Vinyl pressings
by Imagination · 1981
Flashback 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.
11 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 6 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.
D124 GEOFFR RBS-206-A4 DAMONTRunout Side A
GEOFFR RBS-206-B-4 D124 DAMONTRunout Side B
GEOFFR RBS-206 A3Runout variant 1
GEOFFR RBS-206 B3 DAMONTRunout variant 1
GEOFFZ RBS 206 A3 DAMONTRunout Side A
GEOFFZ RBS 206 B3 DAMONTRunout Side B
RBL 206 A2 DAMONTRunout etched side A
RBL 20 5̶ 6 AA1 ƱTOPIARunout etched side B
RBS 206 A2 DAMONT UTOPIARunout area side A
RBS 206 B1 DAMONTRunout area side B
RBS 206-ALabel side A
RBS 206-BLabel side B
ƱTOPIA RBS 206 A2 ΛEtched runout side A variant 1
RBS 205̶ 6 ΛEtched runout side B variant 1
RBS 206 A2 8 ƱTOPIAEtched runout side A variant 2
RBS 205̶ 6 B1 ΛEtched runout side B variant 2
MC 12250 W2Runout Side A
MC 12681E W2Runout Side B
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 | Belgium | Red Bus Records 28.296First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Belgium | Red Bus Records WEA 18.899First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Black Sun BS-015First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | Italy | F1 Team P 608First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Red Bus Records WEA 28.296First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | R & B Records RBL 206First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | R & B Records RBL 20612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress |
| 1981 | UK | R & B Records RBS 206First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | R & B Records RBS 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-52007First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | R & B Records RBS 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | R & B Records RBS 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Ariola 600 631 / Ariola 600 631-21312", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1982 | Europe | Ariola 600 631 / Ariola 600 631-21312", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Ariola 600 631 / Red Bus Records 600 63112", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | R & B Records RBL20612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of Flashback are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1981 and 2010.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Belgium, Canada and more. One of them is R & B Records RBS 206, released October 30, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RBS 206, RBL 206, MCA-52007, 28.296) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, D124 GEOFFR RBS-206-A4 DAMONT and GEOFFR RBS-206-B-4 D124 DAMONT. 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.
