Vinyl pressings
by Kajagoogoo · 1984
Islands was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 17 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.
EMC 2401161 A-1U-1-1-Runout side A, stamped variant 1
EMC 2401161 B-1U-1-2Runout side B, stamped variant 1
EMC 2401161 A-1U-1-1-5Runout side A, stamped variant 2
EMC 2401161 B-1U-1-2Runout side B, stamped variant 2
ST-1-17157-Z1 #2Runout side A, etched, variant 1
ST-2-17157-Z1 #1Runout side B, etched, variant 1
ST-1-17157-Z1 #1 [symbol] 0Runout side A, etched, variant 2
ST-2-17157-Z1 #1 [symbol] 0Runout side B, etched, variant 2
EMC-2401161-A 1S2 7 4-5Side A runout
EMC-2401161-B 12Side B runout
EMC-2401161-ASide A label
EMC-2401161-BSide B label
ST-17157-1-1A-2HZRunout side A, etched
ST-17157-2-1B-2HZRunout side B, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | EMI 81 2401161 8237First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | EMI America ST-17157First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1A 064-2401161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1C 064 2401161 / EMI 2401161First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1C 064 2401161 / EMI 1C 064 2401 161First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1C 064 2401161 / EMI 1C 064 2401 161First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | EMI 2401161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | EMI 062-2401161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | EMI 062-2401161LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | India | EMI EMC 24011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Ireland | EMI EMC 2401161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Israel | Portrait EMC 24 0116 / Portrait SP 8405GLFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | EMI 64 240 1161First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | EMI S30-103First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1984 | Japan | EMI EMS-91081LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of Islands are listed here, from 17 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Japan, South Korea and more. One of them is EMI KAJA 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KAJA 1, ST-17157, EMS-91081, OLE-547) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMC 2401161 A-1U-1-1- and EMC 2401161 B-1U-1-2. 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.
