US
October 1975- Label and catalog number
- Groove Merchant GM-3308Groove Merchant GM 3308
- Format
- LP, Album · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
SGM 3308 A-RM FW/NYC Al BrownSide A runout
GM3308B-1 Al Brown FW/NYCSide B runou
GM 3308-ALabel A
GM 3308-BLabel B
Lonnie SmithAfro-Desia
Vinyl pressings
Afro-Desia
by Lonnie Smith · 1975
10 pressings3 countriesFusionJazz-FunkJazz
Afro-Desia was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Afro-Desia
6 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 2 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.
US
October 1975- Label and catalog number
- Groove Merchant GM-3308Groove Merchant GM 3308
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
GM 3308 A-1 Al Brown FW/NYCA-side hand-etched runout inscription
GM 3308 B-1 Al Brown FW/NYCB-side hand-etched runout inscription
GM 3308-ALabel A
GM 3308-BLabel B
US
October 1975- Label and catalog number
- Groove Merchant GM-3308Groove Merchant GM 3308
- Format
- LP, Album · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
SGM 3308 A-RM FW/NYC Al BrownRunout A, hand-etched
GM3308B-1 Al Brown FW/NYCRunout B, hand-etched
GM 3308-ALabel A
GM 3308-BLabel B
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Groove Merchant GM-3308Groove Merchant GM 3308
- Format
- LP, Album · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
SGM 3308 A-RM FW/NYC Al BrownRunout A, hand-etched
GM3308B-1 Al Brown FW/NYCRunout B, hand-etched
GM 3308-ALabel A
GM 3308-BLabel B
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Groove Merchant GM-3308Groove Merchant GM 3308
- Format
- LP, Album · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
GM 3308 B-2 al Brown A FW/OA T1A-side runout etching
GM 3308 B-2 al Brown A FW/OA T1B-side runout etching
GM 3308-ALabel A
GM 3308-BLabel B
Canada
1975- Label and catalog number
- Groove Merchant GM-3308Groove Merchant GM 3308
- Format
- LP, Album · Unipak
- Runout / matrix
GM-3308-S1A runout etched
GM-3308-S2B runout etched
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 10 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Canada | Groove Merchant GM-3308 / Groove Merchant GM 3308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Groove Merchant GM-3308 / Groove Merchant GM 3308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Groove Merchant GM-3308 / Groove Merchant GM 3308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Groove Merchant GM-3308 / Groove Merchant GM 3308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Groove Merchant GM-3308 / Groove Merchant GM 3308First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Groove Merchant GM-3308 / Groove Merchant GM 3308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
2020s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Canada | Unidisc GMLP-3308LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | UK | Mr Bongo MRBLP297LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2024 | UK | Groove Merchant GM-3308 / Mr Bongo MRBLP297LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Year unknown1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Groove Merchant GM-3308 / Groove Merchant GM 3308LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1Afrodesia9:18
- A2Spirits Free15:00
- B1Straight To The Point6:54
- B2Favors10:00
- B3The Awakening8:00
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Afro-Desia are there?
10 vinyl pressings of Afro-Desia are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1975 and 2024.
When was Afro-Desia first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, Canada. One of them is Groove Merchant GM-3308, released October 1975.
How do I tell if my copy of Afro-Desia is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GM-3308) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SGM 3308 A-RM FW/NYC Al Brown and GM3308B-1 Al Brown FW/NYC. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Afro-Desia on vinyl worth?
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.