Vinyl pressings
by Quincy Jones · 1975
Mellow Madness was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1975, 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.
2 SP 4789 P-2 P KENDUN-B JGRunout side A, variant 1
P SP 4790 P-2 KENDUN BRunout side B, variant 1
P SP 4789 KENDUN-A JGRunout side A, variant 2
P SP 4790 P-2 KENDUN-BRunout side B, variant 2
SP 4789 M I (MR) Δ19967(6) KENDUN B JGRunout A side
SP 4790 M I (MR) Δ19967-X(3) KENDUN A JGRunout B side
SP-4789Label A side
SP-4790Label B side
SP 4789 M I (MR in a circle) 29 Δ19967(6) KENDUN B JGEtched A side (MR, KENDUN B stamped)
SP 4790 M 2 (MR in a circle) 20 Δ19967-X KENDUN A JGEtched A side (MR, KENDUN A stamped)
SP-4789Label A side
SP-4790Label B side
TI SP 4789 T-2 KENDUN-B JGRunout, side A
TI SP 4790 T2 KENDUN-B JGRunout, side B
SP-4789Label, side A
SP-4790Label, side B
AM SP 4789 RCA 1. "face with pointy ears" (pig's snout) I VRunout, side A
AM SP 4790 RCA 1. "face with pointy ears" (pig's snout) I VRunout, side B
SP-4789Label, side A
SP-4790Label, side B
SP 4789 M1 (MR in a circle) ㉑ 𑀏19967 ⑷ KENDUN B JGA side Deadwax (etched & stamped)
SP 4790 M1 (MR in a circle) 𑀏19967 X ⑴ KENDUN A JGB side Deadwax (etched & 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Argentina | A&M Records 8264First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Australia | A&M Records L-35,579First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Brazil | A&M Records SA&M-2154 / A&M Records SP 4526First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4526 / A&M Records SP 4526First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4526First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4526First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Colombia | A&M Records AMS 511First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | A&M Records 875 056First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | A&M Records 89 143 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Greece | A&M Records AMLH 64526First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | India | A&M Records SP-4526 / A&M Records SP 4526First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | A&M Records SLAM 64526First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | A&M Records GP-250First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | A&M Records GP-250First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Mexico | A&M Records SLAM-072First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Japan | A&M Records C25Y3053LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
37 vinyl pressings of Mellow Madness are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1975 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4526.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4526, SP 4526, QU 54526, AMLH 64526) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2 SP 4789 P-2 P KENDUN-B JG and P SP 4790 P-2 KENDUN 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.
