Vinyl pressings
by Grace Jones · 1985
Island Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 16 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.
GJ 1 A - 2U - 1 - 2 - X1 SOUND CLINICA side runout, variant 1
GJ 1 B - 2U - 1 - 2 - X1 JONZB side runout, variant 1
GJ 1 A-1U-1- 1 SOUND CLINICA side runout, variant 2
G J ̶ ̶#̶ 1 B-1U-1- 1 JONZB side runout, variant 2
S11 M1SF2SM1 SP0-1 ST-IL-855887-B-DMM ED JR STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
M1SF1SM1 ED ST-IL-855888-B-DMM SP-01SM1-1 JR STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
Ƨ11 M1SF2SM1 SP0-1 SM 1-1 ST-IL-855887-B-DMM ED JR STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
M1SF1SM1 ED ST-IL-855888-B-DMM SP-01SM1-1 JR STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
ST-IL855887-B-DMM ED JR STERLING MI SFI SM2 0- B-22343-B Δ11263Side A Etched
ST-IL-855888-B-DMM JR STERLING MI SFI SM3 0- Δ11263-X ED B-22344-BSide B Etched
ST-IL855887-ARSide A Label
ST-IL-85888-ARSide B Label
SMX-66377 W2ARunout (Etched) Side A
SMX-66378 W2A3Runout (Etched) Side B
S̶M̶X̶ ̶6̶6̶3̶9̶4̶ SMX 66393 RG2A JLRunout (Etched) Side C
SMX-66394 W2B JRunout (Etched) Side D
ISL 1050-A (CR)Side A runout etched [(CR) stamped]
ISL 1050-B (CR)Side B runout etched [(CR) stamped]
ISL 1050ASide A label matrix
ISL 1050BSide B label matrix
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Island Records RML 52059 / Island Records GJ 1First yearLP, 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, All Media, Compilation · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, All Media, Compilation · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1985 | Canada | Island Records ISL 1050First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Europe | Island Records 207 472 / Island Records 207 472-630First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Island Records 207 472 / Island Records 207 472-270First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Europe | Island Records 207 472First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | France | Island Records 826 609-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Germany | Island Records 43 598 2LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1985 | Greece | Island Records VG71422First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Greece | Island Records 71422 / Island Records ISLAND 71422First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Ireland | Island Records GJ 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Israel | Island Records BAN GJ1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | Island Records GJ 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Italy | Island Records GJ 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Italy | Island Records GJ 1LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Island Records RML 52059First yearLP, Compilation, 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, All Media, Compilation · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, All Media, Compilation · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Brazil | Island Records 8424531LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1990 | Brazil | Island Records 8424531LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1991 | Argentina | Island Records 842 453-1LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1992 | Europe | Island Records 207 472LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Island Records 535 142-8 / Island Records 0600753514283LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Island Records TLP-60193LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | South Africa | Island Records ILPC 26LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
40 vinyl pressings of Island Life are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1985 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Island Records GJ 1, released December 2, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GJ 1, 7 90491-1, RML 52059, ISL 1050) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GJ 1 A - 2U - 1 - 2 - X1 SOUND CLINIC and GJ 1 B - 2U - 1 - 2 - X1 JONZ. 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.
