UK
1983- Label and catalog number
- EMI RDC 2005EMI 0C 062-07 717
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
RDC 2005ALabel - side A
RDC 2005BLabel - side B
Vinyl pressings
Mama Africa
by Peter Tosh · 1983
42 pressings22 countriesRoots ReggaeReggae
Mama Africa 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Mama Africa
29 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 22 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
1983- Label and catalog number
- EMI America SO-17095
- Format
- LP, Album · Jacksonville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
SO-1-17095.P.2#1 0 MASTERED BY LIBERTYA runout etched, except "0 MASTERED BY LIBERTY" stamped, variant 1
SO-2-17095.P.2#1 0 MASTERED BY LIBERTYB runout etched, except "0 MASTERED BY LIBERTY" stamped, variant 1
SO-1-17095-P.1. #2 0 MASTERED BY LIBERTYA runout etched, except "0 MASTERED BY LIBERTY" stamped, variant 2
SO-2-17095-P.1. #3 0 MASTERED BY LIBERTYB runout etched, except "0 MASTERED BY LIBERTY" stamped, variant 2
US
1983- Label and catalog number
- EMI America SO-17095
- Format
- LP, Album · WInchester
- Runout / matrix
SO-1-17095-P-3 MASTERED BY LIBERTY ─◁Runout, side A, etched ["MASTERED BY LIBERTY" stamped]
SO-2-17095-P-3 MASTERED BY LIBERTY ─◁Runout, side B, etched ["MASTERED BY LIBERTY" stamped]
Australia
1983- Label and catalog number
- EMI EMC-2761
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
MASTERED AT STUDIOS 301Runout, both sides, stamped
EMC-2761 A MAXICUT !Runout, side A, etched
EMC-2761 B. MAXICUT !Runout, side B, etched
Australia
1983- Label and catalog number
- EMI EMC-2761
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
EMC 2761-A MAXICUT! DBRunout, side A, etched
EMC 2761-B MAXICUT! DBRunout, side B, etched
Brazil
1983- Label and catalog number
- EMI 31C 064-07717
- Format
- LP, Album
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 42 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s33 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | EMI EMC-2761First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | EMI EMC-2761First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | EMI EMC-2761First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Brazil | EMI 31C 064-07717First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | EMI America SO-17095 / EMI America SO 17095First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Colombia | EMI 11947First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | EMI 038-79 1671 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | EMI 2C 070-07717First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | EMI 038-79 1671 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | EMI 14C 062-07717First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | EMI 2005LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Italy | EMI 3C 064-07717First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Jamaica | Intel Diplo ITDL-006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | EMI EMS-81595First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | EMI EMS-81595First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
2000s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Europe | EMI 537 6981LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue | LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue |
2010s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1414LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2015 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1414LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
2020s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1414LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | US | Parlophone 266927LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
Year unknown4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Jamaica | Intel Diplo ITDL-006LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Jamaica | Intel DiploLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Jamaica | Intel Diplo ITDL-006LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Venezuela | EMI 25112LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1Mama Africa7:39
- A2Glasshouse5:30
- A3Not Gonna Give It Up5:35
- A4Stop That Train3:53
- B1Johnny B. Goode4:03
- B2Where You Gonna Run4:00
- B3Peace Treaty4:09
- B4Feel No Way3:20
- B5Maga Dog4:15
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Mama Africa are there?
42 vinyl pressings of Mama Africa are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1983 and 2024.
When was Mama Africa first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is EMI RDC 2005.
How do I tell if my copy of Mama Africa is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RDC 2005, SO-17095, EMC-2761, 31C 064-07717) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RDC 2005A and RDC 2005B. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Mama Africa 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.
