Vinyl pressings
by Beastie Boys · 1994
Ill Communication was first pressed on vinyl in 1994. 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 1994, the album's first year, in 4 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.
SRC C1-1-29397 (̶C̶1̶-̶2̶8̶5̶9̶9̶)̶ - RE-1Side A runout
SRC C1-2-29397-F3 (C128599) 1-1Side B runout
SRC C1-1-29398-F1 (̶C̶1̶-̶2̶8̶5̶9̶9̶)̶ 1-1Side C runout
SRC C1-2-2938-F1(̶C̶1̶-̶2̶8̶5̶9̶9̶)̶ 1-1Side D runout
GR 006 A 35140(3)A runout
GR 006 B 35141(3)B runout
GR 006 C 35142(3)C runout
GR 006 D 35143(3)D runout
GR 006 A 35140(3)Runout side A, etched
GR 006 B 35141(3)Runout side B, etched
GR 006 C 35142(3)Runout side C, etched
GR 006 D 35143(3)Runout side D, etched
GR 006 A 35140(3)Runout side A, etched
GR 006 B 35141(3)Runout side B, etched
GR 006 C 35142(3)Runout side C, etched
GR 006 D 35143(3)Runout side D, etched
(Side 1) 8293971 A-2-1-1
(Side 2) 8293971 B-1-1-1
(Side 3) 8293981 A-1-1-1
(Side 4) 8293981 B-1-1-1
8293971 A-2-1-1Side A runout
8293971 B-1-1-1Side B runout
8293981 A-1-1-1Side C runout
8293981 B-1-1-1Side D runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Greece | EMI 7243 8 28599 1 8 / Capitol Records 7243 8 28599 1 8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1994 | UK | Grand Royal GR006 / Grand Royal GR 006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1994 | US | Grand Royal GR006 / Grand Royal GR 006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1994 | US | Grand Royal GR006 / Grand Royal GR 006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1994 | UK | Capitol Records 7 243 8 28599 1 8 / Grand Royal EST 2229First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1994 | UK | Capitol Records 7 243 8 28599 1 8 / Grand Royal EST 2229First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1994 | UK & Europe | Capitol Records 7 243 8 28599 1 8 / Grand Royal 7 243 8 28599 1 8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1994 | US | Capitol Records C1 7243 8 28599 1 8 / Grand Royal C1 7243 8 28599 1 8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1994 | US | Grand Royal GR006 / Grand Royal GR 006First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Europe | Capitol Records 509996 94232 15 / Grand Royal 509996 94232 15LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2009 | US | Capitol Records 509996 94232 15 / Grand Royal 509996 94232 15LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue | LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue |
| 2009 | US | Capitol Records 509996 94232 15 / Grand Royal 509996 94232 15LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2009 | US | Capitol Records 509996 94232 15 / Grand Royal 509996 94232 15LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue | LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue |
| 2009 | US | Grand Royal / Capitol RecordsLP, Album, Remastered, LP, Compilation, Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Remastered, LP, Compilation, Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | UK | Grand Royal GR006LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2019 | US | Capitol Records 509996 94232 15 / Brooklyn Dust Music 509996 94232 15LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Worldwide | Capitol Records 00602465037906 / Universal Music Group 00602465037906LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Compilation, All Media, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Compilation, All Media, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 2026 | USA & Europe | Grand Royal Records 509996 94232 15 / Capitol Records 509996 94232 15LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Grand Royal 509996 94232 15 / Capitol Records 509996 94232 15LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress |
| ? | Europe | Grand Royal Records 509996 94232 15 / Capitol Records 509996 94232 15LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Grand Royal GR006LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Grand Royal 509996 94232 15 / Capitol Records 509996 94232 15LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress · Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress · Limited |
22 vinyl pressings of Ill Communication are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1994 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1994, in US, UK, UK & Europe, Greece. One of them is Capitol Records C1 7243 8 28599 1 8, released May 24, 1994.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C1 7243 8 28599 1 8, GR006, 7 243 8 28599 1 8, 7243 8 28599 1 8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRC C1-1-29397 (̶C̶1̶-̶2̶8̶5̶9̶9̶)̶ - RE-1 and SRC C1-2-29397-F3 (C128599) 1-1. 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.
