Vinyl pressings
by Rick James · 1981
Ghetto Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 1981, the album's first year, in 5 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.
G7215FA66309-15B 8 WL [Stamped: MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.] CB.Scribed in runout, Side A
G7215FB66310-15B 8 WL [Stamped: MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.]Scribed in runout, Side B
(66309)Label A
(66310)Label B
G7215FA66309-15C 14 WL [Stamped] MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.]Scribed in runout, Side A
G7215FB66310-15B 14 WL [Stamped: MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.]Scribed in runout, Side B
(66309)Label A
(66310)Label B
(66309)Label A
(66310)Label B
G7215FA66309-15B 8 WL [Stamped: MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.]Scribed in runout, both sides
(66309)Label both sides
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | Gordy G 7215XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Motown 120·07·029First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Peru | Motown F - MOT 0007215.3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Motown TMGT 1250First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Motown TMG 1250First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Motown TMG 1250First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Gordy G 7215FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Gordy G7215FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Gordy G 7215FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Gordy G 7215FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Gordy G 7215FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Gordy G 7215FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Motown 100·07·178 / Bellaphon 100·07·178First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Japan | Motown VIPX-16227", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Japan | Motown VIPX-16227", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
16 vinyl pressings of Ghetto Life are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Germany, Canada and more. One of them is Gordy G 7215F.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G 7215F, G7215F, TMGT 1250, TMG 1250) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, G7215FA66309-15B 8 WL [Stamped: MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.] CB. and G7215FB66310-15B 8 WL [Stamped: MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.]. 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.
