Vinyl pressings
by Burning Spear · 1979
Harder Than The Best was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 5 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.
A-1 ᐉ MLPS 9567 A sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢA etched / ᐉ, sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped
A-2 ᐉ MLPS 9567 B sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢB etched / ᐉ, sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped
MLPS-9567-AA label
MLPS-9567-BB label
200827 / A-1/79S Made in GermanyStamped in Seite 1 runout:
200827 / B-1/79S Made in GermanyStamped in Seite 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Benelux | Island Records 200 827-320First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | France | Island Records 9123.049 / Island Records 9123 049First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Germany | Island Records 200 827-320First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9567First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | US | Mango MLPS 9567First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Island Records ILPS 9567First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | South Africa | Island Records ML 4362LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Island Records 200 827LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 200 827 - 320LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 200 827 - 320 / Island Records 200 827 - 270LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9567LP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| ? | US | Mango MLPS 9567LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
12 vinyl pressings of Harder Than The Best are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Benelux, France and more. One of them is Mango MLPS 9567.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MLPS 9567, ILPS 9567, 200 827-320, 9123.049) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A-1 ᐉ MLPS 9567 A sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ and A-2 ᐉ MLPS 9567 B sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ. 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.
