Vinyl pressings
by Shannon · 1983
Let The Music Play was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
53 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 19 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.
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKRun-out both sides [machine-Stamp]
EMDS-6540-A HERbIE JR :v) AngiE "IT's SmoKing" "IT's FREsh" "LeT IT PLAy" (PR)Run-out A-Side, (PR) facing inwards towards label [etched]
EMDS-6540-B HERbIE JR :v) (PR)Run-out B-side, (PR) facing inwards towards label [etched]
1-1 ST-WG-45672-5 SRCA-Side Runout Etching, Variant 1
1-1 ST-WG-45673-5 SRCB-Side Runout Etching, Variant 1
ST-WG-45672-6 SRC 1A-Side Runout Etching, Variant 2
ST-WG-45613-5 SRC 1-1B-Side Runout Etching, Variant 2
ST-WG-45672-5 [SRC logo] SLM △5585 1-2 SparSide A runout
ST-WG-45673-7 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-12090-7 SLM △5585-X 1-5Side B runout
ST-WG-45672-ARSide A label
ST-WG-45673-ARSide B label
ƐMDS-6540-A "LET IT PLAY" "IT's FRESh" "IT's SmᴏKINg" HERbIE JR :v) ANgE (PR)A-Side Runout Etching
ƐMDS-6540-B HERbIE JR :v) (PR)B-Side Runout Etching
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKRunout Stamp Each Side
ST-WG-45672-6 SRC 1-1A-Side Runout Etching
o SRC ST-WG-45672-3 1-1B-Side Runout Etching
ST-WG-45672-SPA-Side Label
ST-WG-45674-SPB-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australasia | Polydor 817 045-1First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Australia | Polydor 817 045-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Benelux | Ariola 601.040 / Dance Records 601.040First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Unidisc 7MM-702First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Unidisc MM-006First year12" | 12" |
| 1983 | Canada | Unidisc 12MM-006First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Emergency Records MM-702First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Emergency Records MM-006First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Unidisc 7MM-702First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Unidisc MM-702First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Ecuador | Polydor 817 045-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Polydor 817 045-1First year12", Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Polydor 817 045-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 817 045-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Guatemala | Polydor 817 045-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Italy | Flying International FIN 05312" | 12" |
| 1999 | US | Contagious Records CMC-102012", Limited Edition, 33 ⅓ RPM · Limited | 12", Limited Edition, 33 ⅓ RPM · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Germany | InHouse SD 0011-12 / Sound Design SD 0011-1212", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 2001 | Germany | Sound Design SD 0011-1212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 2001 | UK | Sound Design SDES 11T12" | 12" |
| 2001 | UK | Not On Label12", Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2001 | UK | Sound Design SDES 11TX12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 2002 | Italy | Sound Design PRV 02.2002 / ZYX Music PRV 02.200212" | 12" |
| 2002 | Spain | Tanga Records VLMX 860-312", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 2002 | Netherlands | Vocal Bizz Recordings VBZZ 118-1212", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 2002 | Germany | Sound Design SD 0011R-12 / ZYX Music SD 0011R-1212" | 12" |
| 2003 | UK | Disco Dogs Records DD-00412" | 12" |
| 2006 | UK | Not On Label (Shannon) FATT 00112", Single Sided, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial | 12", Single Sided, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial |
| 2006 | UK | Not On Label (Shannon) FATT 00112", Unofficial Release, Single Sided · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release, Single Sided · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Canada | Mirage SPEC-182712", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | Canada | Unidisc SPEC 1857 / Mirage SPEC 185712" · Colored vinyl | 12" · Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Canada | Emergency Records SPEC-1609 / Unidisc SPEC-160912", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Emergency Records SPEC-1609 / Unidisc SPEC-160912", Single, Reissue, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Single, Reissue, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| ? | Canada | Unidisc SPEC-1609 / Emergency Records SPEC-160912", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Unidisc MM-00612", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress | 12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress |
| ? | UK | Not On Label (Shannon) PLAY 112", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label |
| ? | UK | Not On Label (Shannon) LAR 00512", Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Waako Records WR130912", White Label | 12", White Label |
| ? | US | Emergency Records EMDS 654012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
92 vinyl pressings of Let The Music Play are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1983 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Germany, Australasia and more. One of them is Emergency Records EMDS 6540, released October 19, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMDS 6540, 7-99810, EMS 4540, LET 112) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK and EMDS-6540-A HERbIE JR :v) AngiE "IT's SmoKing" "IT's FREsh" "LeT IT PLAy" (PR). 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.
