Vinyl pressings
by Abdul Hassan Orchestra · 1978
Arabian Affair / Desert Dance was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 12 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.
AA 6013 514 2W 1 ℗ 1978 670 06 1Runout side A, variant 1
AA 6013 514 1W 1 ℗ 1978 670 06 114Runout side B, variant 1
AA 6013 516 1W 2 ℗1978 670 1 11 06Runout side A, variant 2
AA 6013 514 2W 2 ℗1978 670 1 11 06Runout side B, variant 2
6013 514.1 WLabel A
6013 514.2 WLabel B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Austria | Mercury 6013 514First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Belgium | Mercury 6013 514First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Finland | Mercury 6013 514First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | France | Mercury 6173 670First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Germany | Mercury 6013 514First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Germany | Mercury 6013 514First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | Mercury 6013514 / Mercury 6013 514First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Mercury 6013 514First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Philippines | Mercury MER-24-656 / Mercury 6013 514First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Portugal | Mercury 6013 514First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Spain | Hispavox 45-1769 / Hispavox 45-1769 (SN)First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Turkey | Philips 6013 514First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | UK | Decca FR 13801First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Chile | Mercury 6013 5397", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of Arabian Affair / Desert Dance are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Netherlands, UK, Austria, Belgium and more. One of them is Mercury 6013 514.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6013 514, FR 13801, 6173 670, 6013514) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AA 6013 514 2W 1 ℗ 1978 670 06 1 and AA 6013 514 1W 1 ℗ 1978 670 06 114. 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.
