Vinyl pressings
by Michael Johnson · 1978
The Michael Johnson Album was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 12 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.
SW-1-17002 F1 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP 0A side runout etch, exc MAST..., 0 stamp
SW-2-17002 F1 #4 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP 0B side runout etch, exc MAST..., 0 stamp
AMS 2002 A-1 G 1 ( HTM etched )Side A stamped
AMS 2002 B-1Side B stamped
SW-1-17002 F8 #3 MASTERED BY CAPITOL —◁ KPSide A runout
SW-2-17002 F2 #5 MASTERED BY CAPITOL —◁ KPSide B runout
SW-1-17002Side A label
SW-2-17002Side B label
SW-1-17002 F6 Mastered By Capitol (stamped) [*] stamped belowSide A
SW-2-17002 F6 Mastered By Capitol (stamped) [*] stamped belowSide B
AMS 2002 A-1 HTMSide A
AMS 2002 B-1Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Argentina | Capitol Records 38026First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Australia | EMI America EMAM.2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI America EMAM.2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 064085576First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | EMI America SW-17002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | EMI America 1C 064-85 576First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | EMI America EYS-81100First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | EMI America EYS-81100First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Philippines | EMI SW-17002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Spain | Capitol Records 10 C 064-085.576 / EMI America SW-17002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | EMI America AMS 2002 / EMI America 0C 062-85 576First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | EMI America SW-17002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | EMI America SW17002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Venezuela | EMI America EMAS-17000First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | EMI America SW-17002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
16 vinyl pressings of The Michael Johnson Album are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is EMI America SW-17002, released June 15, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SW-17002, AMS 2002, SW17002, 38026) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SW-1-17002 F1 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP 0 and SW-2-17002 F1 #4 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP 0. 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.
