Vinyl pressings
by Linton Kwesi Johnson · 1980
Bass Culture was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 14 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 9605 A-1U 13 JONZ BUY AND READ RACE TODAYA-side runout, variant 1
ILPS 9605 B-1U SOUND CLINICB-side runout, variant 1
ILPS 9605 A-1U 16 JONZ BUY AND READ "RACE TODAY" 1A-side runout, variant 2
ILPS 9605 B-1U JONZ 6 SOUND CLINIC 1B-side runout, variant 2
ILPS 9605 A-1U 13 JONZ BUY AND READ RACE TODAYA-Side Runout Groove
ILPS 9605 B-1U SOUND CLINICB-Side Runout Groove
ILPS 9605 A-1U BUY AND READ "RACE TODAY"A-Side runout
ILPS 9605 B-1U SOUND CLINICB-Side runout
ILPS 9605-A-1UA-side
ILPS 9605-B-1UB-side
A-1 ⟷ ᐉ MLPS-9605-A K1Runout A, variant 1
A-1 ⟷ ᐉ MLPS-9605-B K1Runout B, variant 1
A-1 ◁ MLPS-9605-A K1Runout A, variant 2
A-1 ◁ MLPS-9605-B K1 STERLINGRunout B, variant 2
MLPS-9605-A CS1Runout
MLPS-9605-B CS2Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Island Records L 37341First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | Island Records 202 311First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Mango MLPS 9605First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Island Records 6313 050First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Island Records 202 211-320 / Island Records 202.211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Island Records 202 211 / Island Records 202 211-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Ireland | Island Records ILPS 9605First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19605First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Island Records ILS-81415First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Island Records ILS-81415First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Island Records 202 211 / Island Records 202.211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Island Records 202 211 / Island Records 202.211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Island Records 202 211 / Island Records 202.211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Island Records 202 211-320 / Island Records 202.211First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Island Records L 37341First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | Island Records 202 211 / Mango 202 211LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Germany | Island Records 5778874LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Island Records 202 211LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Island Records 202 211-320 / Island Records 202 211LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Island Records 202.211 / Island Records 202 211LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9605LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Mango MLPS 9605LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
39 vinyl pressings of Bass Culture are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1980 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9605, released April 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9605, MLPS 9605, L 37341, 202 311) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9605 A-1U 13 JONZ BUY AND READ RACE TODAY and ILPS 9605 B-1U SOUND CLINIC. 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.
