Vinyl pressings
by Manfred Mann's Earth Band · 1982
Somewhere In Afrika was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 10 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.
205077 A-2 II RAYS Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 1
205077 B-2/82 S III Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 1
205077 A-2 III Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 2
205077 B-2/82 S III III RAYS Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 2
205077 A-2 IIRunout side A, variant 1
205077 B-2/82 S III IIRunout side B, variant 1
S 205077 A-2 II RAYS Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 2
S 205077 B-2/82 S III II. Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 2
Made in Germany 018 205077 A-2 3 SMX59257 RAYSRunout Side A etched, except "Made in Germany" stamped & then crossed-out, "205077 A-2" stamped
Made in Germany 018 205077 B-2/82 S III 6 SMX59258Runout Side B stamped, except "018" & "SMX59258" etched
MPO WEA 893 051 ASide A, runout
MPO WEA 893 051 BSide B, runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Bronze L 37898First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Australia | Bronze BZL-37898LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Europe | Bronze 205 077 / Bronze 205 077-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Bronze 46 166 5LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1982 | Europe | Bronze 205 077 / Bronze 205 077-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Bronze 46 166 5LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1982 | France | Bronze 893 051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | Bronze 893 051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Bronze 205 077-320LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Germany | Bronze 205077LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1982 | Ireland | Bronze BRON 543First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Bronze L 37896First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Norway | Bronze BRON-543 / Bronze BRON 543First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Portugal | Bronze 205 077First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Bronze BRON-543 / Bronze BRON 543First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Cohesion COMME 5LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Creature Music MANNLP013LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Greece | Bronze 812120-1LP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| ? | UK | Legacy Records LLP 125LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
42 vinyl pressings of Somewhere In Afrika are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1982 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in Europe, Australia, France, Ireland and more. One of them is Bronze 205 077.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 205 077, L 37898, 893 051, BRON 543) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 205077 A-2 II RAYS Made in Germany and 205077 B-2/82 S III Made in Germany. 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.
