Vinyl pressings
by Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony · 1974
Love Is The Answer was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. 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 1974, 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.
AV 69-2 A-1 MASTERDISK G. KONG SSide A etched exc. MASTERDISK
AV 69-2 B-1 MASTERDISK G. KONG SSide B etched exc. MASTERDISK
AV69-2-ASide A label
AV69-2-BSide B label
AV-69-2 A-3 [MR] G.KONG MASTERDISK ∆ 19162(2)Runout A
AV-69-2 B-3 [MR] G.KONG MASTERDISK ∆ 19162-X(1)Runout B
AV69-2-ALabel A
AV69-2-BLabel B
AV69-2-ASide 1 Runout
AV69-2-BSide 2 Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Avco L 25170First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Avco AV-69002-698First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Avco AV-69002 / Avco AV 69002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Avco AV-69002 / Avco AV 69002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Avco 88 390 XOT / Avco 88 390 ITFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Avco 88 390 ITFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Jamaica | Avco AV-69002-698First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Avco SWX-6145First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Avco L-35710First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Singapore | Avco AV-69002-698First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | South Africa | Avco AV-69002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Avco AV-69002-698First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Avco AV-69002-698First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Avco AV-69002-698First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Avco AV-69002-698First yearLP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | H & L Records L-35,911 / H & L Records L 35911LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | Birchmount BM 822LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
23 vinyl pressings of Love Is The Answer are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1974 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Avco AV-69002-698.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AV-69002-698, L 25170, AV-69002, 88 390 XOT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AV 69-2 A-1 MASTERDISK G. KONG S and AV 69-2 B-1 MASTERDISK G. KONG S. 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.
