Vinyl pressings
by Leon Ware · 1976
Musical Massage 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 6 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.
G6-97651-2629-5-06 B MR △21274 (1) GMA runout, etched / MR stamped - variant 1
G6-97651-2630-5-06 B MR △21274-X (1) GMB runout, etched / MR stamped - variant 1
G6-976S1-2629-S-06 A MR △ 21274 #13 ⊦ NV GMA runout, etched / MR stamped - variant 2
G6-976S1-2630-S-06 A MR #13 ⊦ △ 21274-X NV GMB runout, etched / MR stamped - variant 2
G6-976S1-2629-S-06 A #13 MR △21274 GMSide 1 Runout
G6-976S1-2630-S-06 A #13 MR △21274-X GMSide 2 Runout
G6-976S1-2629-S-06 A #12 MR △21274 GMSide 1 Runout (variant 2)
G6-976S1-2630-S-06 A #12 MR △21274-X GMSide 2 Runout (variant 2)
G6-976S1-2629-S-06 B MR △21274 (1) jimSide A runout etched, MR stamped
G6-976S1-2630-S-06 B MR △21274-X (1) jimSide B runout etched, MR stamped
2629-SSide A label
2630-SSide B label
STML12050ALabel - Side A
STML12050BLabel - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Motown STMLO-10160First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Brazil | Top Tape G6-976First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Motown G-976PIFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Motown G-976PIFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Japan | Motown VIP-6373First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Japan | Motown VIP-6373First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Motown STML 12050 / Motown 0C 062-98 610First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Gordy G6-976S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Gordy G6-976S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Gordy G6-976S1 / Gordy G6-976 S1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | UK | Expansion EXLPM 9LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | France | Culture Factory 782 505 / LMLR 782 505LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | US | Motown B0032476-01 / Universal Music Special Markets B0032476-01LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Club edition |
| 2025 | Europe | Elemental Music 620943 / UMe 620943LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 2025 | Europe | Elemental Music 620943 / UMe 620943LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
15 vinyl pressings of Musical Massage are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1976 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Gordy G6-976S1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G6-976S1, STML 12050, STMLO-10160, G6-976) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, G6-97651-2629-5-06 B MR △21274 (1) GM and G6-97651-2630-5-06 B MR △21274-X (1) GM. 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.
