Vinyl pressings
by Steve Winwood · 1986
Back In The High Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 23 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.
ILPS 9844 A-3U-1-1 -X1Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9844 B-2U-1-1 -X1Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9844 A-3U-1-2-1Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 2
ILPS 9844 B-2U-1-3-Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 2
ILPS 9844 A-3U-1-1 -X1 SOUND CLINIC JONZRunout, A-side variant 1
ILPS 9844 B-2U-1-1 -X1 SOUND CLINIC JONZRunout, B-side variant 1
ILPS 9844 A-3U-1-1 -X1 SOUND CLINIC JONZRunout, A-side variant 2
ILPS 9844 B-2U-1-1- SOUND CLINIC JONZRunout, B-side variant 2
ILPS 9844 A//2 ▽ 420 EXRunout, A-side, stamped
ILPS 9844 B//2 ▽ 420 EX 1Runout, B-side, stamped
ILPS 9844-ALabel, A-side
ILPS 9844-BLabel, B-side
ILPS 9844 A//2▽ 420 EX 11Side A Runout
ILPS 9844 B-2U-1- 1 SOUND CLINIC JONZSide B Runout
5014474108440Scanned
ILPS 9844-ASide A label
ILPS 9844 A-3U-1-1 -X1A-side, stamped
SOUND CLINIC JONZA-side, etched
ILPS 9844 B-2U-1-1 -X1B-side, stamped
SOUND CLINIC JONZB-side, etched
1 25448 ADMMSH1 DMM STERLING TJ B-23547-SH1 △12590 2-1 0-2531-3 AL-SPSide A runout - variant 1
1 25448 B SH2 DMM STERLING TJ B-23548-SH2 △12590-X 3-2 AL-SPSide B runout - variant 1
1 25448 A SH1 DMM STERLING TJ 0-1 B-23547-SH1 △12590 1̶-̶2̶ AL-SPSide A runout - variant 2
1 25448 B SH2 DMM STERLING TJ B-23548-SH2 △12590-X 2-2 SP0-1 AL-SPSide B runout - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | Island Records TLP-80010First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | Island Records RML 53212 / Island Records ILPS 9844First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | Island Records 610.7083First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Island Records 92 54481First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Island Records W1 25448LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Canada | Island Records 92 54481First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Island Records W1 25448LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Colombia | Ariola 18(0831)00314First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Island Records 207 769First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Island Records ILPS 9844 / Island Records 830 148-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | Island Records 13 249 8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Ireland | Island Records ILPS 9844First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 9844First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 9844LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1986 | Japan | Island Records R28D-2036First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | Island Records 5723703 / Island Records 00602557237030LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
41 vinyl pressings of Back In The High Life are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1986 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Argentina, Japan and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9844.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9844, 9-25448-1, TLP-80010, R28D-2036) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9844 A-3U-1-1 -X1 and ILPS 9844 B-2U-1-1 -X1. 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.
