Vinyl pressings
by Kurtis Blow · 1980
The Breaks was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
40 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 18 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.
MDS-4010-A.Side A runout
MDS-4010-BSide B runout
MDS-4010-A-SR MASTERDISK HWSide A runout (variant 2)
MDS-4010-B-SR MASTERDISK HWSide B runout (variant 2)
2-56008-A-CP7Side A runout etched
2-56009-B-CP-7Side B runout etched
2-56008Label side A
2-56009Label side B
MASTERDISK HW 2-56008-A-PW-5 (PR)PRunout side A mastering stamp + hand-etched
2-56009-B-PW 5 (PR)PRunout side B hand-etched
76075-ASLabel side A
76075-BSLabel side B
MDS-4010-A.PRC-R-1-1-11Side A runout (etched)
MDS-4010-B PRC-R-B2-1-1Side B runout (etched)
MASTERDISKSide A runout (stamped)
2-56010A Side label
TI MDS-4010-A - 1CSide A runout (etched)
XT MDS-4010-B - CP-6Side B runout (etched)
2-56010A Side Label
2-56011B Side Label
MDS-4010-A MASTERDISKSide A runout
MDS-4010-B - CP-6 MASTERDISKSide B runout
MDS-4010-B X MASTERDISKSide A runout (variant 2)
P MDS-4010-A MASTERDISK HWSide A etched exc. MASTERDISK P, stamped (variant 3)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | Mercury 6167 941First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Mercury M-76075First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Mercury MDS 4010 / Mercury 6167 941First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | Mercury 6167 941First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | France | Mercury 6167 964First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Mercury 6167 964First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Mercury 6167 941First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1980 | Guatemala | Mercury 6167 964First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Italy | Mercury 6167 964First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | Jamaica | Mercury MDS-4010First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Mercury 7PP-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Japan | Mercury 7PP-7First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Mercury 6167 964First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Mercury 6167 964First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Mercury BLOW 01First year7" | 7" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | US | Island Def Jam Music Group CATF-05129-112", Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2004 | US | Mercury MDS-401012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Mercury 884 486-112" | 12" |
| ? | Netherlands | Mercury 884 786-112", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue, Stereo |
49 vinyl pressings of The Breaks are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1980 and 2004.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury MDS-4010.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MDS-4010, 76075, DJ-566, BLOW 8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MDS-4010-A. and MDS-4010-B. 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.
