Vinyl pressings
by G.L.O.B.E. & Whiz Kid · 1983
Play That Beat Mr. D.J. 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.
15 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
TB-836-A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK *PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS,* N.J. Herbie Jr :>) "Fresh Scratching"A-side runout
TB-836-B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK *PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS,* N.J. Herbie Jr :>) Angie "It's Really Fresh Scratching"B-side runout
TB 836 AA-side label
TB 836 BB-side label
TB-836-A HERbiE JR :v) "FRESh ScRATchiNg"Etchings side A
TB-836-B HERbiE JR :v) ANgiE "IT's REALLy FREsh ScRATchiNg"Etchings side B
TB 836 ACentre label side A
TB 836 BCentre label side B
TB-836-A HERbiE JR :v) "FRESh ScRATchiNg" EXP S-11069Etchings side A
TB-836-B HERbiE JR :v) ANgiE "IT's REALLy FREsh ScRATchiNg" EXP S-11070Etchings side B
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK *PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS,* N.J.Both Sides Runout Stamp
TB 836 ACentre label side A
TB-836-7-# MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr☺Side A Runout
TB-836-7-B MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr☺Side B Runout
TB 836-7ASide A Label
TB 836-7BSide B Label
TB-836-A S-11069A Side Runout
TB-836-B S-11070B Side Runout
TB 836 AA Side Label
TB 836 BB Side Label
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 | Germany | ZYX Records 5070First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | ZYX Records 1062First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Netherlands | 21 Records 21.19 / 21 Records 2.119First year12", EP, 45 RPM | 12", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Netherlands | 21 Records 21.019First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Netherlands | 21 Records 21.19First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Spain | Nuevos Medios 91-060 / Tommy Boy 91-060First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1983 | Sweden | Finger Print Records Fing M 401 / Finger Print Records FING M 401First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1983 | Sweden | Finger Print Records Fing S 501First year7", 45 RPM, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Misprint |
| 1983 | US | Tommy Boy TB 836First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1983 | US | Tommy Boy TB 836First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Tommy Boy TB 836-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | US | Tommy Boy TB 836First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1983 | US | Tommy Boy TB 83612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | US | Tommy Boy TB 836-7First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Tommy Boy TB 836First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Tommy Boy TB 83612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress |
| ? | US | Tommy Boy TB 83612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Tommy Boy TB 83612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
24 vinyl pressings of Play That Beat Mr. D.J. are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Germany, Netherlands, Spain and more. One of them is Tommy Boy TB 836.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TB 836, TB 836-7, 5070, 1062) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TB-836-A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK *PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS,* N.J. Herbie Jr :>) "Fresh Scratching" and TB-836-B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK *PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS,* N.J. Herbie Jr :>) Angie "It's Really Fresh Scratching". 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.
