Vinyl pressings
by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam · 1991
Let The Beat Hit 'Em was first pressed on vinyl in 1991. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1991, 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.
XSS-73834-A-2 A G1 (m) B 8 DMS Herbie Jr :^)Runout side A, variant 1
XSS-73834-B-2 A G1 DMS Herbie Jr :^) (m) B 7Runout side B, variant 1
XSS-73834-A-2 A G1 (m) A 7 DMS Herbie Jr :^)Runout side A, variant 2
XSS-73834-B-2 A G1 DMS Herbie Jr :^) (m) B 6Runout side B, variant 2
XSS-73923-A 1A GI (T) A6 DMS HERbIE JR :v)Etched, side A run-out, variant 1
XSS-73923-B 1A GI (T) B3 DMS HERbIE JR :v)Etched, side B run-out, variant 1
XSS-73923-A 1A GI (T) A19 DMS HERbIE JR :v)Etched, side A run-out, variant 2
XSS-73923-B 1A GI (T) B4 DMS HERbIE JR :v)Etched, side B run-out, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Australia | Columbia 656950 6 / CBS 656950 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1991 | Australia | CBS SAMP316First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | Europe | Columbia COL 656950 5 / Columbia 656950 5First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1991 | Europe | Columbia 656950 7 / Columbia COL 656950 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | Europe | Columbia 657393 7 / Columbia COL 657393 7First yearSingle, 7", 45 RPM | Single, 7", 45 RPM |
| 1991 | Europe | Columbia 657393 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1991 | Netherlands | Columbia 657374 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | Philippines | Columbia QCLEP-18270 / Columbia 656950 5First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | Spain | CBS/Sony ARIC 0032First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1991 | Spain | CBS/Sony COL 656950 5First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1991 | UK | Columbia XPR 1658First year12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1991 | UK | Columbia XPR 1665First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | UK & Europe | Columbia 657286 8First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1991 | US | Columbia 44 73834First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1991 | US | Columbia 44 73923 / Columbia 44-73923First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
27 vinyl pressings of Let The Beat Hit 'Em are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in US, UK, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia 44 73834.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44 73834, 44 73923, 38-73847, ACD 73834) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS-73834-A-2 A G1 (m) B 8 DMS Herbie Jr :^) and XSS-73834-B-2 A G1 DMS Herbie Jr :^) (m) B 7. 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.
