Vinyl pressings
by Kool & The Gang · 1981
Something Special 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.
34 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 24 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.
DSR 8502-AS-PW 2 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK TC (PR)Side A runout, etched (except "MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK" stamped)
DSR-8502-BS-PW2 (PR)Side B runout, etched
D-1 <—> DSR-8502-AS-REV-HRM STERLINGRunout A etched / STERLING stamped
E-1 <—> DSR-8502-B-HRM2-REV STERLINGRunout B etched / STERLING stamped
DSR 8502-AS-PRC-R-2-1-1A Side Runout Groove
DSR-8502-BS-PRC-R1-1-11B Side Runout Groove
II DSR-8502-AS-PRC-2-1-111 MASTERED BY FRANKFORD / WAYNE NEW YORK TCSide A runout etched, except (MASTERED BY FRANKFORD / WAYNE) stamped
DSR-8502-BS-PRC-R1-1-111Side B runout etched
DSR-8502-AS-PWZ MASTERED BY FRANKFORD / WAYNE NEW YORK TCVariant 1
II DSR-8502-BS-PWZ
DSR 8502-AS-PRC-C-2-1-111 (EP) MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK TCRunout side A, variant 1
DSR 8502-BS-PRC-C-2-1-1Runout side B, variant 1
DSR-8502-AS-PRC-C-2-1-1 1 1 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK TC -EF-Runout side A, variant 2
DSR-8502-BS-PRC-C-2-1-1 1 1Runout side B, variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | RCA Victor AVI-4948First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australasia | De-Lite Records 6399 296First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | De-Lite Records 6399 296First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Bolivia | De-Lite Records DL-70002 / De-Lite Records DL-70.002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | De-Lite Records 104.8206First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | De-Lite Records DSR 8502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Colombia | Top Hits TH 1176First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Ecuador | De-Lite Records LP 87001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Finland | De-Lite Records DSR 8502 / De-Lite Records 6337 192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | De-Lite Records 540015 / Vogue 540015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | De-Lite Records 0060.462First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | De-Lite Records DLP 9003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | De-Lite Records 25AP 2145First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | De-Lite Records 25AP 2145First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Gamma GX 01-1256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Colombia | Top Hits TH 1176LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | De-Lite Records PRICE 81 / De-Lite Records 6399 296LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | De-Lite Records 822 534-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
42 vinyl pressings of Something Special are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Argentina, Australasia and more. One of them is De-Lite Records DSR 8502.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DSR 8502, DSR-8502, DSR 001, AVI-4948) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DSR 8502-AS-PW 2 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK TC (PR) and DSR-8502-BS-PW2 (PR). 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.
