Vinyl pressings
by Sly & Robbie · 1985
Language Barrier 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.
14 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
ST-IL-855 711-B MASTERDISK HW 1-1 [SRC logo]Side A runout
ST-IL-855712- B MASTERDISK 1-1 [SRC logo]Side B runout
ST-IL-855711-SPLabel side A
ST-IL-855712-SPLabel side B
SRC ST-IL-855711-B MASTERDISKSide A
SRC ST-IL-855712-B MASTERDISKSide B
ILPS 9831 A- 2U-1-1-1- TRANSCORunout side A, variant 1
ILPS 9831 B- 2U-1-1-1- GDRunout side B, variant 1
ILPS 9831 A- 2U-1↽1- TRANSCORunout side A, variant 2
ILPS 9831 B -2U -1↽1- GDRunout side B, variant 2
V 〄 Ⓑ R25D-2011 A 111 ✣ IStamped in runout A
R25D-2011 B 131 ✣Stamped in runout B
R25D-2011-ALabel A
R25D-2011-BLabel B
DM 207279 A - 1/85 S IIRunout A, stamped
DM 207279 B - 1/85 S IIRunout B, stamped
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 | Canada | Island Records ISL 1047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Island Records 207 279 / Island Records 207 279-620First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Island Records 207 279-270First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Island Records 207 279 / Island Records 207 279-620First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Island Records 826 195First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Island Records 207 279-620 / Island Records 207 279-8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Island RecordsLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Greece | Island Records VG71421 / Island Records 062-VG 71421First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Jamaica | TaxiFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Island Records L 38540First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Island Records 90286-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Island Records 90286-1 / Island Records 7 90286-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9831First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Island Records ILPS 9831 / Polystar R25D-2011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Island Records ILPS 9831 / Polystar R25D-2011First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Island Records 207 279 / Island Records 207 279-8LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Jamaica | S and R Records S & R LP 001LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of Language Barrier are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Japan, Canada and more. One of them is Island Records 90286-1, released August 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 90286-1, ILPS 9831, ISL 1047, 207 279) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-IL-855 711-B MASTERDISK HW 1-1 [SRC logo] and ST-IL-855712- B MASTERDISK 1-1 [SRC logo]. 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.
