Vinyl pressings
by Dollar Brand Quartet · 1979
Africa - Tears And Laughter 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.
3 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 2 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.
IP ENJA 3039-A-2 SSTRunout side A, variant 1
IP ENJA 3039-B SSTRunout side B, variant 1
IP ENJA 3039-A-2 Made in Germany SSTRunout side A, variant 2
IP ENJA 3039-B Made in Germany SSTRunout side B, variant 2
(EJ-3039-A)Side A Label
(EJ-3039-B)Side B Label
(EJ-3039-A)Side A Label
(EJ-3039-B)Side B Label
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 | Japan | Enja Records RJ-7495First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Enja Records RJ-7495First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Germany | Enja Records enja 3039 / Enja Records enja 3039 STFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Portugal | Enja Records 3039 / Dargil 3039LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Inner City Records IC 3031LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Enja Records 28MJ 3124LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Japan | Enja Records 28MJ 3124LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Germany | Enja Records enja 3039LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Germany | Enja Records enja 3039LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1983 | Germany | Enja Records enja 3039 / Enja Records enja 3039 STLP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Africa - Tears And Laughter are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1979 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Germany, Japan. One of them is Enja Records enja 3039, released June 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use enja 3039, RJ-7495) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IP ENJA 3039-A-2 SST and IP ENJA 3039-B SST. 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.
