Vinyl pressings
by Linton Kwesi Johnson · 1979
Forces Of Victory was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 6 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 9566 A-1U JONZ P 1Side A runout variant 1
ILPS 9566 B-3U BUY AND READ 'RACE TODAY' H 1-Side B runout variant 1
ILPS 9566 A-1U GR JONZ 1Side A runout variant 2
ILPS 9566 B-3U BUY AND READ 'RACE TODAY' T 1Side B runout variant 2
MLPS-9566-A A-1 STERLINGRunout A variant 1
MLPS-9566-B A-1 STERLINGRunout B variant 1
MLPS-9566-A STERLING B-1 <-->Runout A variant 2
MLPS-9566-B STERLING B-2 <-->Runout B variant 2
MLPS-9566-A B-1 ⟷Side A runout
MLPS-9566-B B-1 ⟷Side B runout
MLPS-9566-ASide A label
MLPS-9566-BSide B label
I SL012 9101688 1Y 380 POLYGRAMAll variants, stamped, side A
ISL012 9101688 2Y 380 POLYGRAM DU 1All variants, stamped, side B
A1JVariant 1, stamped at 6 O'clock, side A
⠴ⴷVariant 1, stamped at 6 O'clock, side B
A4 ISL012 9101688 1Y 380 POLYGRAMRunout side A
A1 ISL012 9101688 2Y 380 POLYGRAM DU1Runout side B
200459 A-1/79SRunout stamp A
200459 B-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout stamp B
S 200 459 ALabel A
S 200 459 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | France | Island Records 9101 688First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Island Records 9101 688First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Island Records 200 459 / Island Records 200 459-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19566First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Island Records 200459 / Island Records 200.459First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Mango MLPS 9566First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Mango MLPS 9566First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9566First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Jamaica | Island Records ILPS 9566 TG / Island Records ILPS 9566LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1980 | South Africa | Island Records ILPS 29566LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | Island Records ML 4431 / Island Records ILPS 9566LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9566 / Island Records ILPS 9566(i)LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Island Records L 37017 / Island Records ILPS 9566LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Mango MLPS 9566 / Island Records MLPS-9566LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9566LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Germany | Island Records 200 459 / Island Records 200 459-320LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Island Records 200 459-320 / Island Records 200 459LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Island Records ILPM 9566LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| 1986 | US | Mango MLPS 9566LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Europe | Island Records 200 459LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Germany | Island Records 200 459LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Worldwide | Island Records 358 717-3 / Universal Music Recordings 00602435871738LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Compilation, All Media, Limited Edition, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Compilation, All Media, Limited Edition, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
22 vinyl pressings of Forces Of Victory are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1979 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9566, released April 6, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9566, MLPS 9566, 9101 688, 200 459) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9566 A-1U JONZ P 1 and ILPS 9566 B-3U BUY AND READ 'RACE TODAY' H 1-. 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.
