Vinyl pressings
by John Kongos · 1971
Kongos was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 7 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.
FLY 7 A-2U 1 P BHRunout side A, variant 1
FLY 7 B-2U 1 OD BobilRunout side B, variant 1
FLY 7 A-2U II BH--Runout side A, variant 2
FLY 7 B-2U Bobil GO 1Runout side B, variant 2
C 85833 A-1 Made in GermanySide A, Stamped
C 85833 B-1 Made in GermanySide B, Stamped
85 833 ALabel Side A
85 833 BLabel Side B
FLY 7 ALabel, side A
FLY 7 BLabel, side B
FLY 7 A-2U Bol [?]
FLY 7 B-2U Bobil [?]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | His Master's Voice OCSD-7684First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Ariola 85 833 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Stateside SSL 6118 / Stateside SSLM 6118First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Scandinavia | Sonet SLP-3013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | South Africa | RPM RPM 1063First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Spain | Ariola 85.833-IFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Fly Records HIFLY 7 / Fly Records Hifly 7First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | Regal Zonophone 2C 064-93.134LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | CBS S 64766 / Fly Records S 64766LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Mexico | Cube Records 28001 / Polydor 2338 010LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EKS-75019LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EKS-75019LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EKS-75019LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EKS-75019LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EKS-75019LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | UK | See For Miles Records Ltd. SEE 221LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of Kongos are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1971 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, Australia, Germany, New Zealand and more. One of them is Fly Records HIFLY 7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HIFLY 7, OCSD-7684, 85 833 IT, SSL 6118) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FLY 7 A-2U 1 P BH and FLY 7 B-2U 1 OD Bobil. 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.
