Vinyl pressings
by Pete Shelley · 1983
XL·1 was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
XL 1 A–1U–1–1⥛ TOWNHOUSESide A runout variant 1
XL 1 B–1U–1–1⥛ TOWNHOUSESide B runout variant 1
XL 1 A-1U-1-1 - 0 TOWN HOUSESide A runout variant 2
XL 1 B-1U-1-1 – : TOWN HOUSESide B runout variant 2
AL·6·8017·SASide 1, Etched
AL·6·8017·SBSide 2, Etched
AL·6·8017·SA -1 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢ RCA ɅIGSide A runout, var 1
AL·6·8017·SB -1 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢ ɅIGSide B runout, var 1
AL·6·8017·SA -1 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢ I RCA Ʌ1FSide A runout, var 2
AL·6·8017·SB -1 I Ʌ1DSide B runout, var 2
AL·6·8017·SA MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK EMW ESMSide A, etched
AL·6·8017·SB EMWSide B, etched
AL 6 8017 SASide A label
AL 6 8017 SBSide B label
AL·6·8017·SA MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢ HRM A-2 ⟷Runout A
AL·6·8017·SB A-2 ⟷Runout B
AL 6-8017-SALabel A
AL 6-8017-SBLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Festival Records L 38057 / Island Records XL 1First yearLP, Album, Enhanced | LP, Album, Enhanced |
| 1983 | Australia | Festival Records L.38057 / Island Records XL 1First yearLP, Album, Enhanced, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Enhanced, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL 6-8017 / Genetic Records AL 6-8017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Island Records 205 629 / Island Records 205 629-320First yearLP, Album, Enhanced, Stereo | LP, Album, Enhanced, Stereo |
| 1983 | Italy | Island Records XL1 (XL1)First yearLP, Album, Enhanced | LP, Album, Enhanced |
| 1983 | Italy | Island Records XL1 (XL1)LP, Album, Enhanced, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Enhanced, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Japan | Island Records 25S-177 / Polystar 25S-177First yearLP, Album, Enhanced | LP, Album, Enhanced |
| 1983 | Japan | Island Records 25S-177 / Polystar 25S-177First yearLP, Album, Enhanced, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Enhanced, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Island Records L38057 / Island Records BON 4First yearLP, Album, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Enhanced | LP, Album, 12", 45 RPM, Single, Enhanced |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Island Records L38057First yearLP, Album, Enhanced | LP, Album, Enhanced |
| 1983 | Portugal | Genetic Records XL 1 / Island Records XL 1First yearLP, Album, Enhanced | LP, Album, Enhanced |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Island Records XL1 / Genetic Records XL 1First yearLP, Album, Enhanced | LP, Album, Enhanced |
| 1983 | UK | Genetic Records XL 1 / Island Records XL 1First yearLP, Album, Enhanced | LP, Album, Enhanced |
| 1983 | US | Arista AL 6 8017 / Genetic Records AL 6 8017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Arista AL 6-8017 / Genetic Records AL 6-8017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Worldwide | Domino REWIGLP173LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
18 vinyl pressings of XL·1 are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1983 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Genetic Records XL 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use XL 1, AL 6 8017, AL 6-8017, AL6-8017) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XL 1 A–1U–1–1⥛ TOWNHOUSE and XL 1 B–1U–1–1⥛ TOWNHOUSE. 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.
