Vinyl pressings
by The Manhattan Transfer · 1983
Spice Of Life 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.
21 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 11 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.
STA-45221-9 1 [SRC logo]Side A runout, variant 1
STA-45222-12 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-11738-12 SLM△ 5040-X I - I 0 - 1 SM I - ISide B runout, variant 1
STA-45221-10 1-1 [SRC logo]Side A runout, variant 2
STA-45222-12 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-11738-12 SLM△ 5040-X 1-1 0-1 SM 1-1Side B runout, variant 2
STA-45221-12 R-11737-12 SLM Δ5040 1-1Etched Side A
STA-45222-12 R-11738-12 SLM Δ 5040-X 1-1Etched Side B
[the Allied Record Company logo]Stamped Both Sides
ST-A-45221-ARLabel Side A
STA-45221-10 1-1 [SRC logo]A-side runout
STA-45221-10 1-1 [SRC logo]B-side runout
ST-A-45221-SPboth sides of label
ST-A-45221-ARLabels
ST-A-45221-SPLabel SIde A & 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Atlantic 7-89786First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Atlantic 78 97867First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Atlantic 78 97867First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | France | Atlantic 78.9786-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Atlantic 789786First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Philippines | Atlantic ATR-0258First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Atlantic 78-9786-7 / Atlantic 78.9786-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | South Africa | Atlantic ATS 1044First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Atlantic A 9728First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Atlantic A 9728First year7" | 7" |
| 1983 | UK | Atlantic A9728 / Atlantic 789728-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Atlantic A9728 / Atlantic 789728-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Atlantic 7-89786First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Atlantic PR 525First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Atlantic 7-89786First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
24 vinyl pressings of Spice Of Life are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is Atlantic 7-89786.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-89786, PR 525, A 9728, A9728) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STA-45221-9 1 [SRC logo] and STA-45222-12 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-11738-12 SLM△ 5040-X I - I 0 - 1 SM I - I. 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.
