Vinyl pressings
by Roberta Flack · 1977
Blue Lights In The Basement was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 14 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.
ST-A-773969-A FT AT (PR)Variant 1 A-Side Runout
ST-A-773970-A FT AT (PR)Variant 1 B-Side Runout
ST-A-773969-I (PR)Variant 2 A-Side Runout
ST-A-773970-H (PR)Variant 2 B-Side Runout
ST-A-773969-AAA MAS +4-1 FT AT (PR) PRCSide A runout, variant 1
STA-773970-HHH MAS +6-1 (PR) PRCSide B runout, variant 1
ST-A-773969-AAA - MAS + - 1 FT AT (PR) PRCSide A runout, variant 2
ST-A-773970-HHH+5 Atara-1 (PR) PRCSide B runout, variant 2
ST-A-773969-AA- MAS FT △22903 (3) AT (PR)Side A runout variant 1
ST-A-773970-AA- MAS △22903-X FT (2) AT (PR)Side B runout variant 1
ST-A-773969-AA- MAS FT △22903 (2) AT (PR)Side A runout variant 2
STA-773970-HH-MAS [MR logo] △22903-X (4) (PR)Side B runout variant 2
ST-A-773969-LYA side Label
ST-A-773970-LYB side Label
ST-A-773969-PR FT AT (PR)Side A runout
ST-A-773969-PR FT AT (PR)Side B runout
ST-A-773969-PRSide A label
ST-A-773970-PRSide B label
ST-A-7739969-AA side Label
(PR)P
ST-A-7739969-AB side label
(PR)P
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Atlantic SD 19149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Atlantic KSD 19149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Atlantic 50440 / Atlantic 50440First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 440First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Greece | Atlantic 0162 / Atlantic A 0162First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Israel | Atlantic BAN 50440First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Atlantic P 10433AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Japan | Atlantic P-10433AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 50440 / Atlantic SD 19149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Atlantic SD 19149First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Portugal | Atlantic LP-S-39-37First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | South Africa | Atlantic ATL 1046First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | Atlantic HATS 421-271 / Hispavox HATS 421-271First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Atlantic SD 19149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Atlantic SD 19149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Taiwan | Union TD-2031LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Turkey | Atlantic SD-19149 / Atlantic 990LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Atlantic K50440 / Atlantic K 50440LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Yugoslavia | Atlantic 50440 / Suzy ATL 50440LP, Album | LP, Album |
34 vinyl pressings of Blue Lights In The Basement are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 19149.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 19149, ATL 50440, KSD 19149, 50440) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-773969-A FT AT (PR) and ST-A-773970-A FT AT (PR). 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.
