Vinyl pressings
by Ahmad Jamal · 1959
The Piano Scene Of Ahmad Jamal was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1959, the album's first year, in 2 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.
XEM47976-1CARunout side A, variant 1
XEM47977-1AGRunout side B, variant 1
XEM47976-1BKRunout side A, variant 2
XEM47977-1AGRunout side B, variant 2
XEM47976-1BF T ∴ B IIISide A runout, variant 1
XEM47977-1BJ B llllSide B runout, variant 1
XEM47976-1ALSide A runout, variant 2
XEM47977-1AHSide B runout, variant 2
XEM47976-1AE TA |||||||||Side A runout, variant 1
XEM47977-1BJ A ||Side B runout, variant 1
XEM47976-1AE TA ||||||Side A runout, variant 2
XEM47977-1BB D ||Side B runout, variant 2
XEM47976-1AE TA 1111Side A runout
XEM47977-1BB C11Side B runout
XEM47976-1J HISide A stamped & etched
XEM47977-1B HIISide B stamped & etched
XEM47976Side A label
XEM47977Side B label
XEM47976-1BL p IIIIISide A runout stamped
XEM47977-1BJ p IIIIVSide B runout stamped
XEM47976Side A label
XEM47977Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Canada | Epic LN 3631First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Epic LN 3631First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Epic LN 3631First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Epic LN 3631First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Epic LN 3631First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Epic LN 3631First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1959 | US | Epic LN 3631First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Epic LN 3631First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Netherlands | Portrait 465465 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | US | Portrait RJ 44394LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | UK | Speakers Corner Records LN 3631LP, Album, Mono, Reissue · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Reissue · Mono |
| 2014 | UK | Speakers Corner Records LN 3631LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Mono · Test pressing, Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Mono · Test pressing, Mono |
| 2019 | Europe | MatchBall records 29020LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Epic BN 634LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of The Piano Scene Of Ahmad Jamal are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1959 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in US, Canada. One of them is Epic LN 3631, released October 1959.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LN 3631) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XEM47976-1CA and XEM47977-1AG. 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.
