Vinyl pressings
by Jeff Lorber · 1982
It's A Fact was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. 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 1982, the album's first year, in 3 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.
AL 9583 SASide A
AL 9583 SBSide B
AL-9583 SA F2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP A-2<->Side A runout, etched/stamped
AL-9583 SB F2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP A-2 <->Side B runout, etched/stamped
AL-9583 SA F4 MR △25439 MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A runout, variant 1
AL-9583 SB F4 MR △25439 X MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B runout, variant 1
AL-9583 SA F4 I MR △25439 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KLSide A runout, variant 2
AL-9583 SB F4 MR △25439 X MASTERED BY CAPITOL KLSide B runout, variant 2
AL-9583 SA F3 MASTERED BY CAPITOL EMW KPA side runout
AL-9583 SB F3 MASTERED BY CAPITOL EMW KPB side runout
AL 9583 SASide A
AL 9583 SBSide B
T1 AL-9583 SA F5-T1 MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout Side A
T1 AL-9583 SB F5-T1 MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout Side B
1T AL-9583 SA F6-T2 ARunout Side 1 hand etched
T1 AL-9583 SB F6-T2 BRunout Side 2 hand etched
MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side 1 & 2 stamped
AL 9583 SASide A
AL 9583 SBSide B
AL-9583 SA F7 P AL-9573 SA F7 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPSide A runout
T1 AL-9583 SB F11 P MASTERED BY CAPITOL J . EUMAY ^Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Arista AL 9583 / Arista L 37854First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Arista 25RS-158First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Arista AL 9583First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Arista AL 9583LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | US | Arista AL 9583First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Arista AL 9583First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Arista AL 9583LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1982 | US | Arista AL 9583First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Arista AL 9583First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Arista AL 9583First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Arista AL 8-8128LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of It's A Fact are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, Australia, Japan. One of them is Arista AL 9583.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 9583, 25RS-158) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 9583 SA and AL 9583 SB. 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.
