Vinyl pressings
by Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson · 1980
1980 was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
AL-9514-SA SM1 = SX 1 SRunout side A, variant 1
AL-9514-SB SM2 - SX 1 SRunout side B, variant 1
AL-9514-SA SM1 = SX B4 1 SRunout side A, variant 2
AL-9514-SB SM2 - C4 XS 1 SRunout side B, variant 2
AL-9514-SA TV2 1 HubRunout, side A
AL-9514-SB TV2 1 HubRunout, side B
AL 9514 SACenter label, side A
AL 9514 SBCenter label, side B
AL9514 - A 9-87282Side A
AL9514 - B ("B" scratched over stamped "A") 9-87283Side B
(AL 9514 SA)Center label, side A
(AL 9514 SB)Center label, Side B
AL-9514-SA SM4 - SXT S \Runout Side A etched, Var 2
AL-9514-SB SM4 - SX T S \Runout Side B etched, Var 2
AL-9514-SA SM3 = SX B S \Runout Side A etched, Var 3
AL-9514-SB SM4 - H S \ SXTRunout Side B etched, Var 3
AL-9514 SA K1, A-1 ◁Side A, variant 1
AL-9514 SB K1, B-1 ◁Side B, variant 1
AL-9514-SA K2 - B-1 ◁Side A, variant 2
AL-9514-SB K2 - A-1 ◁Side B, variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Arista L37324First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista AL 9514First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Philippines | Arista AR-1045First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Arista AL 9514First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Arista AL 9514First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Arista AL 9514LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | US | Arista AL 9514First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Arista AL 9514First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Arista AL-9514First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Arista ARS 39014First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Arista AL 9514LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Arista 201 733LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Arista 201 733LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Arista 201 733LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Arista 201 733LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of 1980 are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1980 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Italy, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Arista AL 9514.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 9514, AL-9514, ARS 39014, L37324) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-9514-SA SM1 = SX 1 S and AL-9514-SB SM2 - SX 1 S. 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.
