UK
1978- Label and catalog number
- Front Line FL 1012
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
FL-1012 · A · 1 JONZ .˙. CSide A
FL 1012 B 5. D 4Side B
FL-1012 . A 2 JONZ V USide A, etched, variant 1
FL 1012 B5 V 5Side B, etched, variant 1

Vinyl pressings
by Althea & Donna · 1978
Uptown Top Ranking was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 7 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.
FL-1012 · A · 1 JONZ .˙. CSide A
FL 1012 B 5. D 4Side B
FL-1012 . A 2 JONZ V USide A, etched, variant 1
FL 1012 B5 V 5Side B, etched, variant 1
SMX53269 2ASide A runout, etched
SMX53270 2ASide B runout, etched
SMX53269 2ASide A runout, etched
SMX53270 2ASide B runout, etched
VIR 2933 749 1 380 - MPOSide A runout
VIR 2933 749 2 380 - MPOSide B runout
26151 A-1/78S Made in GermanyRunout A
26151 B-1/78S Made in GermanyRunout B
S 26 151 ALabel A
S 26 151 BLabel B
D.S.R. 7888 A DTA
D.S.R. 7888 B DTB
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Virgin L36620 / Virgin FL1012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Australia | Virgin VGL.36620 / Virgin L36620First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Virgin 2933 749First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Virgin 2933 749LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Virgin 26 151 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Jamaica | Ranking FL 1012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Virgin 26 151 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Virgin 26 151 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Front Line FL 1012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Front Line FL 1012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | UK | Front Line LPFL 2023LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2001 | UK & Europe | Front Line FL 14 / Front Line 7243 8 10325 10LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2001 | UK & Europe | Front Line FL 14 / Virgin 7243 8 10325 1 0LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Australia | Survival Research SVVRCH043LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2023 | Europe | Universal Music Recordings 487 142-5 / Front Line 487 142-5LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2026 | Germany | Front Line 5756825LP, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Virgin 2933 749LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Virgin 2933 749LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| ? | France | Virgin 2933 749LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Virgin FL 14 7243 / Virgin 81032510LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of Uptown Top Ranking are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1978 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Front Line FL 1012.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FL 1012, L36620, VGL.36620, 2933 749) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FL-1012 · A · 1 JONZ .˙. C and FL 1012 B 5. D 4. 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.