Vinyl pressings
by King Sunny Ade & His African Beats · 1983
Synchro System was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 11 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.
ILPS 9737 A-1U-1-1-2 GRAEMESide A runout stamped/etched Variant 1
ILPS 9737 B-1U-1-1-2Side B runout stamped Variant 1
ILPS 9737 A-1U-1-1-1Side A runout stamped Variant 2
ILPS 9737 B-1U-1-1-1Side B runout stamped Variant 2
ILPS 9737 A 1U 1 1 4 GRAEMESide A
ILPS 9737 B 1U 1 1 1Side B
MLPS-9737-A-PRO-R1-1-2-2 STERLINGRunout side A · Variant 1
MLPS-9737-B-PRO-R-1-1-1Runout side B · Variant 1
MLPS-9737-A-HRM2 STERLING A2 ⟷Runout side A · Variant 2
MLPS-9737-B-HRM2 STERLING B- ⟷Runout side B · Variant 2
MLPS-9737-A-HRM3 ☆ STERLING A ⟷A-side runout etching, STERLING stamped
MLPS-9737-B-HRM1 ☆ STERLING A-1 ⟷B-side runout etching, STERLING stamped
MLPS 9737 AA-side label
MPLS 9737 BB-side label
XILP-9737-A
XILP-9737-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Island Records XILP 9737First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Island Records XILP 9737First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Island Records ISL 9737 / Island Records XILP 9737First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Island Records 205 546 / Island Records 205 546-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Island Records 812 609-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19737First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Island Records 25S-172 / Polystar 25S-172First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Island Records L 38131First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | Island Records ILPS 9737-PFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | Island Records I - 205.546First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Sweden | Island Records ILPS 9737First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9737First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1983 | US | Mango MLPS 9737First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Mango MLPS 9737First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Mango MLPS 9737First yearLP, White Label | LP, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Island Records 205 546LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Island Records L 38131LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
18 vinyl pressings of Synchro System are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9737, released June 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9737, MLPS 9737, XILP 9737, ISL 9737) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9737 A-1U-1-1-2 GRAEME and ILPS 9737 B-1U-1-1-2. 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.
