Vinyl pressings
by War · 1979
The Music Band was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, the album's first year, in 16 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 1723 CR-5 回-G-回 Wally Mastered By CapitolRunout side A, variant 1
MCA 1724 CR-7 回-G-回 Wally Mastered By CapitolRunout side B, variant 1
MCA 1723 CR-5 回-G-回 Wally Mastered By Capitol 3Runout side A, variant 2
MCA 1724 CR-5 回-G-回 Wally Mastered By Capitol 3Runout side B, variant 2
MCA-1723 CR-8 ◈-P-◈ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side A, variant 1
MCA-1724 CR-4 -P-IIII Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side B, variant 1
MCA-1723 CR-8 □-P-□ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side A, variant 2
MCA-17234CR-3 ◈-P-◈ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side B, variant 2
MCA 3085-A FH 7/5Side A
MCA 3085-B FH 7/5Side B
ML 4280 MCA 1723 DD3Runout, Side A - etched
ML 4280 MCA 1724Runout, Side B - etched
MCA-1723 ALabel, Side A
MCA-1724 BLabel, Side B
MCA-3085-A FH 7/5Side A
MCA-3085-B FH 7/5Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Unknown | MCA Records MCA-3085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-3085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | MCA Records 2322 208First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-3085LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1979 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-3085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | MCA Records 511 011 / MCA Records 511.011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | MCA Records 0062.125 / MCA Records MCA-3085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Greece | MCA Records 14C 062-62632 / MCA Records MCG 4001AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4047First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | MCA Records 5C 062-62632First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | MCA Records MCA-3085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | MCA Records MCA 3085 / MCA Records MCA-3085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | MCA Records 63 28 875 / Far Out 63 28 875First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | MCA Records MCG 4001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Mexico | MCA Records LA-207LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Mexico | MCA Records LA - 207 / MCA Records LA-207LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | MCA Records I-201305 / MCA Records I-201.305LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Taiwan | Liming Record LM-2978LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
24 vinyl pressings of The Music Band are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, South Africa, Australia and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-3085.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-3085, MCG 4001, ML 4280, 2322 208) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 1723 CR-5 回-G-回 Wally Mastered By Capitol and MCA 1724 CR-7 回-G-回 Wally Mastered By Capitol. 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.
