Vinyl pressings
by Albert King · 1976
Albert was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 4 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.
BUL1-1731A-1 J.G. I AIGSide A runout, variant 1
BUL1-1731B-1 J.G. I ˄˄ DSide B runout, variant 1
BUL1-1731A-1 J.G I A˄DSide A runout, variant 2
BUL1-1731A-1 J.G I A˄HSide B runout, variant 2
850 BUL1 1731*A*1Side A runout
850 BUL1 1731*B*1Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Utopia BUL1-1731First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Utopia RVP-6158First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Spain | Utopia BUL1-1731First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Utopia BUL1-1731First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Victor VIP-6517LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Victor VIP-6517LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | US | Tomato TOM 6004LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | US | Tomato TOM 6004LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Portugal | Charly R&B CRB 1173LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | UK | Charly R&B CRB 1173LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | Germany | Tomato 2696251LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Tomato TOM 6004LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Albert are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1976 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Canada, Japan, Spain. One of them is Utopia BUL1-1731.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUL1-1731, RVP-6158) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUL1-1731A-1 J.G. I AIG and BUL1-1731B-1 J.G. I ˄˄ D. 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.
