Vinyl pressings
by Oscar Peterson · 1968
The Way I Really Play was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
1 ℗ 1968 C8 ♢Z A1 25 599972 XA SB 15180 XAA-side runout stamped
1 ℗ 1968 C8 ♢Z C 25 599972 XB SB 15180 XBB-side runout stamped
1 ℗ 1968 C8 ♢Z A1 25 599972 XA SB 15180 XAA-side runout stamped
1 ℗ 1968 C8 ♢Z C 25 599972 XB SB 15180 XBB-side runout stamped
3 ℗ 1968 C8 ♢Z 25 599972 XA SB 15180 XA 54A-side runout stamped
3 ℗ 1968 C8 ♢Z 25 599972 XB SB 15180 XB 54B-side runout stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Germany | MPS Records MPS 15180 ST / MPS Records MPS 15 180 StereoFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Germany | MPS Records MPS 15180 ST / MPS Records MPS 15 180 StereoLP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1968 | Germany | MPS Records MPS 15180 ST / MPS Records MPS 15 180 StereoLP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1968 | Japan | MPS Records MPS 15180 ST / MPS Records MPS 15 180 StereoFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Japan | MPS Records ULS-1573-PFirst yearLP | LP |
| 1968 | South Africa | MPS Records MPS 15.0070 / Ster Superphonic Sound MPS 15,0070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | UK | Polydor 583 715First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Japan | MPS Records YS-2102-MPLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Prestige PRST 7620 / Prestige PR 7620LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Prestige PRST 7620 / Prestige PR 7620LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Germany | MPS Records CRM 670 / BASF CRM 670LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1971 | UK | MPS Records BMPS 19 20670-1 / BASF BMPS 19 20670-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Brazil | MPS Records MDLP-12353LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | MPS Records YP-7001-MPLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Australia | Carinia Records 68 075 / MPS Records 15180LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Viking Record Company Ltd. 21 20670-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Argentina | Microfon Argentina S.A. 20.007 EstéreoLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Japan | MPS Records ULS-1696-PLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1976 | Spain | MPS Records 35 53795LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | MPS Records ULS-1613-PLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | MPS Records UPS-2101-PLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Pausa Records PR 7080LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | Pausa Records PR 7080LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LPV-4334 / MPS Records 2160 670-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LPV-4334 / MPS Records 2160 670-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Japan | MPS Records 23MJ 3426LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Germany | MPS Records 15 180 ST / Triple A Series 0219790MSWLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | MPS Records 21 20670-1 / BASF 21 20670-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | France | MPS Records 15027 / MPS Records MPS 15027LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | MPS Records 68.075LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | MPS Records 2120 670-1 / BASF 2120 670-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | MPS Records 821 287-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | MPS Records 15180 / Metronome 68.075LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Japan | BASF ULX-52-PLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Portugal | MPS Records MPS 15 180 / Dargil MPS 15 180LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | MPS Records BAP 5010 / BASF BAP 5010LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Yugoslavia | MPS Records LPV-4334 / PGP RTB LPV-4334LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
37 vinyl pressings of The Way I Really Play are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1968 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in Germany, UK, Japan, South Africa. One of them is MPS Records MPS 15180 ST.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MPS 15180 ST, 583 715, ULS-1573-P, MPS 15.0070) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 ℗ 1968 C8 ♢Z A1 25 599972 XA SB 15180 XA and 1 ℗ 1968 C8 ♢Z C 25 599972 XB SB 15180 XB. 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.
