Vinyl pressings
by Ken Nordine · 1957
Word Jazz was first pressed on vinyl in 1957. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1957, the album's first year, in 4 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.
M 9168 - 1 C1 IRunout A, stamped (Variant 1)
M 9169 - 1 A3 IRunout B, stamped (Variant 1)
M 9168 – 1 A1Runout A, stamped (Variant 2)
M 9169 - 1 A1Runout B, stamped (Variant 2)
M9168 / XLONX27SIDE A
M9169 / XLONX28SIDE B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Australia | London Records HAA 7509 / London Records HAA - 7509First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | Canada | Dot Records DLP 3075First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | New Zealand | London Records HAM-D 6024 / London Records HAM-D.6024First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | US | Dot Records DLP 3075First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | UK | London Records LTZ-D15131LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | US | Dot Records DLP 25,075 / Dot Records DLP 3075LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Dot Records DLP 25,075 / Dot Records DLP 3075LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-1551LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-1551LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Pleasure For Music PFM116LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Dot Records DLP 25,075LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Dot Records DLP 25,075LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Word Jazz are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1957 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1957, in US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Dot Records DLP 3075.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DLP 3075, HAA 7509, HAM-D 6024) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M 9168 - 1 C1 I and M 9169 - 1 A3 I. 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.
