US
1969- Label and catalog number
- Verve Records V6-8770
- Format
- LP, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
V68770 Side1 MGS1904Runout sIde A, etched
V68770 Side2 MGS1905Runout side B, etched
MGS-1904Print on label A
MGS-1905Print on label B
Vinyl pressings
The Boss
by Jimmy Smith · 1969
22 pressings13 countriesHard BopBalladSwingJazz
The Boss was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of The Boss
15 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 10 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.
US
1969- Label and catalog number
- Verve Records V6-8770
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · MGM Pressing
- Runout / matrix
V6877 Side 1 MGS 1904Runout side A, variant 1
V6877 Side 2 MGS 1905Runout side B, variant 1
V6877 Side 1 MGS 1904 12Runout side A, variant 2
V6877 Side 2 MGS 1905 12Runout side B, variant 2
US
1969- Label and catalog number
- Verve Records V6-8770
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo
US
1969- Label and catalog number
- Verve Records V6-8770
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo · DJ Copy
- Runout / matrix
V68770 Side 1 MGS1904A-side (etched)
V68770 Side 2 MGS1905B-side (etched)
UK
1969- Label and catalog number
- Verve Records SVLP 9247
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
UK
1969- Label and catalog number
- Verve Records VLP 9247
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 22 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s16 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Canada | Verve Records V6-8770First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | France | Verve Records V6-8770First yearLP | LP |
| 1969 | France | Verve Records V6-8770 / Verve Records V6 8770First yearLP · Colored vinyl | LP · Colored vinyl |
| 1969 | Germany | Verve Records V6-8770 / Verve Records V 6 - 8770First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Germany | Verve Records V6-8770LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1969 | Italy | Verve Records SVL 52.020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Verve Records V6-8770First yearLP | LP |
| 1969 | Nigeria | Verve Records V6-8770 / Polydor V6-8770First yearLP | LP |
| 1969 | Scandinavia | Verve Records V6-8770First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1969 | Spain | Verve Records V6-8770First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Verve Records SVLP 9247First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Verve Records VLP 9247First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | US | Verve Records V6-8770First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Verve Records V6-8770First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Verve Records V6-8770First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
1970s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Chile | Verve Records 2352 013LP | LP |
| 1978 | UK | Verve Records 2317 018LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue |
| 1978 | US | Verve Records 2317 018LP | LP |
1980s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Japan | Verve Records 23MJ 3398LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Verve Records V6-8770LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Verve Records SW-93095 / Verve Records V6-8770LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
Tracklist
- A1Some Of My Best Friends Are Blues7:52
- A2The Boss8:50
- A3This Guy's In Love With You5:50
- B1Fingers10:29
- B2Tuxedo Junction9:25
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Boss are there?
22 vinyl pressings of The Boss are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1969 and 1984.
When was The Boss first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Verve Records V6-8770.
How do I tell if my copy of The Boss is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V6-8770, SVLP 9247, VLP 9247, SVL 52.020) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V68770 Side1 MGS1904 and V68770 Side2 MGS1905. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Boss on vinyl worth?
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.
