Vinyl pressings
by Keith Emerson · 1981
Nighthawks (Original Soundtrack) was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 8 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-2575 JVC-3 JG/2 ◈-P-◈Side A runout, variant 1
MCA-2576 JVC-4 JG/2 ◈-P-◈Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-2575 JVC-3 JG/2 ◈-P-◈ISide A runout, variant 2
MCA-2575 JVC-4 JG/2 ◈-P-◈ISide B runout, variant 2
MCA2575 JVC-1Side A Label
MCA2576 JVC-1Side B Label
MCA-2575 JVC-1 JG/2 ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout etched
MCA-2576 JVC-1 JG/2 ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout etched
MCA 2575Side A Label
MCA 2576Side B Label
MCA-2575 JVC-1 JG/2 ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout etched
MCA-2576 JVC-1 JG/2 ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout etched
MCA 2575Side A Label
MCA 2576Side B Label
MCA-2575 JVC-1 JG/2 ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout etched
MCA-2576 JVC-1 JG/2 ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout etched
MCA 2575Side A Label
MCA 2576Side B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Backstreet Records BSR-5196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Backstreet Records BSR-5196 / Backstreet Records BSR 5196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | MCA Records 203 453First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records 203 453-320 / MCA Records 203 453First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4128First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6250First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6250 / Backstreet Records VIM-6250First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Backstreet Records BSR-5196 / Backstreet Records BSR 5196First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Backstreet Records BSR-5196 / MCA Records MCA-1521First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Backstreet Records BSR-5196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Backstreet Records BSR-5196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Backstreet Records BSR-5196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3107 / Backstreet Records BSR 5196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | Varèse Sarabande 302 067 411 8LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 250 924-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Singapore | Backstreet Records BSR-5196 / MCA Records BSR-5196LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Backstreet Records BSR-5196 / MCA Records MCA-2575LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Nighthawks (Original Soundtrack) are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1981 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Backstreet Records BSR-5196.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSR-5196, MCF 3107, 203 453, 203 453-320) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-2575 JVC-3 JG/2 ◈-P-◈ and MCA-2576 JVC-4 JG/2 ◈-P-◈. 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.
