Vinyl pressings
by The Manhattan Transfer · 1985
Vocalese was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 13 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.
D R/S Alsdorf 781266-1 A2X [SRC logo] STA-855717-E SP-GERRunout side A, variant 1
xUKx R/S Alsdorf 781266-1 B xx [SRC logo] STA-855718-E SP-GERRunout side B, variant 1
D R/S Alsdorf 781266-1 A 2 5 [SRC logo] STA-855717-E 26 SP-GERRunout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 781266-1 B 4 [SRC logo] STA-855718-E SP-GER - 27Runout side B, variant 2
STA-855717-P [SRC logo]Side A, runout [variant 1]
STA-855718-E [SRC logo]Side B, runout [variant 1]
STA-855717-H 1-1 [SRC logo]Side A, runout [variant 2]
STA-855717-▓ F 1-1 [SRC logo]Side B, runout [variant 2]
STA-855717-E SPAR B-21561-E ∆10109 0- 1-2Side A Etched; variant 1
STA-855718--F SPAR B-21562-F ∆10109-X 0- 1-2Side B Etched; variant 1
STA-855717-E SPAR B-21561-E ∆10109 0- 1-2Side A Etched; variant 2
STA-855718- ̷1̷F̷ E SPAR B-21562-E ∆10109-X 0- 1-2Side B Etched; variant 2
D R/S Alsdorf 781266-1 A2X [SRC logo] STA-855717-E SP-GERRunout side A, variant 1
xUKx R/S Alsdorf 781266-1 B xx [SRC logo] STA-855718-E SP-GERRunout side B, variant 1
D R/S Alsdorf 781266-1 A 2 5 [SRC logo] STA-855717-E 26 SP-GERRunout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 781266-1 B 4 [SRC logo] STA-855718-E SP-GER - 27Runout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | Atlantic 83951First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Australia | Atlantic 81266-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | Atlantic 604.7154First yearLP | LP |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 78 12661First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Atlantic 781 266-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Israel | Atlantic BAN 781266-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | Atlantic 78 1266-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | Atlantic P-13167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Atlantic P-13167First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Mexico | WEA LWA 6456 / Atlantic LWA 6456First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Atlantic 81266-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Philippines | Atlantic 81266-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Spain | Atlantic L 781266-1 / Atlantic 81266-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Atlantic 81266-1 / Atlantic 7 81266-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Atlantic A1-81266 / Atlantic A1 81266LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | US | Exhibit Records eXLP1-44063LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Atlantic 781 266-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50138LP, Album | LP, Album |
19 vinyl pressings of Vocalese are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1985 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Europe, US, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Atlantic 781 266-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 781 266-1, 81266-1, 83951, 604.7154) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, D R/S Alsdorf 781266-1 A2X [SRC logo] STA-855717-E SP-GER and xUKx R/S Alsdorf 781266-1 B xx [SRC logo] STA-855718-E SP-GER. 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.
