Vinyl pressings
by Joan Armatrading · 1983
Track Record was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 9 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.
JA 2001 A//2▽420 T POUNDA TA1PERunout side A, variant 1 stamped [POUNDA TA1PE etched]
JA 2001 B//2▽420 TRunout side B, variant 1 [stamped]
JA 2001 AB1 CRunout Side A, Variant 2
JA 2001 BA2 DRunout Side B, Variant 2
ARunout side A & B, stamped
JA 2001 A3Runout Side A, etched variant 1
JA 2001 B3Runout Side B, etched variant 1
JA 2001-AB2Runout side A, etched variant 2
JA 2001 AB2 ARunout Side A
JA 2001 BA1 TOWNHOUSE ARunout Side B
JA 2001-ALabel Side A
JA 2001-BLabel Side B
AM SP04987A-RCA1 ⚇Side 1 runout etched
AM SP04987B-RCA1 ⚇Side 2 runout etched
AMSP-04987-A RCA 3..Runout side 1 etched
AMSP 04987-B''' RCA 3..Runout side 2 etched
AM SP 04987-A" ES2.. ⚇ EMWRunout side A etched (variant 2)
AM SP 04987-B ES1. ⚇ EMWRunout side B etched (variant 2)
MR 26328 AM SP 04987 A M1 (Drawing of pig with pointy ears)Side A runout, variant 1
MR 26328x AM SP 004987 B M1 (Drawing of pig with pointy ears)Side B runout, variant 1
MR △26328 AM SP 04987-A M1. ⚇Side A runout, variant 2
MR △26328x AM SP 04987-B M1. ⚇Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4987First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4987First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Europe | A&M Records AMLK 63725First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | A&M Records 394 987-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Germany | A&M Records 394 987-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Greece | A&M Records 394 987-1 / PolyGram 394 987-1First yearLP, Compilation, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | Greece | A&M Records 394 987-1 / PolyGram 394 987-1First yearLP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| 1983 | Greece | A&M Records AMLK 63725 / A&M Records AML 63725First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Ireland | A&M Records JA 2001First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | New Zealand | A&M Records RML 52037First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | UK | A&M Records JA 2001First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | UK | A&M Records JA 2001First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | UK | A&M Records JA 2001First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-4987First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-4987First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Israel | A&M Records SP-4987 / A&M Records SP 4987LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
21 vinyl pressings of Track Record are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records JA 2001.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JA 2001, SP-4987, SP 4987, RML 52037) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JA 2001 A//2▽420 T POUNDA TA1PE and JA 2001 B//2▽420 T. 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.
