Vinyl pressings
by Kool & The Gang · 1976
Open Sesame 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.
10 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 5 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.
DEP-2023-A K5 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NSA-Side Runout Etching
DEP-2023-B MD-2 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NSB-Side Runout Etching
DEP-2023-A MO-2 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD / WAYNE PHILA. NSRunout A, variant 1
DEP-2023-B MO-2 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD / WAYNE PHILA. NSRunout B, variant 1
DEP-2023-A (2) MASTERING BY FRANKFORD / WAYNE PHILA. NSRunout A, variant 2
DEP-2023-B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD / WAYNE PHILA. NSRunout B, variant 2
DEP-2023-A 4 F/WRunout side A, variant 1
DEP-2023-B 2 F/W :-)Runout side B, variant 1
DEP-2023-A 4 F/WRunout side A, variant 2
DEP-2023-B 4 F/W :-)Runout side A, variant 2
DEP-2023-A F/WSide 1
DEP-2023-B F/W :-)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 9088-2023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | De-Lite Records 940 544First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | De-Lite Records ISS-80748First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Japan | De-Lite Records DEP-2023 / De-Lite Records ISS-80748First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Philippines | De-Lite Records DEP-2344First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | De-Lite Records DEP-2023 / De-Lite Records DEP 2023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | De-Lite Records DDJ 2023First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | De-Lite Records DEP-2023LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1976 | US | De-Lite Records DEP 2023First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | De-Lite Records DEP 2023LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1976 | US | De-Lite Records DE 2023 / De-Lite Records DE 2023LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1976 | US | De-Lite Records DEP-2023LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1976 | US | De-Lite Records DEP-2023 / De-Lite Records DEP 2023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | De-Lite Records DEP-2023 / De-Lite Records DEP 2023First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1977 | Brazil | Top Tape TT-115LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Keel Mfg. Corp. DEP-202312", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | South Korea | Not On Label 892LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | De-Lite Records DEP-2023LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | De-Lite Records DEP-2023 / De-Lite Records DE 2023LP, Album | LP, Album |
21 vinyl pressings of Open Sesame are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Canada, France, Japan and more. One of them is De-Lite Records DEP-2023.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DEP-2023, DEP 2023, DDJ 2023, 9088-2023) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DEP-2023-A K5 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS and DEP-2023-B MD-2 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS. 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.
