Vinyl pressings
by B.B. King · 1983
Blues 'N' Jazz was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 7 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.
MCA-3364-MD-2 ▣-G-▣ MASTERDISK BKSide A runout, variant 1
MCA-3365-MD-1 ▣-G-▣Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-3364-MD-1 MASTERDISK BK 3 ▣-G-▣Side A runout, variant 2
MCA-3365-MD-2 MASTERDISK BK ▣-G-▣Side B runout, variant 2
MCA-3364-MD-4 MASTERDISK GK ◈-P-◈Side A runout
MCA-3365-MD-3 MASTERDISK GK ◈-P-◈Side B runout
MCA-3364-MD-2 MASTERDISK BK ◈-G-◈Runout side A
MCA-3365-MD-4 MASTERDISK BK ◈-P-◈Runout side B
MCA 3364Label side A
MCA 3365Label side B
MCA-3364-MD-4 MASTERDISK BK ◈-P-◈Runout side A, variant 1
MCA-3365-MD-4 MASTERDISK BK ◈-P-◈Runout side B, variant 1
MCA-3364-MD-3 MASTERDISK BK ◈-P-◈Runout side A, variant 2
MCA-3365-MD-4 MASTERDISK BK ◈-P-◈Runout side B, variant 2
MCF-3170-A1Side A runout, variant 1
MCF-3170-B1Side B runout, variant 1
MCF-3170-A1 ASide A runout, variant 2
MCF-3170-B1 BILBO TAPE OneSide B runout, variant 2
MCA-3364-MD-1 MASTERDISK-BK 2Side A runout, variant 1
MCA-3365-MD-1 MCA-5413 - B 2Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-5413-A MCA-3364-MD-1 MASTERDISK-BK CR ⧈-G-⧈ 2Side A runout, variant 2
MCA-3365-MD-1 MCA-5413 - B ② ⧈-G-⧈ 2 CRSide B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5413First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4185First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6309First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6309First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Portugal | MCA Records MCA 5413First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | MCA Records I-205559 / MCA Records I-205.559First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3170First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-5413First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-5413First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-5413 / MCA Records MCA-27119First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-5413First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Argentina | MCA Records SUP 80.260LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | MCA Records MCL 1836LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of Blues 'N' Jazz are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1983 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Canada, Italy and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5413.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5413, MCF 3170, MCA 4185, VIM-6309) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-3364-MD-2 ▣-G-▣ MASTERDISK BK and MCA-3365-MD-1 ▣-G-▣. 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.
