Vinyl pressings
by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force · 1983
Looking For The Perfect Beat was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 8 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.
T.B.-831-A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK TC SMKSide A etching
TB-831-B *PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS N.J.*Side B etching
TB-831ASide A label
TB-831BSide B label
TB-831-A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE JR :v) S-10201A side runout
TB-831-B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE JR :v) S-10202B side runout
TB-831-A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE JR :v) S-10201A side runout
TB-831-B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE JR :v) S-10202B side runout
T.B.-831-A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK TC SMKSide A runout
TB-831-B *PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS N.J.*Side B runout
TB-831ASide A label
TB-831BSide B label
SterlingBoth Runouts
TB-831-7AA
TB-831-7BB
TB-831-7ALabel Side A
TB-831-7BLabel Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Brazil | 21 Records 810707-78 / Ariola 810707-78First year7" | 7" |
| 1983 | France | 21 Records 810 569-1 / Polydor 810 569-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Germany | Tommy Boy 0930.112First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Germany | Metronome 0030.620First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Metronome 0930.112First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Italy | Polydor 810 704-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Italy | 21 Records 810 569-1 / Polydor 810 569-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Netherlands | 21 Records 2.115First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Netherlands | 21 Records 21.015First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Netherlands | 21 Records 2.115First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Spain | 21 Records 810 569-1 / Polydor 810 569-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Spain | 21 Records 810 704-7 / Polydor 810 704-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | 21 Records POSPX 561First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | 21 Records POSP 561First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | US | Tommy Boy TB-831First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | US | Tommy Boy tb 33012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1998 | US | Tommy Boy tb 33012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited |
| 1998 | US | Tommy Boy TB33012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | UK | Tommy Boy 8122-74776-1 / Rhino Records 8122-74776-112", Reissue | 12", Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Tommy Boy TB-83112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress |
| ? | US | Tommy Boy TB-83112", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| ? | US | Tommy Boy TB-83112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Tommy Boy TB-83112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress |
33 vinyl pressings of Looking For The Perfect Beat are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1983 and 2006.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Brazil, France and more. One of them is Tommy Boy TB-831.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TB-831, TB-831-7, POSPX 561, POSP 561) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T.B.-831-A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK TC SMK and TB-831-B *PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS N.J.*. 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.
