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Cuba by Gibson Brothers, album cover

Vinyl pressings

Cuba

by Gibson Brothers · 1979

32 pressings24 countriesDiscoFunk / SoulPop

Cuba 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.

How to spot a first pressing of Cuba

30 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 22 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.

France

1979
Label and catalog number
Zagora 9198 273
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

9198273A ZAG 9198273 A POLYGRAM 010 A3Stamped & etched ("9198273A") runout, side A version 1

9198273B ZAG 9198273 B 010 POLYGRAM A1Stamped & etched ("9198273B") runout, side B version 1

9198273 A/0 (illegible acronym) POLYGRAM 010 9198273 1Stamped & etched ("9198273 A/0 (illegible acronym)" hand etched) runout, side A version 2

A3 9198273 B A(scratched)10 POLYGRAM 010 9198273 2Stamped & etched ("A3 9198273 B A(scratched)10" hand etched) runout, side B version 2

Full details of this pressing

UK

1979
Label and catalog number
Island Records ILPS 9579
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

ILPS 9579 A-1U JONZSide A runout, stamped, 'JONZ' is etched

ILPS 9579 B-1U SOUND CLINICSide B runout, stamped, 'SOUND CLINIC' is etched

ILPS 9579-ASide A label

ILPS 9579-BSide B label

Full details of this pressing

US

1979
Label and catalog number
Island Records ILPS 9579Island Records ILPS-9579
Format
LP, Album · Winchester Pressing
Runout / matrix

ILPS-1-9579-WW1 STERLINGSide A runout

ILPS-2-9579-WW1 STERLINGSide B runout

Full details of this pressing

US

1979
Label and catalog number
Island Records ILPS 9579Island Records ILPS-9579
Format
LP, Album · Los Angeles Pressing
Runout / matrix

ILPS-1-9579-LW2 • – STERLINGSide A runout

ILPS-2-9579-LW2 • – ✲ STERLINGSide B runout

Full details of this pressing

US

1979
Label and catalog number
Island Records ILPS 9579Island Records ILPS-9579
Format
LP, Album · Jacksonville Pressing
Runout / matrix

ILPS-1-9579-JW1 STERLING OSide A runout

ILPS-2-9579-JW1 STERLING OSide B runout

Full details of this pressing

Argentina

1979
Label and catalog number
Island Records SUP.80.048Island Records SUP 2438-80.048
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

MIC 80048 AEtched on A Side Run Out Groove

MIC 80048 BEtched on B Side Run Out Groove

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 32 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s30 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1979ArgentinaIsland Records SUP.80.048 / Island Records SUP 2438-80.048First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979AustraliaRCA Victor VPL14159First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979AustraliaRCA Victor TDS-053First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
1979Australia & New ZealandRCA Victor VPL1 4159First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1979BrazilTop Tape 504.7066First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979BrazilTop Tape TT-188First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1979CanadaIsland Records ILPS-9579First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979FranceZagora 9198 273First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1979GermanyPolydor 2374 149First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979GermanyPolydor 2374 149First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979GreeceMusic-Box M. BOX 40062 / Music-Box SMB 40062First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979GreeceMusic-Box SMB 40062 / Music-Box MB 40062First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979IsraelTeen Records DD35274First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979ItalyAriston ARLP/12355 / Ariston AR/LP/12355First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979JamaicaIsland Records ILPS 9579First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
All 30 pressings from the 1970s
1980s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1980PhilippinesApril Records APL-3439 / April Records 9198 273LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
Year unknown1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?UruguayRenew Variety Records 3007LP, AlbumLP, Album

Tracklist

  1. A1Cuba7:28
  2. A2Oooh, What A Life...5:42
  3. A3West Indies5:00
  4. B1Better Do It Salsa !6:43
  5. B2You4:25
  6. B3Que Sera Mi Vida (If You Should Go)5:55

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Cuba are there?

32 vinyl pressings of Cuba are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.

When was Cuba first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1979, in France, UK, US, Argentina and more. One of them is Zagora 9198 273.

How do I tell if my copy of Cuba is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9198 273, ILPS 9579, SUP.80.048, VPL14159) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 9198273A ZAG 9198273 A POLYGRAM 010 A3 and 9198273B ZAG 9198273 B 010 POLYGRAM A1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Cuba 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.

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