Nigeria
1981- Label and catalog number
- Lagos International Records LIR 2
- Format
- LP, Album
Fela KutiOriginal Suffer Head
Vinyl pressings
Original Suffer Head
by Fela Kuti · 1981
21 pressings10 countriesAfrobeatFunkJazzFunk / Soul
Original Suffer Head 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Original Suffer Head
6 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
UK
1981- Label and catalog number
- Arista SPART 1177
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
SPART 1177 A/1▽ETH TOWNHOUSEStamped
SPART 1177 B/1▽ETT TOWNHOUSEStamped
France
1981- Label and catalog number
- Arista 204 048
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
204048 A-1/82 S IIIVariant 1 runout side A
204048 B-1/82 S IIIVariant 1 runout side B
204048 A-1/82 S III Made in GermanyVariant 2 runout stamped side A
204048 B-1/82 S III Made in GermanyVariant 2 runout stamped side A
Germany
1981- Label and catalog number
- Arista SPART 1177
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
204048 A-1/82 S III Made in GermanySide A runout, stamped
204048 B-1/82 S III II. Made in GermanySide B runout, stamped ["II." etched]
S 204 048 ASide A label
S 204 048 BSide B label
Germany
1981- Label and catalog number
- Arista SPART 1177
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
204048 A-1/82 S III Made in GermanySide A runout, stamped
204048 B-1/82 S III II. Made in GermanySide B runout, stamped ["II." etched]
S 204 048 ASide A label
S 204 048 BSide B label
Scandinavia
1981- Label and catalog number
- Arista SPART 1177
- Format
- LP, Album
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 21 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s19 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | France | Arista 204 048First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Arista SPART 1177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Arista SPART 1177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Nigeria | Lagos International Records LIR 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Arista SPART 1177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Arista SPART 1177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Arista 204 048LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Arista 204 048LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Arista 204 048LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Arista 204 048LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Arista 204 048LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | Arista SPART 1177 / Polygram 6483 339LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | Arista SPART 1177 / Polygram 6483 339LP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1982 | Italy | Arista ARS 39132LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Arista 25RS-154LP, Album | LP, Album |
2020s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | US | Knitting Factory Records KFR2039-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2024 | US | Knitting Factory Records KFR2039-3 / Knitting Factory Records KFR2039-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
Tracklist
- AOriginal Suffer Head21:12
- B1Original Suffer Head (Cont.)
- B2Power Show14:55
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Original Suffer Head are there?
21 vinyl pressings of Original Suffer Head are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1981 and 2024.
When was Original Suffer Head first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Nigeria, UK, France, Germany and more. One of them is Lagos International Records LIR 2.
How do I tell if my copy of Original Suffer Head is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LIR 2, SPART 1177, 204 048) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Original Suffer Head on vinyl worth?
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.
