A&M RECORDS INTERNATIONAL LABELS
LABEL AND SLEEVE HISTORY
In today's age of compact discs and digital downloads, album and single labels and sleeves seem quaint and company packaging and identification have been reduced to fine print and tiny graphics.
In the vinyl age, the label started as the primary souce of information and the the record label logo and name were the central design elements on the generic single sleeve. Album liners might promote other recordings
or special offers from the company.
The labels placed on vinyl albums and 45s and the record company's generic sleeves and album liners are important for both serious and casual record collectors for a number of reasons.
Labels, liners and sleeves can contain information that helps collectors determine the release date, the edition of a record and its value on the market. For collectible records, the edition is
a major determinant of its value. When A&M reprinted its albums and singles after a change in its label design, the reprints always carried the latest label and are always less desirable than the
original printing. Let's look at the relevance of the labels, liners and sleeves.
45 Sleeves. Until the 1980s, picture sleeves were reserved for well-known, better-selling artists. This was because picture sleeves were more expensive to produce.
New artists or those signed only to record singles had their work issued in generic record company sleeves. The sleeve functioned to advertise the record company with its use of
a large company logo or memorable design.
45 Labels. The label advertised the single. The information on the label may be the only credit information that is available to the public. Beyond the title, songwriters,
the artist's name and record company logo, three important credits may be included: the producer, the arranger and the engineer. Each of them can be as collectible as the artist. Collectors may also
extend their interest to include the records that artists created when they filled the role of producer, arrangers or songwriter.
Because singles were usually printed only once, the record company logo variations can help identify the year of release. This is especially useful if there is no
copyright or print date on the label.
Album Labels. The design of the label on the vinyl helps identify an original album from a reprint. Collectors with a sharp eye will notice differences in
printing techniques, color variations, and even the company that pressed the recording because of the location of the raised vinyl ring under the label.
Album Liners. The record company's inner sleeves for albums often help to date the album in two ways. First, the sleeves may have been printed with
information about other recent releases. Second, some companies like A&M Records placed codes on their inner sleeves which helps determine the period for an
album release.
ARGENTINA
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AUSTRALIA
A double album compilation album by nine A&M Records artists.
Festival Records also used Japanese masters for its A&M releases. The GP-201 reference is Japan's Golden Prize album series.
Festival Records also used Japanese masters for its A&M releases. The GP-201 reference is Japan's Golden Prize album series.
Single from 1976.
Label from a 7-inch EP manufactured by Festival Records under license from A&M Records.
Label from a 7-inch EP manufactured by Festival Records under license from A&M Records. Rondor was A&M's international music publishing house.
A&M Records 7-inch sleeve
Label from a 7-inch single manufactured by Festival Records under license from A&M Records.
Label from a 7-inch single manufactured by Festival Records under license from A&M Records.
7-inch single label.
A Horizon Records single from 1978.
Single from 1983
Single from 1985.
Single from 1987.
7" single sleeve from 1987.
Festival Records manufactured and distributed A&M Records through A&M's years as an independent label.
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BRAZIL
Odeon manufactured A&M records products in the 1970s.
Columbia Records pressed A&M Records products in the 1980s. Shown is a label from 1981.
Single from 1978 pressed by EMI-Odeon.
Columbia Records pressed A&M Records products in the 1980s. Shown is a label from 1983.
Third label style used by Columbia Records.
Promotional album label from PolyGram DO Brasil in 1987.
12-inch single from 1982 pressed by Columbia Records "Masterworks".
7-inch single label from 1970 manufactured by Odeon Records.
7-inch single label from 1970 manufactured by Odeon Records.
A&M Records single sleeve.
A&M Records album liner manufactured by Odeon Records.
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COLOMBIA
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CZECHOSLOVAKIA
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FRANCE
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GERMANY
Deutsche Grammophon was the first manufacturer of A&M Records in Germany from about 1967-1969.
Ariola-Eurodisc was the second A&M Records distributor in Germany.
