Vinyl pressings
by Linton Kwesi Johnson · 1980
LKJ In Dub 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.
6 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 5 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 9650 A-2U JONZ 41A side runout variant 1
ILPS 9650 B-2U 51 SOUND CLINICB side runout variant 1
ILPS 9650 A-2U 7 1 JONZA side runout variant 2
ILPS 9650 B-2U 4 1 SOUND CLINICB side runout variant 2
A-1 ⟷ MLPS-9650-A STERLINGVariant 1 runout side A
B-1 ⟷ ᐉ MLPS-9650-B-RE1 STERLINGVariant 1 runout side B
A-1 ᐉ MLPS-9650-A STERLINGVariant 2 runout side A
B-1 ᐉ MLPS-9650-B-REI STERLINGVariant 2 runout side B
MLPS-9650-A STERLING B-1 ⟷Side A runout
MLPS-9650-B-REI STERLING B-1 ⟷ ◅Side B runout
MLPS 9650-ASide A label
MLPS 9650-BSide B label
012 6313259 1 380 POLYGRAM A1Side A
012 6313259 2 380 POLYGRAM A5Side B
6313 259 1A-Side Label
6313 259 2B-Side Label
203181 A-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout A
203181 B-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout B
S 203 181 ALabel A
S 203 181 BLabel B
203.181-A//46509-1-Y CRRunout side A, etched
203.181-B//46510-1-YRunout side B, etched
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 | France | Island Records 6313 259First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Island Records 203 181 / Island Records 203 181-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Island Records 203 181First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Mango MLPS-9650First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Mango MLPS-9650First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9650First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | Island Records ILPS 29650LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9650LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9650LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Zimbabwe | Island Records ILPS 29650LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | Island Records ILPC 29650LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Zimbabwe | Island Records ILPS 29650LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Mango MLPS-9650LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Island Records 203 181LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Island Records 203 181-320 / Island Records 203 181LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9650LP, Test Pressing, Single Sided · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Single Sided · Test pressing |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9650LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of LKJ In Dub are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1980 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9650, released November 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9650, MLPS-9650, 6313 259, 203 181) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9650 A-2U JONZ 41 and ILPS 9650 B-2U 51 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.
