Vinyl pressings
by The Chemical Brothers · 1997
Block Rockin' Beats was first pressed on vinyl in 1997. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1997, the album's first year, in 3 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.
CHEMST 5 A-01-01-1Side A runout machine stamped
CHEMST 5 B-01-01-1Side B runout machine stamped
MIKE'S - THE EXCHANGESide A + B runout hand etched
ASW-6195-A-RE-1 S-35262 RE1Side A
MASTERED BY TRUTONE -PA-397Side A (Stamper)
ASW-6195-B S-35263Side B
MASTERED BY TRUTONE PA 3-97Side B (Stamper)
D CHEMSLH 5 A-1-1- Q1Side A
D CHEMSLH 5 B-1-1- Q1Side B
CHEMSTDJ 5 A1-1-1 MIKE'S THE EXCHANGESide A
CHEMSTDJ 5 B1-1-1 MIKE'S - THE EXCHANGESide B
CHEMSTXDJ5 A-01-01-1 MIKE'S - THE EXCHANGE C̶H̶E̶S̶T̶Runout, side A
CHEMSTXDJ 5 B-01-01-1 MIKE'S THE EXCHANGERunout, side B
CHEMSTXDJ5 A-01-01-1 MIKE'S - THE EXCHANGE C̶H̶E̶S̶T̶Etchings Side A
CHEMSTXDJ 5 B-01-01-1 MIKE'S THE EXCHANGEEtchings Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Italy | Freestyle Dust CHEMST5 / Virgin 7243 8 94193 6 8First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1997 | UK | Freestyle Dust CHEMSTXDJ5First year12", Single, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Single, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1997 | UK | Virgin CHEMSLH 5 / Virgin 7243 8 94179 7 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1997 | UK | Freestyle Dust CHEMSTXDJ5First year12", Single, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Single, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1997 | UK | Freestyle Dust CHEMST5 / Virgin 7243 8 94193 6 8First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1997 | UK | Freestyle Dust CHEMSTDJ5First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1997 | US | Astralwerks ASW 6195First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Europe | Freestyle Dust CB--001 / Virgin CB--00112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
| 2007 | UK | Counterfeit Beatz BLOCK-0112", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Virgin 060253754073012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
10 vinyl pressings of Block Rockin' Beats are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1997 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1997, in UK, US, Italy. One of them is Freestyle Dust CHEMST5, released March 24, 1997.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHEMST5, ASW 6195, CHEMSLH 5, CHEMSTDJ5) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHEMST 5 A-01-01-1 and CHEMST 5 B-01-01-1. 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.
