Vinyl pressings
by Andrew Hill · 1968
Grass Roots was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
BNST·84303·A· 114 VAN GELDERA runout etched (except "VAN GELDER" stamped)
BNST·84303·B· 114 VAN GELDERB runout etched (except "VAN GELDER" stamped)
BNST 84303-AA label matrix
BNST 84303-BB label matrix
BNST.84303.A. VAN GELDERRunout, side A
BNST.84303.B. VAN GELDERRunout, side B
BNST·84303·A· VAN GELDERRunout, side A
BNST·84303·B· VAN GELDERRunout, side B
BNST 84303-ALabel, side A
BNST 84303-BLabel, side B
BNST.84303.A. VAN GELDERRunout, side A
BNST.84303.B. VAN GELDERRunout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Germany | Blue Note BST 84303First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Japan | Blue Note BST 84303First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | US | Blue Note BST 84303First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Blue Note BST 84303First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | US | Blue Note BST 84303First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Germany | Blue Note BST 84 303 KLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | US | Blue Note BST 84303LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | US | Blue Note BST 84303LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Worldwide | Blue Note 602455187697 / Blue Note BST 84303LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Blue Note BST 84303LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Grass Roots are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1968 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Germany, Japan. One of them is Blue Note BST 84303.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BST 84303) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BNST·84303·A· 114 VAN GELDER and BNST·84303·B· 114 VAN GELDER. 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.
