Vinyl pressings
by Luther Vandross · 1983
Busy Body 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.
10 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 9 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.
STERLING Ⓗ o G1 AL 39196-1AB B7Side A runout, variant 1
STERLING Ⓗ o G1 BL 39196-1AD B15Side B runout, variant 1
STERLING Ⓗ o G1 AL39196-1AC B4Side A runout, variant 2
STERLING Ⓗ o G1 BL 39196-1AD A9Side B runout, variant 2
STERLING Ⓗ o P AL 39196-1JRunout A, variant 1
STERLING Ⓗ o P BL 39196-1KRunout B, variant 1
P o AL39196-1AG A STERLING ⒽRunout A, variant 2
P o BL 39196-1K B STERLING ⒽRunout B, variant 2
EPC-25608-A1 EVariant 1, Runout, side A
EPC-25608-B1 ⋀Variant 1, Runout, side B
EPC-25608-A1 CVariant 2, Runout, side A
EPC-25608-B1 AVariant 2, Runout, side B
AL-39196-1A-2HZ: DM-2Side A runout
BL-39196-1A-2HZ: DM-2Side B runout
AL 39196Side A label
BL 39196Side B label
01-25608-4 A-1 A STERLING NL AL 39196 - 1AJA side runout, variant 1
01-25608-1 B-1 STERLING P BL 39316 - 1A A NLB side runout, variant 1
01-25608-1A-1 A STERLING G P AL 39196-1J P NLA side runout, variant 2
01-25608-1B-1 STERLING P BL 39196-1H A NLB side runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Europe | Epic EPC 25608First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Epic EPC 25608First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Jamaica | Epic FE 39196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Epic 25・3P-485First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 4426 / Epic EPC 4426First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Epic EPC 25608First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Epic FE 39196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Epic FE 39196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Zimbabwe | Epic KSF 2942First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Epic FE 39196First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Epic EPC 25608LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | UK | Epic 460183 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Epic EPC 25608LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
13 vinyl pressings of Busy Body are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Epic FE 39196.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FE 39196, EPC 25608, 25・3P-485, ELPS 4426) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STERLING Ⓗ o G1 AL 39196-1AB B7 and STERLING Ⓗ o G1 BL 39196-1AD B15. 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.
