Vinyl pressings
by Kool & The Gang · 1983
Straight Ahead was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 7 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.
311027 ASide A (Runout groove, etched)
311027 BSide B (Runout groove, etched)
M.P.P.V.Side A & B (Runout groove, stamped)
311027 ASide A label
101821A M.P.P.V.Runout side A
101821B M.P.P.V.Runout side B
101821 ALabel side A
101821 BLabel side B
DEX 15 A//2▽420 P toneRunout stamped/etched side A, variant 1
DEX 15 B//2▽420 PRunout stamped side B, variant 1
DEX 15 A//2▽420 P 11 5 toneRunout stamped/etched side A, variant 2
DEX 15 B//2▽420 P 11 4Runout stamped side B, variant 2
DE 15 A//4▽ 420 Tone 1Side A Runout
DE 15 B//1▽ 420 PSide B Runout
(814 951-7)Side A Label
(814 951-7)Side B Label
DE 15 A // 3▽420 P Tone ̶L̶5̶ ̶2̶ ̶2̶ 1 1 1 1Runout side A
DE 15 B //1▽420 P 1 1 1 9Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | De-Lite Records DESX 828First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | De-Lite Records DES 828First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | De-Lite Records 311027 / Vogue 311027First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | France | De-Lite Records 101821First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Italy | De-Lite Records DL 908First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | De-Lite Records 07SP 729First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | De-Lite Records SPBO-50055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | De-Lite Records SPBO-50055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | De-Lite Records DEX 15First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | De-Lite Records DE 15First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | De-Lite Records DEX DJ 15First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | De-Lite Records DE 15 / De-Lite Records 814 951-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | US | De-Lite Records PRO-278-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | De-Lite Records DE 831First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | US | De-Lite Records PRO 278-1First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
21 vinyl pressings of Straight Ahead are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in France, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is De-Lite Records 311027.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 311027, 101821, DEX 15, DE 15) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 311027 A and 311027 B. 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.
