Vinyl pressings
by The O'Jays · 1976
Message In Our Music was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 9 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.
F/W^^^ TI T AD-ZS8-3601-3Runout, side A, etched
F/W^^^ T AC-ZS8-3601-4Runout, side B, etched
AA-AF ZS8 3601-3Label Side A
AA-AF ZS8 3601-4Label Side B
AE-ZS8-3601-3 F/W NM S1Side A Runout, etched
AE-ZS8-3601-4 F/W NM SSSSide B Runout, etched
AA-AF ZS8 3601-3Side A Label
AA-AF ZS8 3601-4Side B Label
AB-ZS8-3601-3 F/W ΔM pSide A etched runout
p AA-ZS8-3601-4 F/W ΔMSide B etched runout
AA-AF ZS8 3601-3Side A label
AA-AF ZS8 3601-4Side B label
T AE-ZS8-3601-1 F/W^^^A/ Runout etched
T AC-ZS8-3601-3 F/W^^^B/ Runout etched
AA-AF ZS8 3601-1A/ Label (Mono)
AA-AF ZS8 3601-3B/ Label (Stereo)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia ZS8 3601First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Greece | Epic PIR 4598First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Jamaica | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3601First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Japan | Philadelphia International Records 06SP 111First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Philadelphia International Records PIR 4598First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Epic BA 461707First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Spain | Philadelphia International Records PIR 4598First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 4598First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 4598First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 4598First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3601First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3601First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3601First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 4598First year7" | 7" |
| 1976 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 4598First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
16 vinyl pressings of Message In Our Music are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Canada, Greece and more. One of them is Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3601.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS8 3601, S PIR 4598, PIR 4598, 06SP 111) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, F/W^^^ TI T AD-ZS8-3601-3 and F/W^^^ T AC-ZS8-3601-4. 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.
