Vinyl pressings
by Kool & The Gang · 1984
Fresh was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
38 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 9 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.
DEX 18 A // 2 ∇ 420 P 1 2 3Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 1
toneRunout, A-side, etched, variant 1
DEX 18 B // 1 ∇ 420 P 1Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 1
DEX 18 A // 2 ∇ 420 P 1 2 4Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 2
DE 18 A // 1 ▽ 420 PRunout, A-side, stamped
DE 18 B // 2 ▽ 420 P 1 1 6Runout, B-side, stamped
DE 18 A//1▽420 PStamped Runout, Side A
DE 18 A// 2▽420 P 1 1 8Stamped Runout, Side B
DE 18 A // 1 ▽ 420 PSide A runout
DE 18 B // 1 ▽ 420 PSide B runout
DE 18 A//2▽420P 11 2 PStamped runout, side A
DE 18 B//1▽420 P 1 1 6Stamped runout, side B
tone ÜEtched runout, side A
DE 18 A//2▽420P 1 1 P tone ÜRunout side A
DE 18 B// 2▽420P 1 1 6Runout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | De-Lite Records DESX 833First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Canada | De-Lite Records DES 833First year7" | 7" |
| 1984 | Canada | De-Lite Records DES 833First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Finland | Polarvox Oy RPS 197First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1984 | Finland | De-Lite Records RPS 197First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | De-Lite Records 311122 / Vogue 311122First year12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | France | De-Lite Records 102024 / Vogue 102024First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | De-Lite Records 102024 / Vogue 102024First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | France | Vogue 1020247", 45 RPM, Single, Remastered, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | De-Lite Records 311122 / Vogue 311122First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Germany | De-Lite Records 881 564-7 / De-Lite Records 881 564-7 MEFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | De-Lite Records 881 564-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | De-Lite Records 881 564-1 / De-Lite Records 881 564-1 MEFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | Mercury DE 18First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Japan | De-Lite Records 12AP 3028First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label BD-48567", Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label FRESH112", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label |
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label BD-48567", Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Netherlands | De-Lite Records A 19C17", Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
50 vinyl pressings of Fresh are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1984 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Japan, France and more. One of them is De-Lite Records DEX 18.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DEX 18, DE 18, DEXDJ 18, 880 623-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DEX 18 A // 2 ∇ 420 P 1 2 3 and tone. 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.
