Vinyl pressings
by Quincy Jones · 1981
Razzamatazz was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 6 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.
AMS 8140 - A-1Side A runout variant 1
AMS 8140 - B-1Side B runout variant 1
AMS 8140 - A-1 ⋀ AMS 8140 - A-1Side A runout variant 2
AMS 8140 - B-3 ⋀Side B runout variant 2
AMS-8140 . A.1 2 C ⋀ AMS 8140 - A-1Side A runout
AMS 8140 B-4 ⋀ 6Side B runout
AMS 8140.ASide A label
AMS 8140.BSide B label
AMSP 8140 A - 1Side A
AMSP 8140 B - 1Side B
AMSP 8140-ASide A label
AMSP 8140-BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 9133First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-727First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | Netherlands | A&M Records AMS 12-9137First year12" | 12" |
| 1981 | Spain | A&M Records AMS 9133First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMSP 8140First year12", Stereo | 12", Stereo |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records 2334-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records 2334-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-12040First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records 2334-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records 2334 / A&M Records 2334-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records A&M 023347", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Mono · Test pressing, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Mono · Test pressing, Mono |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMS 8140First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-12040First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMS 8140First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMS 8140First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-1204012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
16 vinyl pressings of Razzamatazz are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Europe, Japan and more. One of them is A&M Records AMS 8140, released June 12, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMS 8140, AMSP 8140, SP-12040, 2334-S) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMS 8140 - A-1 and AMS 8140 - B-1. 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.
