Vinyl pressings
by Yellow Magic Orchestra · 1981
BGM 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.
14 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 9 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.
〄Ⓑ ALR 28015A 121 +CRunout A, stamped, variant 1
ALR 28015B 111 ++Runout B, stamped, variant 1
〄Ⓑ ALR 28015A 113 CRunout A, stamped, variant 2
ALR 28015B 142Runout B, stamped, variant 2
〄Ⓑ ALR 28015A 113 XXXX CRunout, side A, stamped
ALR 28015B 143 XXRunout, side B, stamped
ALR-28015-ALabel, side A
ALR-28015-BLabel, side B
〄Ⓑ ALR 28015A 114 CRunout, side A, stamped
ALR 28015B 11Runout, side B, stamped
ALR-28015-ALabel, side A
ALR-28015-BLabel, side B
AMLH 64853-A-1 N PY VA side, variant 1
AMLH 64853 B-1. .N. PY V 5B side, variant 1
AMLH 64853-A-1 N PiYA side
AMLH 64853 B-1 N. PYB side
TI AM SP 04853-A T1Side A runout
TI AM SP 04853-B T2Side B runout
SP-04853-ASide A label
SP-04853-BSide B label
AM SP 04853-A P2..Side One
AM SP 04853-B P2..Side Two
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 | A&M Records L 37606 / A&M Records SP-4853First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4853First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64853First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Philippines | A&M Records SP-4853First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Singapore | A&M Records SP 4853First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 64853First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-4853First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-4853First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-4853LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-4853First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-4853First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Alfa ALR-28015First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Alfa ALR-28015First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | Alfa ALR-28015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64853First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1471 / Alfa MOVLP1471LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1471 / Alfa MOVLP1471LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | Japan | Great Tracks MHJL 77 / Alfa MHJL 77LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 2019 | Japan | Alfa MHJL 75~76 / Great Tracks MHJL 75~76LP, 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
23 vinyl pressings of BGM are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1981 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Japan, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Alfa ALR-28015, released March 21, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ALR-28015, AMLH 64853, SP-4853, L 37606) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 〄Ⓑ ALR 28015A 121 +C and ALR 28015B 111 ++. 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.
