Vinyl pressings
by James Brown · 1981
The Best Of James Brown 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.
9 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.
PD-1-6340-AS-PRC-C-2-1 MASTERDISK HWSide A runout, variant 1
PD-1-6340-BS-PRC-C-1-1-11 MASTERDISKSide Brunout, variant 1
PD-1-6340-AS-PRC-C-1-1 MASTERDISK HWSide Arunout, variant 2
PD-1-6340-ASide A, label
PD-1-6340-AS-PW (PR) MASTERDISKSide A runout
PD-1-6340-BS-PW I (PR) MASTERDISKSide B runout
PD-1-6340-AS-PRC-C-1-1-2 MASTERDISK HWSide A runout
PD-1-6340-B-1 TRPA 7-84 MASTERDISKSide B runout
PD-1-6340-AS-PRC-C 1-1 MASTERDISK HW -2-Side A runout
PD-1-6340-BS-PRC-C-1-1-1 MASTERDISK -2-Side B runout
PD-1-6340-AS-PRC-C̶ 1-1-2 [MASTERDISK] HWSide A runout
PD-1-6340-B-1-1-1-1 TR Pa-7-84 PRC-R 250-201 614-211Side B runout
PD-1-6340-ASide A, label
PD-1-6340-BSide B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2391 529First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2482 579First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Portugal | Polydor 2391 529First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor 2391 529First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-1-6340 / Polydor 2391 529First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-1-6340 / Polydor 2391 529First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-1-6340First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-1-6340 / Polydor 2391 529First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | US | Polydor PD-1-6340 / Polydor 2391 529First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Spain | Polydor 2391 529LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
10 vinyl pressings of The Best Of James Brown are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, France, Netherlands and more. One of them is Polydor PD-1-6340.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD-1-6340, 2391 529, 2482 579) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PD-1-6340-AS-PRC-C-2-1 MASTERDISK HW and PD-1-6340-BS-PRC-C-1-1-11 MASTERDISK. 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.
