Vinyl pressings
by Kate Bush · 1986
The Big Sky (Special Single Mix) was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
KB 4 A-1U - 1 - 1 - 1 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, variant 1
KB 4 B-1U - 1 - 3 -- 1 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, variant 1
TOWNHOUSE KB 4 A-1U- 1 - 1 - X1 DSide A runout, variant 2
D TOWNHOUSE KB 4 B-1U- 1 - 1 - 2Side B runout, variant 2
FB 7 -XSide A runout
KB 4 B-1U - 1 - 1 D TOWNHOUSESide B runout
12 KB 4 A-2U-1-1- DSide-A, stamped, variant 1
12 KB 4 B-2U-1-1-X1 DSide-B, stamped, variant 1
12 KB 4 A-2U-1-2-4 DSide-A, stamped, variant 2
12 KB 4 B-2U-1-1- DSide-B, stamped, variant 2
KBP 4A1 ∙ORLAKE∙Side A, Etched
KBP 4B1 ∙ORLAKE∙Side B, Etched
12 KB 4 A-2U-1-1- D TOWNHOUSESide A runout
12 KB 4 B-2U-1-1- D TOWNHOUSESide B runout
12 KB 4 A-2 U-1- D TOWNHOUSESide A runout
LPFB 12Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | EMI EMI 1794First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI ED.212First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI EMI.1794 / EMI EMI 1794First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI ED.212First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America S-75144 / EMI America S 75144First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America B-72300 / EMI America B 72300First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1A 006-20 1210 7 / EMI 006 20 1210 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1A 006-20 1210 7 / EMI 006 20 1210 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | EMI 12 KB 4First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | EMI 12 KB 4First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1986 | US | EMI America B-8327First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | EMI America V-19213First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | EMI America SPRO9701First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Germany | EMI 1C 006 20 1210 7First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | EMI KB 4First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Poland | Art & Muzyka ARM ‒ 22148 ‒ 1Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 3234Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 3234Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 3234Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
23 vinyl pressings of The Big Sky (Special Single Mix) are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Germany, Europe and more. One of them is EMI KB 4, released April 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KB 4, 12KB 4, KBP 4, 12 KB 4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KB 4 A-1U - 1 - 1 - 1 TOWNHOUSE and KB 4 B-1U - 1 - 3 -- 1 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
