Vinyl pressings
by Bar-Kays · 1981
Nightcruising was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 5 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.
SRM-1-4028-AS-PRC-C7-1-11(var. 1) side A runout etched
SRM-1-4028-BS-PRC-C7-1(var. 1) side B runout etched
SRM-1-4028-AS-PRC-R-2-1-11 d(var. 2) side A runout etched
SRM-1-4028-BS-PRC-R1 2-1-11 &(var. 2) side B runout etched
SPM-1-4028-AS-HRM1 B-2 ⟷Variant 1 Side A etched, exc. ⟷ stamped
SPM-1-4028-BS-HRM1 B-2 ⟷Variant 1 Side B etched, exc. ⟷ stamped
SRM-1-4028-AS-HRM1 B-1 ⟷Variant 2 Side A
SPM-1-4028-BS-HRM1 A-1 ⟷Variant 2 Side B
SRM-1-4028-AS-PRC-R-2-1-11Side 1
SRM-1-4028-BS-PRC-R1̶ 2-1-11Side 2
SRM-1-4028-AS-PRC-C7-1-11Runout A, variant 1
SRM-1-4028-BS-PRC-C7-1Runout B, variant 1
SRM-1-4028-AS-PRC-R-2-1-11 dRunout A, variant 2
SRM-1-4028-BS-PRC-R1 2-1-11 &Runout B, variant 2
(var. 1) SRM-1-4028-AS-PRC-C7-1-11Run-out A
(var. 1)SRM-1-4028-BS-PRC-C7-1Run-out B
SRM-1-4028-AS-PRC-R-2-1-11 d(var. 2) side A runout etched
SRM-1-4028-BS-PRC-R1 2-1-11 &(var. 2) side B runout etched
SRM-1-4028-AS-PW (PR)PRun-out A
SRM-1-4028-BS-PW (PR)PRun-out B
6337 198Label A
6337 198Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Unknown | Mercury STAR 5229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | Mercury 6337 198First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-42First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Mercury 6337 198First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Mercury 6337 198First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Philippines | Mercury 6337 198First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Mercury SRM-1-4028First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Mercury 6337 198 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Mercury SRM-1-4028First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Mercury SRM-1-4028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Mercury SRM-1-4028First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Mercury SRM-1-4028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | Mercury 6337 198LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Nightcruising are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Brazil, Japan, Netherlands and more. One of them is Mercury SRM-1-4028, released October 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRM-1-4028, 6337 198 2, STAR 5229, 6337 198) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRM-1-4028-AS-PRC-C7-1-11 and SRM-1-4028-BS-PRC-C7-1. 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.
