Vinyl pressings
by Ahmad Jamal · 1961
Ahmad Jamal's Alhambra was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 3 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.
LPS 685 S-1 11148 M08Y-1169-1D Ø I A1Variant 1 Runout A
LPS 685 S-2 11149 M08Y-1170-1D Ø I CVVariant 1 Runout B
M08Y-1169-1F A1Variant 2 Runout A
LPS 685 S-2 11149 M08Y-1170-1D D1 + (symbol circle+line at 45 degrees)Variant 2 Runout B
MO-8P 1167-1BA-Side runout, Stamped
MO-8P 1168-1BB-Side runout, Stamped
U-11148A-Side Label
MO8P-1167A-Side Label
LP-685 11148 S-1 0runout A, etched
LP-685 11149 S-2 0runout B, etched
U-11148Side A Label
U-11149Side B Label
Δ 3717X LP-685 11148 S-1A-Side runout, etched
Δ 3717X LP-685 11149 S-2B-Side runout, etched
® φrunout stamped, both sides
U-11148A-Side Label
LPS-685 S-1 11148 A1 M08Y-1169-1D Q ISide A
LPS-685 S-2 11149 M08Y-1170-1D Q A4 ISide B
U-11148Side A Label
MO8Y-1169Side A Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Canada | Chess LP 685First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Canada | Argo LP 685First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | UK | Pye Jazz NJL 38First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1961 | US | Argo LPS-685First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | Argo LP-685First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Argo LP-685First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Argo DJLP-685First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1961 | US | Argo LPS-685First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Argo LP-685First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Argo LPS-685 / Argo LP-685First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | UK | Marble Arch MAL 752LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | France | Cadet 515019LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Spain | Chess JS-074 / CFE JS-074LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | US | Alto Analogue AA005LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 1997 | US | Alto Analogue AA005LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Europe | WaxTime 771788LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Europe | WaxTime In Color 950736LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Argo LPS-685 / Chess International PAR 145LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Funckler MGAR 9213 / Argo U 11149LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | South Africa | Parlophone PMCJ 43LP | LP |
| ? | US | Cadet LPS 685LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Cadet LPS 685 / Cadet LPS-685LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Cadet LP 685 / Cadet LP-685LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
23 vinyl pressings of Ahmad Jamal's Alhambra are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1961 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Argo LPS-685.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LPS-685, LP-685, DJLP-685, NJL 38) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LPS 685 S-1 11148 M08Y-1169-1D Ø I A1 and LPS 685 S-2 11149 M08Y-1170-1D Ø I CV. 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.
