Vinyl pressings
by Jorge Ben · 1976
Tropical was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, 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.
A 5 ILPS-9390-A - SM /A KENDUN-bSide A Runout variant 1
A2 5 ILPS-9390-B - SM /B KENDUN-bSide B Runout variant 1
1S ILPS-9390-A - SM 1A KENDUN-b ASide A Runout variant 2
1S ILPS-9390-B - SM-1B KENDUN-b A2Side B Runout variant 2
p ILPS 9390 - A -P XX KENDUN- CRunout A, variant 1
p ILPS - 9390 - B -X P KENDUN- 2Runout B, variant 1
ILPS 9390 - A X-P KENDUN-bRunout A, variant 2
ILPS - 9390 - B - P KENDUN-bRunout B, variant 2
LPS-9390-AX-P Kendun-bSide A runouts
LPS-9390-B-P Kendun-bSide B runouts
ILPS-9390-ASide A label
ILPS-9390-BSide B label
9124350 A 1 520 2 80577 3Side A
9124 350 B 1 520280577Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9390First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Philips 9286 490First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Metronome 60.033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Philips 9124350First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Philips 9124 350First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Island Records ILPS 9390First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Island Records ILPS 9390First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Brazil | Philips 6349 326LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Philips FDX-334LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | Philips 9124 350LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Venezuela | Philips 40.158LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Philips 9124 350LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Unknown | Oficial Arquivos OA 7601LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | France | Klimt Records MJJ451CYLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Antilles AN 7055LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Antilles AN-7055LP, Album | LP, Album |
16 vinyl pressings of Tropical are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1976 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Canada, France, Germany and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9390.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9390, 9286 490, 60.033, 9124350) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A 5 ILPS-9390-A - SM /A KENDUN-b and A2 5 ILPS-9390-B - SM /B KENDUN-b. 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.
