Vinyl pressings
by War · 1977
Platinum Jazz 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.
18 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 4 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.
T I BN ■LA 690-I-3 JS∙XTALrunout A, variant 1
S 2 BNLA∙690-2 I̷A̷ IB JS∙XTALrunout B, variant 1
BNLA 690-3 X JS∙XTALrunout C, variant 1
T I BN ■LA 690-4-I JS∙XTALrunout D, variant 1
BNLA 690-1 JS∙XTALRunout A, etched
BNLA 690-4X JS∙XTALRunout D, etched
BNLA∙690-2X JS∙XTALRunout B, etched
BNLA 690-3X JS∙XTALRunout C, etched
T I BN ■LA 690-I-3 JS∙XTAL E2Runout A, etched
S BNLA 690-4 1B JS.XTALRunout D, etched
BNLA 690-2 X JS.XTALRunout B, etched
S BNLA 690-3 1B SXT JS.XTALRunout C, etched
BNLA 690-1 JS∙XTALRunout A, etched
BNLA 690-4 JS∙XTALRunout D, etched
BNLA 690-2 JS∙XTALRunout B, etched
BNLA 690-3 JS∙XTALRunout C, etched
P o BNLA 690-1 JS•XTAL GRunout A etch; P o, G stamp
P BNLA 690-2 X JS•XTAL 3ARunout B etch; P, 3A stamp
P BNLA 690-3 X JS•XTAL 3Runout C etch; P, 3 stamp
P BNLA 690-4 JS•XTAL ARunout D etch; P, A stamp
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 | Blue Note LA 690First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2-7000First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1977 | Japan | LAX Records AW-9003~4First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Japan | LAX Records AW-9003~4 / LAX Records AW-9003First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Taiwan | Pop MHK-7169LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1977 | US | Blue Note BN-LA690-J2First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1977 | US | Blue Note BN-LA690-J2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | US | Blue Note BN-LA690-J2 / Blue Note BNLA-690-J2First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1977 | US | Blue Note BN-LA690-J2First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Blue Note BN-LA690-J2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Blue Note BN-LA690-J2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | US | Blue Note BN-LA690-J2 / Far Out BN-LA690-J2First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Blue Note BNLA-690-J2 / Blue Note BN-LA690-J2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | US | Blue Note BN-LA690-J2First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Blue Note BN-LA690-J2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Germany | MCA Records 301.039 / LAX Records 301.039LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | LAX Records 0080.031LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Japan | LAX Records AW-9003~4LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
25 vinyl pressings of Platinum Jazz are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1977 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Australia, Canada, Japan. One of them is Blue Note BN-LA690-J2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BN-LA690-J2, BNLA-690-J2, LA 690, MCA2-7000) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T I BN ■LA 690-I-3 JS∙XTAL and S 2 BNLA∙690-2 I̷A̷ IB JS∙XTAL. 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.
