Vinyl pressings
by Peabo Bryson · 1984
Slow Dancin' was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
ST-EA- 69699-A3 [Allied Logo] R-13243-A3 STERLING SLM △7538 1-1Etched Side A, except [Allied Logo] & STERLING Stamped
ST-EA- 69699-B3 STERLING R-13243-A3 STERLING △7538-X 1-1 SLM [Allied Logo]Etched Side B, except [Allied Logo] & STERLING Stamped
ST-E-69699-A-ARA-Side Label
ST-E-69699-B-ARB-Side Label
ST-E-69699A-2 SRC STERLING 1-1Runout side A, variant 1
SRC ST-E-69699-B1 STERLING 1-2Runout side B, variant 1
SRC ST-E- 69699-A 1 STERLING 1-1Runout side A, variant 2
ST-E- 69699 B 2 STERLING SRC 1-1Runout side B, variant 2
ST-E-69699A-1 SRC STERLING SRC(Logo)A-Side Runout Etching
SRC ST-E-69699-B2 STERLING SRC(Logo)B-Side Runout Etching
ST-E-69699-A-SPA-Side Label
ST-E-69699-B-SPB-Side Label
ST-ED-5007 A-2 STERLING SRCRunout both sides etched, except Sterling & SRC Logo
ST-E-69699A-2 SRC STERLINGRunout Etchings (Both Sides)
ST-E-69699-A-SPLabels
MX-209439A-Side Label
MX-209440B-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Elektra 7-69699First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Elektra 96 96997First year7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Elektra 96 96997First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Elektra 7-69699First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | Elektra ED 5007First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Elektra 7-69699First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Elektra 7-69699First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | Elektra 7-69699First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Elektra 7-69699First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | US | Elektra Ed 500712", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
10 vinyl pressings of Slow Dancin' are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Elektra 7-69699.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-69699, ED 5007, 96 96997) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-EA- 69699-A3 [Allied Logo] R-13243-A3 STERLING SLM △7538 1-1 and ST-EA- 69699-B3 STERLING R-13243-A3 STERLING △7538-X 1-1 SLM [Allied Logo]. 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.
