Vinyl pressings
by Love Unlimited Orchestra · 1976
Theme From King Kong 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.
14 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 8 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.
T1 M-TCD-61-AS RE-1 A\Run-Out Inscription A-Side
T\ M-TCD-61-BS RE-1 A|Run-Out Inscription B-Side
M-TCD-61-AS-RE-1A-Side Label
M-TCD-61-BS-RE-1B-Side Label
(M-2325-AS RE-1)A-Side Label
(M-2325-BS RE-1)B-Side Label
1 S M-TCD-61-AS RE-1 1A B1Etched Side A
1 S M-TCD-61-BS RE-1 1B A 2Etched Side B
M-TCD-61-AS-RE-1Label Side A
M-TCD-61-BS-RE-1Label Side B
M-2325-AS RE-1 1B ssRunout side A, etched
M-2325-BS RE-1 1A ssRunout side B, etched
M-2325-AS-RE-1Label side A
M-2325-AS-RE-1Label side B
T M-2325-AS RE-1 TIA-Side Runout Etching
T M-2325-BS RE-1 TIB-Side Runout Etching
(M-2325-AS)RE-1A-Side Label
(M-2325-BS)RE-1B-Side Label
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 | 20th Century Records K-6654First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | 20th Century Records 1209-2325First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Canada | 20th Century Records 1209-2325First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | 20th Century Records 6162 110First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | Netherlands | 20th Century Records 6162 110First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | New Zealand | 20th Century Records K 6654First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Panama | 20th Century Records TC-2325First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Scandinavia | 20th Century Records 6162 110First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | 20th Century Records TCD-61First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | US | 20th Century Records TC-2325First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | 20th Century Records TCD-6112", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | US | 20th Century Records TC-2325First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | US | 20th Century Records TCD-61First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | US | 20th Century Records TC-2325First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | US | 20th Century Records TC-2325First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of Theme From King Kong are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is 20th Century Records TCD-61.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TCD-61, TC-2325, K-6654, 1209-2325) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 M-TCD-61-AS RE-1 A\ and T\ M-TCD-61-BS RE-1 A|. 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.
