US
October 1962- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BST 84097
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
BNST 84097-ALabel, side A
BNST 84097-BLabel, side B
Vinyl pressings
The African Beat
by Art Blakey & The Afro-Drum Ensemble · 1962
25 pressings5 countriesAfro-Cuban JazzJazz
The African Beat was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of The African Beat
6 pressings came out in 1962, the album's first year. 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.
US
October 1962- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BLP 4097
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
- Runout / matrix
BN-LP-4097·A VAN GELDERSide A runout
BN-LP- B̸L̸P̸-̸1̸ -1 BNLP · 4097B-1 P VAN GELDERSide B runout
BN-LP 4097-ASide A label
BN-LP 4097-BSide B label
US
October 1962- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BLP 4097
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono · Deep groove side 1
- Runout / matrix
"P" BN-LP-4097-A •Side A runout
"P" BN-LP- B̸L̸P̸-̸1̸ -1 BNLP • 4097B-1 - VAN GELDERSide B runout
BN-LP 4097-ASide A label
BN-LP 4097-BSide B label
US
October 1962- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BLP 4097
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono · Deep groove both sides
- Runout / matrix
BN-LP-4097·A VAN GELDERSide A runout
BN-LP- B̸L̸P̸-̸1̸ -1 BNLP · 4097B-1 P VAN GELDERSide B runout
BN-LP 4097-ASide A label
BN-LP 4097-BSide B label
US
October 1962- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BLP 4097
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono · Deep groove side 1, "VAN GELDER" both sides.
- Runout / matrix
"P" BN-LP-4097-A • VAN GELDERSide A runout
"P" BN-LP- B̸L̸P̸-̸1̸ -1 BNLP • 4097B-1 - VAN GELDERSide B runout
BN-LP 4097-ASide A label
BN-LP 4097-BSide B label
US
1962- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note 84097Blue Note ST-84097
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Non-Deep Groove
- Runout / matrix
BNST-84097·A STEREO P VAN GELDERSide A runout
BNST-84097·B STEREO VAN GELDER PSide B runout
BNST 84097-ASide A label
BNST 84097-BSide B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 25 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s9 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | US | Blue Note 84097 / Blue Note ST-84097First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Blue Note BST 84097First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Blue Note BLP 4097First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Blue Note BLP 4097First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Blue Note BLP 4097First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Blue Note BLP 4097First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Blue Note BST 84097 / Blue Note BLP-4097 / 84097LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Blue Note BLP 4097LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Blue Note BST 84097LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
1970s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | US | Blue Note BST-84097 / Blue Note BLP-4097 / 84097LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Blue Note BST 84097 / Blue Note BLP-4097 / 84097LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Blue Note 5C 038-60084LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
1990s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Japan | Blue Note BN 4097 / Blue Note BST 84097LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Year unknown12 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Blue Note BST 84097-ULP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Blue Note BST 84097 K / Blue Note BLP-4097 / 84097LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Blue Note BST 84097 K / Blue Note BLP-4097 / 84097LP, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Reissue |
| ? | US | Blue Note BST-84097LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Blue Note 84097 / Blue Note BST 84097LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Blue Note BLP 4097/84097LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Blue Note BST 84097 / Blue Note 4097LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Blue Note BLP 4097LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Blue Note BLP 4097LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Blue Note BST 84097 / Blue Note 4097LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Blue Note BST-84097LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Blue Note BST 84097 / Blue Note 4097LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1Prayer By Solomon G. Ilori
- A2Ife L'Ayo (There Is Happiness In Love)
- A3Obirin African (Woman Of Africa)
- A4Love, The Mystery Of
- B1Ero Ti Nr'ojeje
- B2Ayiko Ayiko (Welcome, Welcome, My Darling)
- B3Tobi Ilu
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The African Beat are there?
25 vinyl pressings of The African Beat are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1962 and 1991.
When was The African Beat first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US. One of them is Blue Note BST 84097, released October 1962.
How do I tell if my copy of The African Beat is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BST 84097, BLP 4097, 84097) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BNST 84097-A and BNST 84097-B. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The African Beat on vinyl worth?
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.