Vinyl pressings
by Kansas · 1986
Power 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.
12 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
MCA-5987-SS1-DMM Sterling Sound EDP M1 SF1 SM1Variant 1 Side A runout
MCA-5988-SS1-DMM Sterling Sound EDP M1 SF1 SM3Variant 1 Side B runout
MCA-5987-SS1-DMM Sterling Sound EDP M1 SF1 SM11Variant 2 Side A runout
MCA-5988-SS1-DMM Sterling Sound EDP M1 SF1 SM5Variant 2 Side B runout
MCA-5987-SS1-DMM Sterling Sound EDP M1 SF1 SM9Side 1 Runout Etched - Variant 1
MCA-5988-SS1-DMM Sterling Sound EDP M1 SF1 SM8Side 2 Runout Etched - Variant 1
MCA-5987-SS1-DMM Sterling Sound EDP M1 SF1 SM6Side 1 Runout Etched - Variant 2
MCA-5988-SS1-DMM Sterling Sound EDP M1 SF1 SM7Side 2 Runout Etched - Variant 2
MCG 6021 A//1^420T 1 1 2 BILBO TAPE oneRunoff A
MCG 6021 B//1^420T 1 1 2 BILBO TAPE oneRunoff B
MCA 5987 MCA 5838-A TLC-TSide A etched
MCA 5988 MCA 5838-B TLC-TSide B etched
[CR (In a circle)] symbolBoth sides stamped
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 | Australia | MCA Records 5838-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5838First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5838LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5838First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | MCA Records 254 426-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Israel | MCA Records Ban 254426-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Mexico | MCA Records LCA 6572First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records MCG 6021 / MCA Records MCA 5838First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5838First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5838LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5838First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5838LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5838LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Venezuela | WEA WEA 3530First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | MCA Records P-13418First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
19 vinyl pressings of Power are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5838.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5838, MCG 6021, P-13418, 5838-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-5987-SS1-DMM Sterling Sound EDP M1 SF1 SM1 and MCA-5988-SS1-DMM Sterling Sound EDP M1 SF1 SM3. 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.
