Vinyl pressings
by Black Uhuru · 1981
Red was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 15 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.
ILPS 9625 A-1U 2 3Runout side A variant 1
ILPS 9625 B-4U 2 2 GRAEME - SOUND CLINICRunout side B variant 1
ILPS 9625 A-1U 2 3 1Runout side A variant 2
ILPS 9625 B-1U 2 2 2 GRAEME - SOUND CLINICRunout side B variant 2
ILPS 9625 A-1U 2 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9625 B-1U 0 12Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
GRAEME - SOUND CLINICRunout side B, etched, variant 1
ILPS 9625 A-1U 7 2Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
ILPS 9625 A-1URunout side A
ILPS 9625 B-1U GRAEME - SOUND CLINICRunout side B
STERLING MLPS 9625-A-5Side A etched runouts Variant 1, except stamped STERLNG
STERLING MLPS 9625 B CP1 CSide B etched runouts Variant 1, except stamped "C STERLING"
STERLING MLPS 9625 A CP2Side A runouts Variant 2
STERLING MLPS 9625 B CP2Side B runouts Variant 2
MLPS 9625 A CP 1 STERLINGSide A etched, STERLING stamped: variant 1
MLPS 9625 B CP1 STERLINGSide B etched, STERLING stamped: variant 1
MLPS 9625 A SM2 STERLINGSide A etched, STERLING stamped: variant 2
MLPS 9625 B SM2 STERLINGSide B etched, STERLING stamped: variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Island Records L 37609LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Brazil | Island Records 203775First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Island Records MLPS-9625First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Island Records 203 775 / Island Records 203 775-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Island Records 6313 182First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Island Records 6313 182First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Island Records 203 775 / Island Records 203 775-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Island Records 14C 062-64622First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19625First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Island Records 25S-145First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Island Records 203.775 / Island Records 203 775-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Island Records 203 775 / Island Records 203 775-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Island Records 203.775 / Island Records 203 775-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Island Records L 37609First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | Island Records ILPS 29625First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Island Records 535 158-8 / Universal Music Operations Ltd. 00600753515884LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | Island Records 535 158-8 / Universal Music Operations Ltd. 600753515884LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2026 | Europe | Island Records 535 158-8LP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Island Records 203 775LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 203 775 / Mango 203 775LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Jamaica | Island Records ILPS 9625LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | Jamaica | Island Records MSC 305325LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9625LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Island Records ILPS 9625LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
37 vinyl pressings of Red are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1981 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9625, released June 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9625, MLPS-9625, 203775, 203 775) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9625 A-1U 2 3 and ILPS 9625 B-4U 2 2 GRAEME - SOUND CLINIC. 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.
