Vinyl pressings
by Kid Creole And The Coconuts · 1982
Tropical Gangsters was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 19 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.
204669 A-1/82S II Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 1
204669 B-1/82S II Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 1
204669 A-1/82S II IIRunout side A, variant 2
204669 B-1/82S II IIRunout side B, variant 2
ILPS 7016 A - 1U GRAEME - SOUND CLINICRunout A (Variant 1)
ILPS 7016 B - 1URunout B (Variant 1)
ILPS 7016 A - 4U-1-1 GRAEME - SOUND CLINICRunout A (Variant 2)
ILPS 7016 B - 2U-1-1Runout B (Variant 2)
ILPS 7016 A-1U ORAEME-SOUND CLINIC 2Side A runout
ILPS 7016 B-1U 3Side B runout
ILPS 7016 A-1U GRAEME - SOUND CLINIC 5Side A runout, variant 1
ILPS 7016 B-1U 4 1Side B runout, variant 1
ILPS 7016 A-2U-1-1- 40 GRAEME - SOUND CLINICSide A runout, variant 2
ILPS 7016 B-1U 1Side B runout, variant 2
SRK-1-3681-RE-1-WW1 #3 ─◁ MASTERDISK HWRunout A, etched - variant 1
SRK-2-3681-WW1 ─◁ MASTERDISK-BKRunout B, etched - variant 1
SRK-1-3681-RE-1-WW1 ─◁ MASTERDISK HWRunout A, etched - variant 2
SRK-2-3681-WW2 ─◁ MASTERDISKRunout B, etched - variant 2
MASTERDISKBoth Sides, Stamped, All Variants
SRK-1-3681-RE1-LW2 HWRunout A, Etched, Variant 1
SRK-2-3681-LW3Runout B, Etched, Variant 1
SRK-1-3681-RE-1-LW1 · HWRunout A, Etched, Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Canada | ZE Records XSR 3681 / Sire XSR 3681First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | ZE Records XSR 3681 / Sire XSR 3681First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Sire XSR 3681First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | ZE Records 204 669 / ZE Records 204 669-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | ZE Records 6313 357 / Island Records 6313 357First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | ZE Records 204 669-320 / Island Records 204 669First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Island Records 29 123 7LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1982 | Germany | ZE Records 204 669 / ZE Records 204 669-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | ZE Records 14C 062 64882 / ZE Records 14C 062-64882First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | ZE Records ILPS 7016 / Island Records ILPS 7016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Israel | ZE Records BAN 127016 / Island Records BAN 127016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | ZE Records ILPS 17016 / Island Records ILPS 17016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | ZE Records 25S-125 / Island Records 25S-125First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | ZE Records 25S-125First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | New Zealand | ZE Records L 37852 / Island Records L 37852First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Island Records 774 427-9 / UMC 774 427-9LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | ZE Records 204 669LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Europe | ZE Records ILPS 7016 / Island Records ILPS 7016LP, Album | LP, Album |
36 vinyl pressings of Tropical Gangsters are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1982 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in Europe, UK, US, France and more. One of them is ZE Records 204 669.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 204 669, ILPS 7016, PILPS 7016, SRK 3681) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 204669 A-1/82S II Made in Germany and 204669 B-1/82S II Made in Germany. 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.
