Vinyl pressings
by Roberta Flack · 1981
Bustin' Loose 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.
11 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 7 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.
MCA-2382 Mastered at Allen Zentz L.A. Calif.Side A, stamped & etched, variant 1
MCA-2383 Mastered At Allen Zentz L.A.Calif.Side B, stamped & etched, variant 1
Mastered at Allen Zentz L.A. Calif.Side A & B, stamped, variant 1
MCA-2382-AZ-3 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. ◈-P-◈ [two diamond shapes with a P in the middle] IISide A, stamped & etched, variant 2
MCA-2382 Az2 ރ❆ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A.CALIF.Side A runout, variant 1
MCA-2382 Az2 ރ❆ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A.CALIF. 2Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-2382 AZ1 ރ❆ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A.CALIF.Side A runout, variant 2
MCA-2382 AZ1 ރ❆ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A.CALIF. 2Side B runout, variant 2
MCA-2382 Mastered at Allen Zentz L.A. Calif.Side A, stamped & etched, variant 1
MCA-2383 Mastered At Allen Zentz L.A.Calif.Side B, stamped & etched, variant 1
Mastered at Allen Zentz L.A. Calif.Side A & B, stamped, variant 1
MCA-2382-AZ-1 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. ◈-P-◈ [two diamond shapes with a P in the middle] IISide A, stamped & etched, variant 2
MCA-2382 Az-1 ⧈-G-⧈ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Side A, stamped & etched
MCA-2383 Az2 ❀ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. ⧈-G-⧈Side B, stamped & etched
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Side A & B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | MCA Records SUP 80.173First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | MCA Records MCA 5141First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5141First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4139First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6265First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6265First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | MCA Records 203.892 / MCA Records 203 892First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5141First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA 5141First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5141First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5141First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Bustin' Loose are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Australia, Canada, Italy and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5141.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5141, MCA 5141, MCA 4139, VIM-6265) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-2382 Mastered at Allen Zentz L.A. Calif. and MCA-2383 Mastered At Allen Zentz L.A.Calif.. 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.
