Vinyl pressings
by Ray Parker Jr. · 1985
Sex And The Single Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 10 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.
AL-8280-SA ES [Flower Drawing] EmwSide A Etched, Variant 1
AL8-8280-SB ES1 [Flower Drawing] EmwSide B Etched, Variant 1
AL8-8280-SA RCA-1 [Flower Drawing] I A1Side A Etched, "I" and "A1" are Stamped, Variant 2
AL8-8280-SB RCA-1 [Flower Drawing] I A3Side B Etched, "I" and "A3" are Stamped, Variant 2
DM 207 252 A 17855 1Run-out Groove A
DM 207 252 B 17855 1Run-out Groove B
S 207 252 ACenter-label A
S 207 252 BCenter-label B
DM 207252 A-1/85S ISide A runout, variant 1
DM 207252 B-1/85S I IISide B runout, variant 1
DM 207252 A-1/85S I IISide A runout, variant 2
DM 207252 B-1/85S I IISide B runout, variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Arista L 38482 / Arista AL 8-8280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Arista AL8-8280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Arista 207 252 / Ariola Eurodisc GmbH 207 252First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Arista 207 252First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | Arista 207 252 / Arista VG 60031-AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | Arista ARS 39210First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Arista 28RS-7First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | Arista 28RS-7First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Mexico | Arista LA-655First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Philippines | Arista RTLP-16077 / Arista AL 8-8280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Spain | Arista I 207252 / Arista I-207.252First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Arista AL8-8280 / Arista AL 8-8280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Arista AL8-8280LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | US | Arista AL8-8280 / Arista AL 8-8280LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Brazil | Arista 104.8339LP, Album | LP, Album |
16 vinyl pressings of Sex And The Single Man are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Arista AL8-8280.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL8-8280, L 38482, 207 252, ARS 39210) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-8280-SA ES [Flower Drawing] Emw and AL8-8280-SB ES1 [Flower Drawing] Emw. 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.
