Vinyl pressings
by George Fenton · 1987
Cry Freedom was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
MCG 6029 A / 2 ▽420 TRunout side-A, variant 1
MCG 6029 B / 2 ▽420 TRunout side-B, variant 1
MCG 6029 A // 2 ▽420 T 11 JA 3Runout side-A, variant 2
MCG 6029 B // 2 ▽420 T 11 2Runout side-B, variant 2
^ MX 300359 6224-1 S1Side A
^ MX 300360 6224-1 S2
R/S Alsdorf 255245-1-A H 13Runout side A
R/S Alsdorf 255245-1-B H 16Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | MCA Records 6224-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-6224First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | MCA Records 255 245-1 / MCA Records MCA-6224First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | South Africa | MCA Records LMCA 6224First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | MCA Records 255245-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | MCA Records 255245-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | MCA Records MCG 6029First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records MCA-6224First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | MCA Records 670.8017 / MCA Records 229255245-1/4LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Japan | MCA Records P-13621LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Japan | MCA Records P-13621LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of Cry Freedom are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCG 6029.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCG 6029, MCA-6224, 6224-1, 255 245-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCG 6029 A / 2 ▽420 T and MCG 6029 B / 2 ▽420 T. 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.
