Vinyl pressings
by Robert Palmer · 1975
Pressure Drop was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 7 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.
ILPS-9372-A "MORE SCHMALTZ" STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
ILPS-9372-B STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
ILPS.9372-A I-24 1 "MORE SCHMALTZ" STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
ILPS.9372-B I-32 11 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
P 1 S SX ISLP-9372-A ‧ 1A "MORE SCHMALTZ" STERLINGRunout, side A
P S ILPS-9372-B ‧ 1B SX STERLING PRunout, side B
ILPS-9372-ALabel, side A
ILPS-9372-BLabel, side B
ILPS I̶S̶L̶P̶ -9372-A.1A "More Schmaltz"Runout Variant 1 Side A, etched
ILPS-9372-B.1BRunout Variant 1 Side B, etched
STERLINGBoth Sides, stamped
ILPS I9372-A 1B "More Schmaltz"Runout Variant 2 Side A, etched
1 S /3 ILPS-9372-A 1A "MORE SCHMALTZ" STERLINGRunout A, variant 1
& 1 S ILPS-9372-B 1B SX STERLINGRunout B, variant 1
1 S ILPS-9372-A 1B SX "MORE SCHMALTZ" STERLINGRunout A, variant 2
Δ 1 S ILPS-9372-B 1B SX H STERLINGRunout B, variant 2
ILPS 15 I̶S̶L̶P̶ -9372-A .1A "MORE SCHMALTZ"Side A, etched
15 ILPS-9372-B 1BSide B, etched
STERLINGBoth Sides, stamped
ILPS-9372-A 1A SXT "MORE SCHMALTZ" I SA Side runout
ILPS-9372-B 1A SXT STERLING I SB Side runout
ILPS-9372-AA Side label
ILPS-9372-BB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Island Records L 35773First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Australia | Island Records L 35773First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9372First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9372First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Island Records ILS-80474First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Island Records 89 671 XOT / Island Records ILPS 9372First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Island Records L35773First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9372First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Island Records ILPS 9372First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Island Records ILPS 9372First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Island Records ILPS 9372LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1975 | US | Island Records ILPS 9372 / Island Records ILPS-9372First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Island Records ILPS 9372First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Island Records ILPS 9372First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Island Records ILPS 9372First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | Island Records 9101 689LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Germany | Island Records 89 671 XOTLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Spain | Ariola I-89671LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Island Records R25-2027 / Polystar R25-2027LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | Japan | Island Records R25D-2027 / Polystar R25D-2027LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | Island Records ILPM 9372LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Island Records 89671 / Island Records 89 671 XOTLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Benelux | Island Records 89 671 XOT / Island Records ILPS 9372LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Island Records XILP 9372LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Island Records XILP 9372LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISM 9372LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Island Records 89 671 XOTLP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19372LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19372LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9372LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9372LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9372LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Island Records 90087-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Island Records ILPS 9372LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Island Records ILPS 9372LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
39 vinyl pressings of Pressure Drop are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1975 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9372.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9372, L 35773, 89 671 XOT, L35773) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS-9372-A "MORE SCHMALTZ" STERLING and ILPS-9372-B STERLING. 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.
