Vinyl pressings
by Ramsey Lewis · 1980
Routes was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 8 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.
Mastered By Capitol Pal 36423 IC F2Runout side A, variant 1
Mastered By Capitol Wally PBL 36423 1HRunout side B, variant 1
p PAL-36423 1AA F11 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ARunout side A, variant 2
PBL-36423 1H MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout side B, variant 2
T \ PAL-36423 1E Mastered By CapitolSide A runout
T / PBL-36423 1E Mastered By CapitolSide B runout
PAL-36423 IC F2 A MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A
PBL-36423 1J A MASTERED BY CAPITOL WALLYSide B
PBL-36423 1H A MASTERED BY CAPITOL WALLYSide B
1S PAL-36423 1A F1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ARunout side A
PBL-36423 1H MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout side B
AL 36423Label side A
BL 36423Label side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | CBS SBP 237492First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 84243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1913First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1913First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Mexico | Epic LNS-17337First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Philippines | CBS/Sony LP-1414First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | CBS S CBS 84243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36423First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36423First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36423First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36423First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36423First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Columbia JC 36423First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36423LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Routes are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia JC 36423.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 36423, S CBS 84243, SBP 237492, CBS 84243) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Mastered By Capitol Pal 36423 IC F2 and Mastered By Capitol Wally PBL 36423 1H. 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.
