Vinyl pressings
by Luther Vandross · 1987
There's Nothing Better Than Love 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.
8 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 4 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 ZSS 175882-1C G1 C9A-side runout version 1
ZSS 175883-1B G1 STERLING B10B-side runout version 1
ZSS 175882-1A G1 B-2 STERLINGA-side runout version 2
ZSS 175883-1B G1 STERLING D2B-side runout version 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | Epic 34-06978First year7" | 7" |
| 1987 | Canada | Epic 34 06978First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Costa Rica | Epic 7045452First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Jamaica | Columbia LUTH T7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Jamaica | Columbia 34-06978First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | US | Epic EAS 02667First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Epic 34-06978First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Epic 34-06978First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | Epic LUTH T712" | 12" |
| 1988 | US | Epic 15-084317", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Epic LUTH 77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of There's Nothing Better Than Love are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, Canada, Costa Rica, Jamaica. One of them is Epic 34-06978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 34-06978, EAS 02667, 34 06978, 7045452) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STERLING ZSS 175882-1C G1 C9 and ZSS 175883-1B G1 STERLING B10. 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.
