Vinyl pressings
by James Brown · 1970
Ain't It Funky was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
KS-1092-A-X5 RGRunout side A, etched, Variant 1
KS-1092-B-X4 RGRunout side B, etched, Variant 1
KS-1092-A-X RGRunout side A, etched, Variant 2
KS-1092-B-X2 RGRunout side B, etched, Variant 2
T I KS-1092-A RM BRunout side A
T I KS-1092-B RM 4Runout side B
KS-1092 (KS-1092 A)Label side A
KS-1092 (KS-1092 B)Label side B
KS-1092-A-X5 R21Side 1:
KS-1092-B-X4 R21Side 2:
2343 010 A//1▽420 111Stamped in runout, Side A
2343 010 B//1▽420 122Stamped in runout, Side B
2343-010 APrinted on label, Side A
2343-010 BPrinted on label, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | France | Polydor 2310 017First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2310 017First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2310 017First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1970 | Nigeria | Polydor 2310 017First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | King Records KS-1092First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | King Records KS-1092 / King Records KS-1092First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | US | King Records KS-1092 / King Records KS 1092First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | King Records KS-1092First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | US | King Records KS-1092 / King Records KS 1092LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1970 | US | King Records KS-1092 / King Records KS 1092First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Polydor 2343 010First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Polydor 2310 017LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Polydor KS 1092LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | US | Polydor KS 1092 / King Records KS 1092LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Polydor KS 1092LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of Ain't It Funky are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1970 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is King Records KS-1092, released January 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KS-1092, 2343 010, 2310 017) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KS-1092-A-X5 RG and KS-1092-B-X4 RG. 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.