A 7-inch single manufactured by Deutsche Grammophon in 1969.
A 7-inch single manufactured by Deutsche Grammophon in 1969. Phil Spector did not produce this record.
A 7-inch single manufactured by Deutsche Grammophon in 1969.
7-inch single pressed by Ariola Eurodisc.
7-inch single pressed by Ariola Eurodisc. Shows the distribution arrangement with Sussex Records.
7-inch single pressed by Ariola Eurodisc. Shows the distribution arrangment with Ode Records.
7-inch single pressed by Ariola Eurodisc. Shows the distribution arrangment with Ode Records with an early logo.
7-inch single pressed by Ariola Eurodisc. Phil Spector logo on label.
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GREECE
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GUATEMALA
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HONG KONG
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ITALY
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JAPAN
King Record Co., Ltd. was the first to license, manufacture and distribute A&M in Japan. This compilation album is form 1968.
Stock album label from 1967 showing the CTi Records distribution.
Early promotional album label by King Record Co., Ltd. for Ode Records.
King Record Co., Ltd. pressing of an Ode Records album.
King created several compilation series of A&M artists. GEM had double albums, gatefold covers, lyric booklets, photos not used in the US and more.
Golden Prize was a special hits series from King of either single or double albums. This label is from 1973.
Golden Prize album with second label style. This label is from 1974. It mirrors changes made to label design in the U.S.
Custom label in the GP series by King Record Co., Ltd. from 1977.
In 1978, ALFA Records manufactured and distritued A&M Records in Japan. Label shows the U.S. stock number SP 4790.
Early custom label for A&M by ALFA Records. ALFA was part of Victor Music Industries, Inc.
Canyon Records manufactured and distributed A&M vinyl products with stock numbers that began with C, D, POC. This label is from 1987.
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MFSL) audiophile pressing of Supertramp's "Crime of the Century."
King Record Co., Ltd. 7-inch single.
King Record Co., Ltd. 7-inch extended play.
King Record Co., Ltd. 7-inch single from 1976.
7-inch single pressed by Pony Canyon Records.
7-inch promotional single from 1987.
Pony Canyon custom 7-inch single from 1987 from The Police Box series of singles.
A&M Records album liner featuring A&M and Horizon Records from 1978.
A&M Gold Series of greatest hit compilations by A&M Records artists.
A&M 7-inch sleeve from Japan (K 103) from King Records, Co., Ltd.
A&M 7-inch sleeve from Japan (K 103) from King Records, Co., Ltd.
A&M Records 7-inch sleeve from Japan.
A&M Records 7-inch sleeve from Japan.
A&M Records 7-inch sleeve from Japan.
A&M Records 7-inch Sleeve_B from Japan.
7-inch single pressed by Ariola Eurodisc. Shows the distribution arrangment with Ode Records.
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KOREA
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MEXICO
PolyGram manufactured and distributed album with both the Mexican stock number LPR 73041_Stock and international stock number 396 948 from 1987.
Album label from 1985 pressed by Columbia International.
7-inch four song EP from 1966.
Mexican 7-inch extended play from 1968.
Promotional 7-inch extended play from 1973.
Promotional single label from 1972.
A&M 12-inch single label pressed by Capitol of Mexico.
Single label from 1979 pressed by Columbia International.
7-inch single sleeve from 1993.
Album label from 1985 pressed by Columbia International.
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NETHERLANDS
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NEW ZEALAND
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PERU
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PHILIPPINES
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POLAND
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PORTUGAL
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SOUTH AFRICA
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SPAIN
Album label by Hispavox.
Album label by Ariola-Eurodisc from 1974.
Hispavox was an early manufacturer of A&M Records products in Spain.
Hispavox single for an Ode Records single.
Epic Records distributed A&M in Spain in the 1980s.
Promotional one-sided single (front label).
Promotional one-sided single (back label) Joe Jackson's "Memphis".
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VENEZUELA
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YUGOSLAVIA
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