Vinyl pressings
by Natalie Cole · 1977
Unpredictable was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 16 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-1-11600 F-5• A-60906 2 Wly MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout A etch; 2, MASTERED stamp
SW-2-11600 F-5• A-60906 2 Wly ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout B etch; 2, ✲ MASTERED stamp
SO 1-11600Side A Label
SO 2-11600Side B Label
SW-1-11600 F-8 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL ◎A side variant 1
SW-2-11600 F-19 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL ◎B side variant 1
SW-1-11600 F-8 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLA side variant 2
ST-2-11600 F-19 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLB side variant 2
MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side A&B stamped
SOS̶̷̲̅T̶̷̲̅ -1-11600 F-2 #3 Wly ⎯⎯◁A side variant 1
SOS̶̷̲̅T̶̷̲̅ -2-11600 F-10 #2 ⎯⎯◁ WlyB side variant 1
SOS̶̷̲̅T̶̷̲̅ -1-11600 F-2 #5 Wly ⎯⎯◁A side variant 2
SW-1-11600 F-5• A-60906 Wly ─◁ Mastered By CapitolSide 1 Runout
SW-2-11600 F-5• A-60906 Wly ─◁ Mastered By CapitolSide 2 Runout
ASCAPA1, A2, A4, A5, B2, B3, B5
BMIA3, B1, B4
SO S̶T̶ -1-11600 F-1 #2 Wly MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side A etch / 0, MASTERED stamp
SO-2-11600 F-6 #1 Wly MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side B etch / 0, MASTERED stamp
SO 1-11600Side A label
SO 2-11600Side B label
E-ST1 11600Side A label
E-ST2 11600Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | Capitol Records 8434First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | Capitol Records ST-11600First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Brazil | Capitol Records SO-11600First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records SW 11600First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records SO-11600First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records SW 11600First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Capitol Records 2C 066-85085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Capitol Records 066-85085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Capitol Records 1 C 066-85 085 / EMI Electrola 1 C 066-85 085First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Hong Kong | Capitol Records SO-11600First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Capitol Records 3C 064 - 85085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-80715First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 5C 062-85085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Scandinavia | Capitol Records 7C 062-85085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | Capitol Records 10 C 062-85085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | USA & Europe | Capitol Records B0025923-01 / UMe B0025923-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Kenya | EMI SO-11600LP, Album | LP, Album |
27 vinyl pressings of Unpredictable are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1977 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Capitol Records SO-11600, released February 14, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SO-11600, SW-11600, E-ST 11600, 8434) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SW-1-11600 F-5• A-60906 2 Wly MASTERED BY CAPITOL and SW-2-11600 F-5• A-60906 2 Wly ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL. 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.
