Vinyl pressings
by Janet Jackson · 1986
Control was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
51 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 30 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.
AMA 5106 A // 2 ▽ 420 T JASide A Runout, variant 1
AMA 5106 B // 1 ▽ 420 T 1 5 1 2 JASide B Runout, variant 1
AMA 5106 A // 2 ▽ 420 T 13 10 JASide A Runout, variant 2
AMA 5106 B // 1 ▽ 420 T 1 1 2 2 JASide B Runout, variant 2
SP-05106-A ES4 ❀Side A runout, variant 1
SPO-5106-B ES6 [seagulls] ƐMWSide B runout, variant 1
SP-05106-A ES1 ❀ ƐMWSide A runout, variant 2
SPO-5106-B ES1 ❀Side B runout, variant 2
SPO-5106-A M1 ❀ ELA-∆271258Runout Side A Etched
SPO-5106-B M1 ❀ ELA-∆27258XRunout Side B Etched
SP-05106-ASide A Label
SP-05106-BSide B Label
SPO-5106-A RCA 2 ❀ ISide A runout, variant 1
A1 E SPO-5106-B RCA 1 ❀ ISide B runout, variant 1
SPO-5106-A RCA 2 ❀ I A 2 BSide A runout, variant 2
A1 E SPO-5106-B RCA 1 ❀ I A 1 BSide B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | A&M Records 20.737First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Argentina | A&M Records 395 106-1 / A&M Records 27325First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Argentina | A&M Records 20.737First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australia | A&M Records L 38577First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | A&M Records RML 53222 / Festival Records RML 53222LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | A&M RecordsFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Barbados | A&M Records SP-5106First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Barbados | A&M Records SP-5106First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | A&M Records 170104First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | A&M Records 395 106-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | A&M Records 395 106-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5106First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5106First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records SPC-5106LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5106First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | US | A&M Records B0029661-01 / UMe B0029661-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | Europe | A&M Records 00602577378485 / UMe 00602577378485LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | Europe | A&M Records 00602577378485 / UMe 00602577378485LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | US | A&M Records B0029661-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | US | A&M Records B0029661-01LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-5106LP, Album | LP, Album |
72 vinyl pressings of Control are listed here, from 32 countries, released between 1986 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is A&M Records AMA 5106.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMA 5106, SP-5106, AMP-28145, C28Y3021) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMA 5106 A // 2 ▽ 420 T JA and AMA 5106 B // 1 ▽ 420 T 1 5 1 2 JA. 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.
