Vinyl pressings
by Holly Johnson · 1989
Blast was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. 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 1989, the album's first year, in 11 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 6042 A - 1U - 1 - 2 JA ♥ TCAA side runout, variant 1
MCG 6042 B - 1U - 1 - 3B side runout, variant 1
MCG 6042 A - 1U - 1 - 1 JA ♥ JCAA side runout, stamped, [etched JA ♥ JCA], variant 2
MCG 6042 B - 1U - 1 - 1B side runout, stamped, variant 2
MCG 6042 A-1U-1-2 JA ♡TCASide A runout, stamped / etched
MCG 6042 B-1U-1-2Side B runout, stamped
UNI-7970-MD 4 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Etched side A, except MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈ stamped (variant 1)
UNI-7971-MD 4 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Etched side B, except MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈ stamped (variant 1)
UNI-7870-MD 3 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Etched side A, except MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈ stamped (variant 2)
UNI-7871-MD 3 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Etched side B, except MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈ stamped (variant 2)
R/S Alsdorf 256395-1-A H 1Runout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 256395-1-B X H 21Runout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 256395-1-A H 12Runout side A, variant 3
R/S Alsdorf 256395-1-B X H 2Runout side B, variant 3
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | MCA Records 6042-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Canada | UNI Records UNI-603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 256 395-1 / MCA Records MCG 6042First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 256 395-1 / MCA Records MCG 6042First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records MCA 06042 / MCA Records MCG 6042First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Greece | MCA Records 256 395-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Greece | MCA Records 256 395-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1989 | Hungary | Gong SLPXL 37304 / MCA Records SLPXL 37304First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Mexico | MCA Records LDXC-6853First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Norway | MCA Records 256 395-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | South Africa | MCA Records LMCA 6042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCG 6042 / MCA Records MCG 6042 ALFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Uni Records UNI-603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LP-7-1-F 2 02115 4 / MCA Records 256 395-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCG 6042 / MCA Records UNI 603First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | UK | Pleasuredome PLDV014LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
16 vinyl pressings of Blast are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1989 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCG 6042, released April 24, 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCG 6042, UNI-603, 6042-1, 256 395-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCG 6042 A - 1U - 1 - 2 JA ♥ TCA and MCG 6042 B - 1U - 1 - 3. 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.
