Vinyl pressings
by Ray Parker Jr. · 1984
Chartbusters was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 13 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.
AL8-8266-SA -2 I A1Runout A variant 1
AL8-8266-SB 1 I A2Runout B variant 1
AL8-8266-SA-2 I A2 DRunout A variant 2
AL8-8266-SB 2 I A1 ERunout B variant 2
AL8-8266-SA EmwA side
AL8-8266-SB EmwB side
AL8 8266 A-2Hand etched
AL8 8266 BHand etched.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | Arista RML 53153First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | Arista VPL1-7501First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Canada | Arista AL 8 8266First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Arista AL8-8266LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Canada | Arista AL 88266 / Arista AL 8 8266First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Europe | Arista 206 621First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | Arista VG 60017First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Ireland | Arista 206 621First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Arista ARI 90109First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Portugal | Arista 03.206621.40First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Arista ARI 90109First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Arista AL8-8266 / Arista AL 8-8266First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1984 | South Africa | Jive ASTC 168First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Spain | Arista I-206621 / Arista I-206.621First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | US | Arista AL8-8266 / Arista AL 8-8266First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
26 vinyl pressings of Chartbusters are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Japan, Australia & New Zealand, Canada and more. One of them is Arista AL8-8266.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL8-8266, 25RS-245, RML 53153, VPL1-7501) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL8-8266-SA -2 I A1 and AL8-8266-SB 1 I A2. 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.
