Vinyl pressings
by Manu Dibango · 1985
Electric Africa was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 7 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.
001 824745 1 // 1 380 POLYGRAM A3Runout, side A variant 1
001 824745 1 // 2 380 POLYGRAM A5Runout, side B variant 1
001 824745 1 // 1 380 POLYGRAM A9Runout, side A variant 2
001 824745 1 // 2 380 POLYGRAM ARunout, side B variant 2
[SNA logo] 6114 ASide A runout
[SNA logo] 6114 BSide B runout
CELL-6114-A1 Noel MT.1A-side runout etched
CELL-6114-B1 MT.1 DAMONTB-side runout etched
CELL 6114 A*A-side label
CELL 6114 B*B-side label
CELL-6114-A1 Noel MT1 DAMONT B
CELL -6114-B1 MT1 DAMONT A
CELL 6114- A MASTERDISK HUBSide A runout
CELL 6114-B- MASTERDISK HUBSide B runout
CELL 6114- A MASTERDISK HW HUBSide A runout
CELL 6114-B MASTERDISK HUBSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | France | Philips 824 745-1 / Celluloid 824 745-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Celluloid CELL 6114First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | Philips 824745-1 SAFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | Philips 824745-1 SAFirst yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Celluloid CELL 6114First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | Celluloid CELL 6114 / Streetwave CELL 6114First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Celluloid CELL 6114 / Streetwave CELL 6114First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1985 | US | Celluloid CELL 6114First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Celluloid CELL 6114First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Zimbabwe | Serengeti SER 132First yearLP | LP |
| 1985 | Germany | Polydor 827 014-1 / Streetwave 827 014-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | RCA Victor 7138017LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Brazil | RCA Victor 130.8017LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | US | Tidal Waves Music TWM10LP, Album, Limited Edition, Repress · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Repress · Limited |
| 2018 | US | Tidal Waves Music TWM10LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
15 vinyl pressings of Electric Africa are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1985 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in France, UK, US, Germany and more. One of them is Philips 824 745-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 824 745-1, CELL 6114, 827 014-1, 824745-1 SA) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 001 824745 1 // 1 380 POLYGRAM A3 and 001 824745 1 // 2 380 POLYGRAM A5. 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.
