Vinyl pressings
by B. A. Robertson · 1980
Kool In The Kaftan was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 6 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.
[Utopia lyre symbol] K12427 A1 D XDA side runout
[Utopia lyre symbol] BG FOR SUE K12427 B-1 DB side runout
K 12427 AA Side
K 12427 BB Side
K12427 A1 W-8 [lyre symbol]Side 1
K12427 B2 W-2 STRAWBERRYSide 2
K 12427 A-1 D AF ƱA-side - etched
K 12427 B-1 D W FOR SUE ƱB-side - etched
K 12427 AA-side label
K 12427 BB-side label
K 12427 A-1 1 D AB ƱSide A runout
K 12427 B-1 1 D Ʊ JA FOR SUESide B runout
K 12427 ASide A label
K 12427 BSide B label
WEA-12427-A2- PFRunout A
WEA-12427-B2- PFRunout B
12 427-ALabel A
12 427-BLabel B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | WEA 100123First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Austria | Asylum Records AS 12 427First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | France | Asylum Records 12 427First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Asylum Records AS 12427First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Asylum Records AS 12427 / Asylum Records AS 12.427First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1980 | UK | Asylum Records K 12427 / Asylum Records K. 12427First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Asylum Records K 12427 / Asylum Records K.12427First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Asylum Records K 12427 / Asylum Records K.12427First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Asylum Records K.12427 / Asylum Records K 12427First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Asylum Records AS 12 427First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Scandinavia | Asylum Records AS 124277", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
11 vinyl pressings of Kool In The Kaftan are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Germany, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Asylum Records K 12427.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K 12427, K.12427, AS 12 427, 100123) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, [Utopia lyre symbol] K12427 A1 D XD and [Utopia lyre symbol] BG FOR SUE K12427 B-1 D. 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.
