Vinyl pressings
by Fela Kuti · 1981
Black-President 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.
12 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 9 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.
SPARTy 1167 A//1▽E ̸S̸C̸ TH TOWNHOUSE 1 1 1Runout side A, stamped
SPARTy 1167 B//1▽E TH TOWNHOUSE 1 1 2Runout side B, stamped
SPART 1167-ALabel side A
SPART 1167-BLabel side B
203 554-ARunout side A, hand-etched
203,554-B 554-B / 47804-1-YRunout side B, hand-etched
203.554-ALabel side A
203.554-BLabel side B
203554 A [AGI logo] 8 1_3 11 67. 2⃥ A TOWNHOUSERunout side A, stamped
203554 B TOWNHOUSE [AGI logo] 8 1_3 11672⃥ BRunout side B, stamped
203554 A-1 / 82S IRunout side A
203554 B-1 / 82S IRunout side B
S 203 554 ALabel side A
S 203 554 BLabel side B
77ARS 39110-1L 4-5-81 - DRunout Area Side 1
77ARS 39110-2L 4-5-81 - DRunout Area Side 2
77ARS 39110-1LLabel Side 1
77ARS 39110-2LLabel Side 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 | Benelux | Arista 203554 / Arista 203.554First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | France | Arista 203554First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | France | Arista 203554First yearLP, Compilation, Misprint | LP, Compilation, Misprint |
| 1981 | Germany | Arista 203 554First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Greece | Arista 6483 307First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Greece | Arista 6483307LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Italy | Arista ARS 39110First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Japan | Arista 25RS-134First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Arista 25RS-134First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Spain | Arista 203 554First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Spain | Arista I-203554 / Arista I-203.554First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | UK | Arista SPART 1167First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK & Europe | Arista 203 554 / Arista SPART 1167First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Arista 203554LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Europe | Arista 203 554LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label (Fela Kuti) FE01LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
24 vinyl pressings of Black-President are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1981 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Benelux, France, Germany and more. One of them is Arista SPART 1167.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SPART 1167, 203554, 203 554, 6483 307) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SPARTy 1167 A//1▽E ̸S̸C̸ TH TOWNHOUSE 1 1 1 and SPARTy 1167 B//1▽E TH TOWNHOUSE 1 1 2. 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.
