Vinyl pressings
by Michael McDonald · 1986
Sweet Freedom was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
35 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 17 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-5667-BG3 ❀ ◈-P-◈Side A runout, etched [◈-P-◈ stamped]
MCA 5668 FDS-4 FUTURE DISC ◈-P-◈Side B runout, etched [◈-P-◈ stamped]
MCA5667Side A label
MCA5668Side B label
MC-20070-B6-1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout, Side A (Variant 1)
MC-20746-B6-1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout, Side B (Variant 1)
MC-20070-B65 [Flower drawing] ⧈-G-⧈Runout, Side A (Variant 2)
MC-20746-B65 [Two seagulls drawing] ⧈-G-⧈Runout, Side B (Variant 2)
MCA - 5667 - BG2 ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ ⧈-G-⧈ 1Side A runout groove, etched
MCA - 5668 FDS-1 FUTURE DISC ⧈-G-⧈ 2Side B runout groove, etched
MCA 5667Side A label
MCA 5668Side B label
MC - 20070 - BG - 4 ◈-P-◈Runout area side A
MC - 20746 - BG - 4 ◈-P-◈Runout area side B
MC20070A side label
MC52857B side label
MC-20070-BG-3 ◈-P-◈A Side Runout
MC-20746-BG-4 ◈-P-◈ IIB Side Runout
MC20070A Side Label
MC20747B Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | MCA Records 7-52857First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Brazil | MCA Records 608.7012First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-23641First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52857First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ecuador | MCA Records 45-33562First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Europe | MCA Records 258 605-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | MCA Records 258 599-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | MCA Records 258 605-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | MCA Records 258 605-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ireland | MCA Records MCA 1073First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Italy | MCA Records 25 8605-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | MCA Records P-2152First year7" | 7" |
| 1986 | Japan | MCA Records P-2152First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Panama | MCA Records 52857First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Peru | MCA Records 0052857.5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | US | MCA Records MCA-2364112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
36 vinyl pressings of Sweet Freedom are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1986 and 2006.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-23641.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-23641, MCA-52857, S45-17156, MCA 1073) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-5667-BG3 ❀ ◈-P-◈ and MCA 5668 FDS-4 FUTURE DISC ◈-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.
