Vinyl pressings
by Afrika Bambaataa & Family · 1988
Reckless was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
34 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 12 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.
EM 41 A-1-1-7- DSide A runout stamped
TO U B 40Side A runout etched
EM 41B-1-1-4 DSide B runout stamped
TO JAZZY JAY & SKEFSide B runout etched
12 EMXS 41 A-20-1-1- DDSide A runout groove machine stamped
12 EM 41 B-1-1-1- DDSide B runout groove machine stamped
TO THE ZULU NATION & THE HIP HOP FAMILY OF THE WORLDSide B runout groove hand etched
12EMXS 41ALabel side A
12 EMXS 41 A-20-1-1- DDSide A runout stamped
12 EM 41 B-1-1-1- DDSide B runout stamped
12 EMX 41 A-1-1-1- DD THANKS TO SPARROW-ARROW, KASSAN, CALYPSO ROSE MANU DIBANGO, WILLIE COLONRunout side A
12 EMX 41 B-1-1-1- DD TO THE OLD SCHOOL @ NEW SCHOOL RAPPERSRunout side B
12 EM 41 A-1-1-1- DD WHAT'S UP MY BROTHER AMAD?Side A runout, variant 1
12 EM 41 B-1-1-1- DD TO THE ZULU NATION - AND THE HIP HOP FAMILY OF THE WORLDSide B runout, variant 1
12 EM 41 A-1-1-3- D WHAT'S UP MY BROTHER AMAD ?Side A runout, variant 2
12 EM 41 B-1-1-2 D TO THE ZULU NATION + THE HIP HOP FAMILY OF THE WORLDSide B runout, variant 2
EM 41 A-1-1- Q3Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 1
EM 41 B-1-1- Q3Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 1
EM 41 A-1-1-Q6Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 2
EM 41B#-1-1-Q3Runout, B side, stamped, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | EMI EMI 2068First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Australia | EMI ED 339First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Canada | Capitol Records C1 75221First year12" | 12" |
| 1988 | Canada | Capitol Records B 73054First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Ecuador | EMI 103-0327First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Ecuador | EMI 103-0327First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Europe | EMI 1C K060-20 2380 6First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Europe | EMI 006 20 2379 7 / EMI 1C 006-20 2379 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | EMI K 060-20 2485 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | EMI 006 20 2379 7 / EMI 1C 006-20 2379 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | France | EMI 20 2379 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Greece | EMI 052-2023806First year12" | 12" |
| 1988 | Italy | EMI 14 2023806First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Italy | EMI 06 2023797First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 2023797First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
34 vinyl pressings of Reckless are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is EMI EM 41, released February 8, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EM 41, 12EMXS 41, 12 EMXS 41, 12EMX 41) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EM 41 A-1-1-7- D and TO U B 40. 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.
