Vinyl pressings
by Sam Harris · 1986
Sam-I-Am was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
6165 MLA 15A ZCC #/2 FUTURE DISC 600Variant 1 Side One
6165 MLB 15A ZCC #/2 600Variant 1 Side Two
6165 MLA 15A ZCC #/12 FUTURE DISCVariant 2 Side One
6165 MLB 15A ZCC #12Variant 2 Side Two
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Motown 6165 MLFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Motown MOT-6165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Germany | Motown ZL72415First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | Motown 45034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | Motown ZL72415First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | Motown ZL72415 / Motown ZL 72415First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Motown 6165MLFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Motown 6165MLFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Motown 6165MLLP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | Motown 6165MLLP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Japan | Motown RMTL-8006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Motown RMTL-8006First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of Sam-I-Am are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Japan, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Motown 6165ML.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6165ML, RMTL-8006, 6165 ML, MOT-6165) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6165 MLA 15A ZCC #/2 FUTURE DISC 600 and 6165 MLB 15A ZCC #/2 600. 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.
