Vinyl pressings
by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force · 1984
Frantic Situation was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 5 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.
TB-849-A HERBIE JR :v)Runout A, etched
TB-849-B HERBIE JR :v)Runout B, etched
✩PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS,✩N.J.Runout both sides, stamped
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKRunout both sides, stamped
TB-849-A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERBIE JR :v) ̶✩P̶R̶E̶S̶S̶E̶D̶ ̶A̶T̶ ̶S̶O̶U̶N̶D̶ ̶M̶A̶K̶E̶R̶S̶,̶✩N̶.̶J̶.̶ EXP RAINBO S-12427Side A runout
TB-849-B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERBIE JR :v) ̶✩P̶R̶E̶S̶S̶E̶D̶ ̶A̶T̶ ̶S̶O̶U̶N̶D̶ ̶M̶A̶K̶E̶R̶S̶,̶✩N̶.̶J̶.̶ EXP RAINBO S-12428Side B runout
TB-849-A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :v) ✩PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS✩N.J.A-Side Runout Etching
TB-849-B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :v) ✩PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS✩N.J.B-Side Runout Etching
TB 849 AA-Side Label
TB 849 BB-Side Label
AFRX 3A//1ᐁ420WSide A, Variant 1
AFRX 3A//1ᐁ420WSide B, Variant 1
AFRX 3A//1ᐁ420W ∖ 1 2Side A, Variant 2
AFRX 3B//1ᐁ420W ∖1 4Side B, Variant 2
AFRX 3A // 1 ∇ 420 W 1 1 3A Side
AFRX 3B // 1 ∇ 420 W 1 1 2B Side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Brazil | Tommy Boy 881 266-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | Tommy Boy 881 266-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Japan | Tommy Boy 12AP 2938First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Japan | Tommy Boy 12AP 2938First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Tommy Boy AFRX 3 / Tommy Boy 881 266-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor AFRX 3-DJ / Polydor 881 266-1First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Tommy Boy TB 849First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | US | Tommy Boy TB 849First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Tommy Boy TB 84912", 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress |
| 1984 | US | Tommy Boy TB 84912", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | US | Tommy Boy TB 849-7First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Tommy Boy TB 849First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of Frantic Situation are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Brazil, France and more. One of them is Tommy Boy TB 849.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TB 849, TB 849-7, AFRX 3, AFRX 3-DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TB-849-A HERBIE JR :v) and TB-849-B HERBIE JR :v). 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.
