Vinyl pressings
by Kool & The Gang · 1976
Love & Understanding was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 12 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.
# DEP2018-A RE2 1GSide A Etched, variant 1
⚝ DEP2018B RM-1 JY 15Side B Etched, variant 1
DEP 2018-A RE2 1GSide A Etched, variant 2
DEP 2018-B RE-2Side B Etched, variant 2
DEP 2018-A RE2 1GRunout side A, var. 1
DEP 2018-B RE2Runout side B, var. 1
DEP 2018-A RE2 1GRunout side A, var. 2
DEP 2018-B RE-2 M-2 JGRunout side B, var. 2
DEP 2018-A RE2 1G M 3Runout side A
DEP 2018-B RE2 1 882Runout side B
DEP 2018-AA-side label
DEP 2018-BB-side label
2310-441 ALabel, A side
2310-441 BLabel, B side
2310441 1 360 0101 S A1 PDLMatrix Side 1
2310441 2 360 0101 S A1 PDLMatrix Side 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | De-Lite Records 9088-2018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Polydor 2310 441First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor 2310 441First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor 2310 441First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Greece | Polydor 2310 441 / Polydor 2310-441First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Greece | Polydor 2310 441First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Italy | Carosello CLN 25064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Jamaica | Polydor 2310 441 / Polydor 2310-441First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | De-Lite Records ISS-80511 / Toshiba EMI ISS-80511First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | De-Lite Records ISS-80511First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Philippines | De-Lite Records DEP-2259First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | South Africa | De-Lite Records Lite 5002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Taiwan | Jen Sheng JS-5080LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1976 | Turkey | Max 1742 / Max LP. 1742First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Polydor 2310 441 / Polydor 2310-441First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Polydor 2310 441LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| ? | Japan | De-Lite Records LEX-2018LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of Love & Understanding are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is De-Lite Records DEP-2018, released March 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DEP-2018, DEP 2018, 2310 441, 9088-2018) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, # DEP2018-A RE2 1G and ⚝ DEP2018B RM-1 JY 15. 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.
