Skip to content
VinylLens
Unity by Afrika Bambaataa, album cover

Vinyl pressings

Unity

by Afrika Bambaataa · 1984

22 pressings9 countriesElectroFunkHip HopFunk / Soul

Unity 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.

How to spot a first pressing of Unity

20 pressings came out in 1984, 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.

US

1984
Label and catalog number
Tommy Boy TB 847
Format
12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Runout / matrix

MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :v) Angie. "IT'S BAAd" TB-847-A ✩PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS,✩N.J.A-side runout etching, variant 1

TB-847-B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :v) ✩PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS,✩N.J.B-side runout etching, variant 1

[MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK] Herbie Jr :v) Angie "IT'S BAAd" TB-847-A [P̶R̶E̶S̶S̶E̶D̶ A̶T̶ S̶O̶U̶N̶D̶ M̶A̶K̶E̶R̶S̶,✩N̶.J̶.] EXP Rainbow S-12403A-side runout etching, [stamped], variant 2

TB-847-B [MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK] Herbie Jr :v) [P̶R̶E̶S̶S̶E̶D̶ A̶T̶ S̶O̶U̶N̶D̶ M̶A̶K̶E̶R̶S̶,✩N̶.J̶.] EXP Rainbow - S-12404B-side runout etching, [stamped], variant 2

Full details of this pressing

US

1984
Label and catalog number
Tommy Boy TB 847-7
Format
7", 45 RPM
Runout / matrix

TB 847-7 AA-side label

TB 847-7 BB-side label

Full details of this pressing

UK

1984
Label and catalog number
Tommy Boy AFRX 2Polydor 881-204-1
Format
12", 45 RPM, Single
Runout / matrix

AFRX 2 A//1∇420R 11 4Side A

AFRX 2 B//1∇420 R 11 2Side B

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 22 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1980s21 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1984BrazilTommy Boy 881 204-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
1984FranceTommy Boy 881 204-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo
1984FrancePolydor 881 204-7First year7"7"
1984GermanyPolydor 881 204-1First year12", EP, Maxi-Single, Stereo12", EP, Maxi-Single, Stereo
1984GermanyPolydor 881 204-7First year7", 45 RPM7", 45 RPM
1984GreecePolydor 881204-1First year12", Mini-Album12", Mini-Album
1984JapanCBS/Sony 20AP 2941First year12"12"
1984NetherlandsPolydor 881 204-7First year7", Single7", Single
1984SpainPolydor 881 204-7First year7", 45 RPM7", 45 RPM
1984SpainPolydor 881 204-1First year12"12"
1984UKPolydor AFRX 2 DJFirst year12", Promo · Promo12", Promo · Promo
1984UKTommy Boy AFRX 2 / Polydor 881-204-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single12", 45 RPM, Single
1984UKTommy Boy AFR 2First year7"7"
1984UKTommy Boy AFR 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single7", 45 RPM, Single
1984USTommy Boy TB 847First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
All 21 pressings from the 1980s
Year unknown1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?USTommy Boy TB-84712", Test Pressing · Test pressing12", Test Pressing · Test pressing

Tracklist

  1. A1Unity (Pt. 1 - The Third Coming)3:20
  2. A2Unity (Pt. 2 - Because It's Coming)3:30
  3. A3Unity (Pt. 3 - Nuclear Wild Style)3:29
  4. B1Unity (Pt. 4 - Can You See It)6:47
  5. B2Unity (Pt. 5 - The Light)4:15
  6. B3Unity (Pt. 6 - World War III)2:44

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Unity are there?

22 vinyl pressings of Unity are listed here, from 9 countries.

When was Unity first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Brazil, France and more. One of them is Tommy Boy TB 847.

How do I tell if my copy of Unity is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TB 847, TB 847-7, AFRX 2, AFR 2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :v) Angie. "IT'S BAAd" TB-847-A ✩PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS,✩N.J. and TB-847-B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :v) ✩PRESSED AT SOUND MAKERS,✩N.J.. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Unity 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.

More Afrika Bambaataa on vinyl

VinylLens app

What is your copy of Unity worth?

Point your phone at the label. VinylLens finds the exact pressing in seconds and shows its value for every condition, from Mint to Poor, so you know what your record is really worth.

Scan your records free