Vinyl pressings
by Sade · 1985
Promise 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.
54 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 25 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.
EPC 86318 A3 timtom ASide A runout, variation 1
EPC 86318 B8Side B runout, variation 1
EPC 86318 A3 timtomSide A runout, variation 2
EPC 86318 B5Side B runout, variation 2
EPC 86318 A1Side A Matrix
EPC 86318 B1Side B Matrix
EPC 86318-A4 C ASide A runout, variant 1
EPC 86318 B5 TYSide B runout, variant 1
EPC 86318 A1 timtomSide A runout, variant 2
EPC 86318 B3 tySide B runout, variant 2
EPC 86318-A4Side A runout, etched, variant 1
EPC 86318 B7Side B runout, etched, variant 1
EPC 86318-A6Side A runout, etched, variant 2
EPC 86318-B7Side B runout, etched, variant 2
EPC.86318.A.6 4 2 ASide A runout, variant 1
EPC.86318.B.6 4 ASide B runout, variant 1
EPC.86318.A4 ( )Side A runout, variant 2
EPC.86318.B7 A 2 ( ) ASide B runout, variant 2
EPC 86318-A6 C ASide A runout, variant 1
EPC 86318 B3 ty CSide B runout, variant 1
EPC.86318.A5 ASide A runout, variant 2
EPC 86318 B3 C TY DSide 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 | Argentina | CBS 20.721 / Discos CBS 20.721First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4510First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4510 / Epic ELPS4510First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4510First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Brazil | Epic 144869 / Epic EV 144869First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Costa Rica | CBS 1100914First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Epic EPC 86318 / Epic 86318First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Epic EPC 86318 / Epic 86318First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Epic EPC 86318 / Epic EPCCL 32 375 8LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Europe | Epic EPC 86318First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Epic EPC 86318 / Epic 86318First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Epic EPC 86318 / Epic 86318First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Epic EPC 86318 / Epic 86318First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Epic EPC 86318 / Epic 86318First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Epic EPC 86318 / Epic 86318First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Spain | Epic EPC 465575-1 / Epic 465575-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1991 | South Korea | CBS CPL-1115 / CBS RK-40263LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | US | Audio Fidelity AFZLP 139 / Epic 88691950051LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered |
| 2012 | US | Audio Fidelity AFZLP 139 / Epic 88691950051LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2013 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP797 / Epic MOVLP797LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | Epic 19658784811 / Sony Music 19658784811LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Epic 465575 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Epic 465575 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Taiwan | 雅音 AR-5160LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | Epic 465575 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Portrait FR 40263 / Columbia FR 40263LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| ? | US | Portrait FR 40263LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Venezuela | Epic EPIC-301LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Venezuela | Epic EPIC-301LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
80 vinyl pressings of Promise are listed here, from 31 countries, released between 1985 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Epic EPC 86318, released November 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPC 86318, FR 40263, 28·3P-682, 20.721) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EPC 86318 A3 timtom A and EPC 86318 B8. 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.
