Vinyl pressings
by Kansas · 1984
The Best Of Kansas was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 6 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-39283-1D G1 Masterfonics A3Side A runout, variant 1
BL-39283-1C G1 Masterfonics A5Side B runout, variant 1
AL-39283-1C G1 Masterfonics G9Side A runout, variant 2
BL-39283-1J G1 Masterfonics D5Side B runout, variant 2
AL 39283 G1C G1 (PxAP)Side A runout, var. 1
BL 39283 G1C G1 (FxAP)Side B runout, var. 1
AL-39283-1C L G1 Masterfonics H 16Side A runout, var. 2
BL 39283-G1C G1 A9 (FXAP)Side B runout, var. 2
AL 39283-1AB PSide A, variant 1
BL 39283-1B P MasterfonicsSide B, variant 1
AL-39283-1E 1 Masterfonics P oSide A, variant 2
BL 39283-1AA 1 P oSide B, variant 2
EPC 2 6065 A1 ∴Side A etched / stamped runout
EPC 260//65 B1 ∴Side B etched / stamped runout
AL-39283-1A-2HZ: DM-2Side A runout variant 1
BL-39283-1A-2HZ: DM-4Side B runout variant 1
AL-39283-1A-2HZ: DM-14Side A runout variant 2
BL-39283-1A-2HZ: DM-12Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4446First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Epic EPC26065LP, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Remastered |
| 1984 | UK | Epic EPC 26065First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | CBS Associated Records QZ 39283First yearCompilation, LP | Compilation, LP |
| 1984 | US | CBS Associated Records QZ 39283First yearCompilation, LP | Compilation, LP |
| 1984 | US | CBS QZ 39283First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1984 | Venezuela | Epic EPIC 278First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Canada | CBS Associated Records QZ 39283First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 2924First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 2924First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Ecuador | CBS 333-0067LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | South Korea | CBS QZ 39283Compilation, LP | Compilation, LP |
| 1987 | Greece | Epic EPC 461036 1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1987 | Greece | Epic EPC 26065 / Epic EPIC 26065LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Brazil | Discos CBS 268.042/1-467476 / Discos CBS 268.042LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | South Korea | CBS CPL-1087LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | South Korea | Sony DPI-5024LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Friday Music FRM-32983 / Sony Music Commercial Music Group FRM-32983LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2018 | US | Friday Music FRM-32983 / Kirshner 88883775941LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Columbia 184.066 / Columbia 1-461036LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | CBS Associated Records VQZ 39283LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Epic EPC 461036 1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | Epic EPC 4610361LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Epic EPC 461036 1Compilation, Reissue, LP | Compilation, Reissue, LP |
| ? | Taiwan | New Jen Sheng JS-5565LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK & Europe | Epic EPC 26065 / Epic EPIC 26065LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
26 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Kansas are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1984 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is CBS Associated Records QZ 39283.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use QZ 39283, EPC 26065, 28AP 2924, ELPS 4446) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-39283-1D G1 Masterfonics A3 and BL-39283-1C G1 Masterfonics A5. 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.
