Vinyl pressings
by Rose Laurens · 1982
Africa 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.
8 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 5 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.
MPO WEA Ʈ 721 703 AXHand etched on runout side A, variant 1
MPO WEA Ʈ 721 703 BYHand etched on runout side B, variant 1
MPO WEA Ʈ 721 703 AYRunout side A, variant 2
MPO WEA Ʈ 721 703 BYRunout side B, variant 2
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 | Brazil | WEA 18.066First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1982 | France | Flarenasch 721 703 / Flarenasch 721.703First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | France | Flarenasch 722 703 / Flarenasch 722703First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1982 | France | Flarenasch 722.713First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1982 | Philippines | Atlantic ATR-0257First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | RCA SPCO-7405First year12" | 12" |
| 1982 | UK | WEA X9876First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | WEA X9876First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | WEA 7-2499137", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | WEA 0 24987612", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Austria | WEA 24. 9876-77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | VIP VIP-160612" | 12" |
| 1983 | Canada | WEA 24 9876-77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | VIP VIP-0187", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | France | Flarenasch 721.713 / Flarenasch 721 7137", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
40 vinyl pressings of Africa are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in France, UK, Brazil, Philippines and more. One of them is Flarenasch 721 703.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 721 703, 722 703, 722.713, X9876) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MPO WEA Ʈ 721 703 AX and MPO WEA Ʈ 721 703 BY. 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.
