Vinyl pressings
by Stephanie Mills · 1980
Sweet Sensation was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 14 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.
M603 AS A 2S I STERLING A 4 CRunout A, variant 1
M 603 BS B 2S I STERLING B 2 LRunout B, variant 1
M603 AS A 2S | STERLING B1 JJJRunout A, variant 2
M 603 BS B 2S | STERLING B1 RRRRunout B, variant 2
M-603-AS-ASide 1 Label
M-603-BS-BSide 2 Label
M 603AS-1A
M 603BS-1A
M-703-AS-AMatrix side A, on label
M-703-BS-BMatrix side B, on label
M-703 M-(603 deleted XXX) AS-1D /T COLUMBIA NYSide 1 matrix etched
XTM-703 M-(603 deleted XXX) BS-1B /TSide 2 matrix etched
M-703-AS-ASide 1 matrix label
M-703-BS-BSide 2 matrix label
M603ASA 2S A3 WRunout side A, stamped
M603BSB 2S STERLING A3 IBRunout side B, stamped
MS03 ASA 3S I A7Side 1, Variant 1:
M603 BSB 1O I A4Side 2, Variant 1:
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | RCA Victor AVI-4797First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Brazil | RCA Victor 104.8154First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | 20th Century Fox Records T-603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | 20th Century Fox Records FL 48603 / 20th Century Fox Records T-603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | 20th Century Fox Records MAL-CELP 50102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | 20th Century Fox Records RVP-6467First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | 20th Century Fox Records RVP-6467First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | 20th Century Fox Records RVP-6467First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Mexico | RCA Victor MILS-4486First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | 20th Century Fox Records T-603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Philippines | 20th Century Fox Records T-603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | 20th Century Fox Records TCC 4020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | 20th Century Fox Records T-603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | 20th Century Fox Records T-603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | 20th Century Fox Records T-603First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | RCA Victor Avi-4797LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
24 vinyl pressings of Sweet Sensation are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia & New Zealand, Brazil and more. One of them is 20th Century Fox Records T-603.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T-603, T 603, T-703 M-703, T 703) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M603 AS A 2S I STERLING A 4 C and M 603 BS B 2S I STERLING B 2 L. 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.
