Vinyl pressings
by James Brown & The Famous Flames · 1966
James Brown's Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 2 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.
623017 A Made in Germany 1 ℗ 1964 G6◇ V CRunout side A, variant 1
623017 B Made in Germany 1 ℗ 1964 G6◇ V CRunout side B, variant 1
623017 A Made in Germany 1 ℗ 1964 G6 ◇V FRunout side A, variant 2
623017 B Made in Germany 1 ℗ 1964 G6 ◇V FRunout side B, variant 2
"Made in Germany"Stamped both sides
Ⓟ 1964 G6 ◊V 623 017 A
Ⓟ 1964 G6 ◊V 623 017 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Germany | International Polydor Production 623 017 / Polydor 623 017First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | Germany | International Polydor Production 623 017First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1966 | Turkey | Polydor 623 017First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1968 | Mexico | Polydor 220093LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Polydor 2310 015LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Australia | Polydor 2310 015LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Brazil | Polydor 624.045 / Polydor LPG 624.045LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2310 015 / King Records 2310 015LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1970 | Italy | Polydor 2310 015LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2310 015LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Japan | Polydor MP 2317LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Polydor 236 215LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Polydor 236 215LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Polydor 236 215 / Polydor 1236 215LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Belgium | Polydor 2343 039LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Belgium | Polydor 2343 039 / King Records 2343 039LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Belgium | Polydor 2343 039 / King Records 2343 039LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Belgium | Polydor 2343039LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Belgium | Polydor 2343 039LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | France | Polydor 2483 123LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Polydor SMP 1448LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Polydor 2343 039LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Spain | Polydor 23 10 015LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
23 vinyl pressings of James Brown's Greatest Hits are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1966 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in Germany, Turkey. One of them is International Polydor Production 623 017.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 623 017) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 623017 A Made in Germany 1 ℗ 1964 G6◇ V C and 623017 B Made in Germany 1 ℗ 1964 G6◇ V C. 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.
