Vinyl pressings
by Kurtis Blow · 1984
8 Million Stories / AJ Scratch 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 3 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.
2-57989Side A
2-57990Side B
880-170-1-2-57989-HRM MASTERDISK A-1 ᐉSide A Runout
880-170-1-2-57990-HRM1 ᐉ AM [written into each other] MASTERDISK L.I. ✰ [B scratched over A]-Side B Runout
880 170-7-2-57989- BW MASTERDISKA-Side Runout Etching
880 170-7-2-57990 - BW MASTERDISK RLB-Side Runout Etching
2-57989A-Side Label
2-57990B-Side Label
2-57989A-Side Label
2-57990B-Side Label
880 170-7-2-57989 PRC-R-1 MASTERDISK 1-2-3
880 170-7-2-57990- PRC-R-1 1-1-2
880-170-1-2-57989-ALD ɑ B-19763-ALD SLM △7510 1-1 MASTERDISKRunout Both Sides
880 170-1Label Both Sides
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 | Germany | Mercury 880 270-1 / Mercury 880 270-1 QFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 880 170-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 880 170-1First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 880 170-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 880 170-7First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 880 170-7 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 880 170-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 880 170-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 880 170-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 751012", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 880 170-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of 8 Million Stories / AJ Scratch are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Germany, Netherlands. One of them is Mercury 880 170-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 880 170-1, 880 170-7, 880 170-7 DJ, 880 270-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2-57989 and 2-57990. 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.
