Vinyl pressings
by The O'Jays · 1975
I Love Music was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1975, 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.
P.I.R. AA-ZS8-3577-3 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA NSSide A, variant 1
P.I.R. AA-ZS8-3577-4 F/W NSSide B, variant 1
T P.I.R. AE-ZS8-3577-3 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA NSSide A, variant 2
TI T P.I.R. AE-ZS8-3577-4 F/W NS.Side B, variant 2
p P.I.R. AA-ZS8-3577-3 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NSA-Side Runout Etching
p P.I.R. AA-ZS8-3577-4 F/W NSB-Side Runout Etching
AA-AF ZS8 3577-3A-Side Label
AA-AF ZS8 3577-4B-Side Label
P.I.R. AG-ZS8-3577-3 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA NS SIISide A Runout
P.I.R. AG-ZS8-3577-4 F/W NS SISide B Runout
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILASide A, stamped
ZS8 3577-1Mono label
ZS8 3577-3Stereo label
p P.I.R. AA-ASZ-168-1-RE F/W NS 1A-Side Runout Etching
p P.I.R. AA-Z̶ ASZ-168-3 F/W NS 1B-Side Runout Etching
ASZ 168-1 (lv)A-Side Label
ASZ 168-3 (lv)B-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Philadelphia International Records PS 1001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | Columbia ZS8 3577 / Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3577First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Costa Rica | CBS 11373First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | France | Philadelphia International Records PIR 3839First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Germany | Philadelphia International Records PIR S 3839 / Philadelphia International Records PIR 3839First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | Philadelphia International Records PIR S 3839First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Jamaica | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3577First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Japan | Philadelphia International Records ECPB-356-PHFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Philadelphia International Records PIR 3839First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Peru | CBS CSR 0947First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Spain | Philadelphia International Records PIR 3839First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1975 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3577First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1975 | US | Philadelphia International Records ASZ 168First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Philadelphia International Records ASZ 168First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1975 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3577First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 88697", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | Philadelphia International Records PIR - 101012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | Old Gold OG 97287", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | UK | Philadelphia International Records PIR-1010 AB12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Philadelphia International Records ECPB-356-PH7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
28 vinyl pressings of I Love Music are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1975 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica and more. One of them is Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3577, released October 3, 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS8 3577, ASZ 168, PS 1001, 11373) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P.I.R. AA-ZS8-3577-3 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA NS and P.I.R. AA-ZS8-3577-4 F/W NS. 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.
