Vinyl pressings
by Public Enemy · 1990
911 Is A Joke was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. 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 1990, the album's first year, in 6 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.
XSS-73179 A-1A G MASTERDISK DMM B1Runout A, etched, variant 1
XSS-73179 B-1B G DMM MASTERDISK A3Runout B, etched, variant 1
XSS-73179A-1A G MASTERDISK DMM B6Runout A, etched, variant 2
XSS-73179B-1B G DMM MASTERDISK A5Runout B, etched, variant 2
655837 7 A1A Side Runout Etched
655837 7 B 1B Side Runout Etched
655.837.5.A1 :)Etchings side A
655.837.5 B1Etchings side B
655837 5 A*Label side A
655837 5 B*Label side B
655 837 8 A1A Side Runout Etched
655837 8 B1B Side Runout Etched
655 837 8 A*A Side Label
655 837 8 B*B Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings 655837 6 / CBS 655837 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings 655837 7 / CBS 655837 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Japan | Def Jam Recordings 44-73179 / Columbia 44-73179First year12" | 12" |
| 1990 | Spain | CBS ARIC 2406First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Spain | CBS 655837 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 655837 8First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | Def Jam Recordings DEF655837 5First year12", 45 RPM, Sampler | 12", 45 RPM, Sampler |
| 1990 | US | Def Jam Recordings 44-73179 / Def Jam Recordings 44 73179First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 655837 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 655837 5 / CBS 655837 5First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1990 | Australia | Def Jam Recordings 655837 6First year12" | 12" |
| 1990 | Australia | Def Jam Recordings 655837 7 / CBS 655837 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of 911 Is A Joke are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in US, UK, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Def Jam Recordings 44-73179, released April 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44-73179, 655837 7, 655837 5, 655837 8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS-73179 A-1A G MASTERDISK DMM B1 and XSS-73179 B-1B G DMM MASTERDISK A3. 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.
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
1988 · 40 pressings
Fear Of A Black Planet
1990 · 32 pressings
Fight The Power (Extended Version)
1989 · 20 pressings
Yo! Bum Rush The Show
1987 · 20 pressings
Don't Believe The Hype / Prophets Of Rage
1988 · 19 pressings
Night Of The Living Baseheads
1988 · 19 pressings
