US
1988- Label and catalog number
- Capitol Records C1 90157
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
C1-1-90157-Z4 Future Disc [SRC logo]Side A runout
C1-2-90157-Z4 [SRC logo]Side B runout
(C1-1-90157)Side A label
(C1-2-90157)Side B label
Afrika Bambaataa & FamilyThe Light
Vinyl pressings
The Light
by Afrika Bambaataa & Family · 1988
15 pressings10 countriesHip Hop
The Light 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.
How to spot a first pressing of The Light
15 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 10 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.
US
1988- Label and catalog number
- Capitol Records C1 90157
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
C1 - 1 - 90157 - Z4 FUTURE DISC △ 21119 SRC B-31698Side A etched
C1 - 2 - 90157 - Z4 1 - 2 SP-AR △ 21119 SRC B -31698Side B etched
UK
1988- Label and catalog number
- EMI EMC 3545EMI 12BAM 1
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
BAM-lA MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK cg ALL PRAISE DUE TO ALLAH M̶EMC 3545 A-1U-1-1Runout side A
BAM- Side B MASTERDISK EMC 3545 B-1U-1-1Runout side B
MASTERDISK SHO NUFF FUNKY - A LONG vers. 12 BAM 1A-1U-1-1Runout side C
B. ShOUT IT OUT MASTERDISK 12BAM 1B-1U-1-1Runout side D
UK
1988- Label and catalog number
- EMI EMCX 3545
- Format
- LP, Album
UK
1988- Label and catalog number
- EMI EMC 3545EMI 064 7 90423 1
- Format
- LP, Album · Gatefold
UK
1988- Label and catalog number
- EMI EMC 3545EMI 12BAM 1
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
BAM-lA MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK cg ALL PRAISE DUE TO ALLAH M̶EMC 3545 A-1U-1-1Runout side A
BAM- Side B MASTERDISK EMC 3545 B-1U-1-1Runout side B
MASTERDISK SHO NUFF FUNKY - A LONG vers. 12 BAM 1A-1U-1-1Runout side C
B. ShOUT IT OUT MASTERDISK 12BAM 1B-1U-1-1Runout side D
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 15 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s15 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australasia | EMI EMC 790157First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | EMI 064 790157 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Capitol Records C1 90157 / EMI C1 90157First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | EMI 064 7 90423 1 / EMI PM 264 7 90423 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | EMI 064-7904231First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | South Africa | EMI EMCJ (L) 7901571First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | EMI 068-7901571First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | EMI EMC 3545 / EMI 12BAM 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Stereo, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1988 | UK | EMI EMCX 3545First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | EMI EMC 3545 / EMI 064 7 90423 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | EMI EMC 3545 / EMI 12BAM 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Stereo, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1988 | UK | EMI EMC 3545 / EMI 12BAM 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Stereo, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1988 | US | Capitol Records C1 90157First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Capitol Records C1 90157First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | EMI 64 7901570First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1The Light3:12
- A2Reckless5:21
- A3Radical Music: Revolutionary Dance4:22
- A4Something He Can Feel5:53
- B1Shout It Out6:18
- B2Clean Up Your Act6:15
- B3Zouk Your Body6:38
- B4World Racial War6:27
- B5Sho Nuff Funky4:48
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Light are there?
15 vinyl pressings of The Light are listed here, from 10 countries.
When was The Light first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Italy, Australasia and more. One of them is Capitol Records C1 90157.
How do I tell if my copy of The Light is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C1 90157, EMC 3545, EMCX 3545, 64 7901570) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, C1-1-90157-Z4 Future Disc [SRC logo] and C1-2-90157-Z4 [SRC logo]. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Light on vinyl worth?
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.
