Vinyl pressings
by The Jeff Lorber Fusion · 1980
Wizard Island 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.
9 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 4 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.
\ - 5 AL-9516-SA - 1A SXT ARunout Side A [Etched]
\ 5 AL-9516-SB - 1A B SXTRunout Side B [Etched]
(AL 9516 SA)Label Side A
(AL 9516 SB)Label Side B
\ S AL-9516-SA-1A SXTEtched in Side A runout, variant 1
\ S AL-9516-SB-1C SXTEtched in Side B runout, variant 1
\ S AL-9516-SA - 1C SXT A3Etched in Side A runout, variant 2
\ S AL-9516-SB - 1B SXT AEtched in Side B runout, variant 2
AL-9516-SA HUBSide A Runout - Etched
AL-9516-SB HUBSide B Runout - Etched
AL-9516-SA B SI SXSide A runout-Etched
AL-9516-SB - 1B SX B S2Runout Side B [Etched]
AL-9516-SA HUBRunout side A
AL-9516-SB HUBRunout side B
AL 9516 SALabel side A
AL 9516 SBLabel side B
\ S AL-9516-SA - 1A SXT F3Runout Side A
\ S AL-9516-SB - 1C SXT C8Runout Side B
AL 9516 SALabel Side A
AL 9516 SBLabel Side B
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 | Italy | Arista ARS 39071First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Arista 25RS 88First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Philippines | Arista AR 1025 / Arista AL 9516First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Arista AL 9516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Arista AL 9516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Arista AL 9516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Arista AL 9516LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | US | Arista AL 9516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Arista AL 9516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Arista AL 9516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Arista AL 9516LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Arista AL5-8081LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Arista ALB6-8340LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Arista AL 9516 / Arista AL5-8081LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of Wizard Island are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1980 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Italy, Japan, Philippines. One of them is Arista AL 9516.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 9516, ARS 39071, 25RS 88, AR 1025) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, \ - 5 AL-9516-SA - 1A SXT A and \ 5 AL-9516-SB - 1A B SXT. 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.
