Vinyl pressings
by LL Cool J · 1987
I Need Love / My Rhyme Ain't Done was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 10 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.
ZSS-176196-1B G1Runout etched side A
ZSS-176197-1A G1Runout etched side B
ZSS 176196Label side A
ZSS 176197Label side B
ZSS-176196-1B G1 E5 MASTERDISKRunout A, variant 1
ZSS-176197-1B M G1 A1Runout B, variant 1
ZSS-176196-1B G1 E1 MASTERDISKRunout A, variant 2
ZSS-176197-1B M G1 A20Runout B, variant 2
XSS - 176231 - 1B II G 1 MASTERDISK HW A4Runout Side A
XSS - 176231 - 1B II G 1 MASTERDISK HW A6Runout Side B
XSS 176231Label Side A
XSS 176231Label Side B
ZSS-176196-1B G1Runout etched side A
ZSS-176196-1B G1Runout etched side B
ZSS 176196Label side A
ZSS 176196Label side B
651101 8- 8 A3 D 2 TY1Side A runout etched/stamped
651101- 8 B1Side B runout etched
651101 8 A*Side A labels
651101 8 B*Side B labels
651101-7 A1Hand Etched Runout, Side A
651101-7 B1Hand Etched Runout, Side B
3 5 DStamped Runout, Side A
0Stamped Runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | Def Jam Recordings 38 07350 / Columbia 38 07350First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Costa Rica | CBS 7013313First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings DEF 651101 6 / Def Jam Recordings 651101 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Ireland | Def Jam Recordings 651101 7 / CBS 651101 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | South Africa | CBS SSC 6066First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Def Jam Recordings DEF 651101 7 / CBS DEF 651101 7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Def Jam Recordings DEF 651101 6 / CBS DEF 651101 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 651101 8 / CBS 651101 8First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 651101 7 / CBS 651101 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 651101 0 / CBS 651101 0First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1987 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 651101 8 / CBS 651101 8First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 651101 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 651101 8 / CBS 651101 8First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK & Europe | Def Jam Recordings DEF 651101 8First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | US | Def Jam Recordings 38-07350 / Columbia 38-07350First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of I Need Love / My Rhyme Ain't Done are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Europe, Canada and more. One of them is Def Jam Recordings 38-07350.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 38-07350, CAS 2780, 651101 8, 651101 7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS-176196-1B G1 and ZSS-176197-1A G1. 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.
