A//1∇420 T 1 8 2 JASide A Runout
JABH. 23 B//1∇420 T 11 5 JASide B Runout
Australasia
1986- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 830 398-1
- Format
- LP, Album
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 35 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s34 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australasia | Mercury 830 398-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 12387First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Mercury 830 398-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Mercury 830 398-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | Mercury 830 398-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 830 398-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 830 398-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 830 398-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 830 398-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | Metronome 830 398-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | Metronome 32 487-1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Greece | Mercury 830 398-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Israel | Mercury 830 398-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | Mercury 830 398-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Mercury 28PP-1027First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
Year unknown1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | BMG R 143426 / Mercury 830 398-1 M-1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
Tracklist
- A1Victory4:37
- A2I.B.M.C.4:19
- A3Stone Love4:31
- A4Forever5:03
- B1Holiday4:12
- B2Peace Maker4:35
- B3Broadway3:40
- B4Special Way5:26
- B5God's Country5:04
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Forever are there?
35 vinyl pressings of Forever are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1986 and 1989.
When was Forever first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australasia, Bulgaria and more. One of them is Mercury 422 830-398-1 M-1, released November 3, 1986.
How do I tell if my copy of Forever is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 422 830-398-1 M-1, 422 830 398-1 M-1, 422 830 398-1 DJ, JABH 23) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 422-830398-1-AS HERbIE Jr :^) B- 3 ▻ and 422-830398-1-BS HERbIE Jr :^) A- ▻. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Forever on vinyl worth?
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.
