Vinyl pressings
by Spyro Gyra · 1981
Freetime 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.
26 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 17 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-2669.MD5 RL. MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Side A runout, variant 1
MCA-2670-MD5 RL MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-2669.MD6 MASTERDISK RL ◈-P-◈ IIISide A runout, variant 2
MCA-2670-MD5 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈ IISide B runout, variant 2
MCA-2669-MD2 MASTERDISK RL.
MCA-2670-MD2 MASTERDISK
MCA-2669-MD 2 RL 5Side A Etched
MCA-2670-MD 2Side B Etched
MASTERDISK and ⧈-G-⧈Stamped both sides
MCA 2669Side A 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 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-5238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | MCA Records 203 952First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | MCA Records 203 952 / MCA Records MCA-5238First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | MCA Records 203 952First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records 250 417-1 / MCA Records MCA-37148LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4142First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6263First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6263First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | MCA Records LAE-398First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | MCA Records MCA 5238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Peru | MCA Records Y - MCA - 0005238.5First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Philippines | MCA Records MCA-5504-9First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | MCA Records MCA-5238 / MCA Records MCA 5238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Singapore | MCA Records MCA-5238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
30 vinyl pressings of Freetime are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1981 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5238.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5238, MCA 2669, MCA-1468, MCA-37250) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-2669.MD5 RL. MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈ and MCA-2670-MD5 RL MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈. 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.
