Vinyl pressings
by Steve Winwood · 1986
Back In The High Life Again 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.
8 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 4 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.
7 28472 RE 1-A - SR I I - IRunout, Side A, Etched
7̵ ̵2̵8̵4̵9̵8̵ ̵ ̵B̵ ̵ ̵R̵E̵ ̵ ̵1̵ ̵ ̵S̵R̵ ̵3 I - I 7-28472-BRE1-SR 3Runout, Side B, Etched
STERLING SRCRunouts, Side A&B, Stamped
7-28472-ALabel Side A
7 28472 RE 1-A - SH1 Q R-17827-Re1-SH1 ∆16449 1-1 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
7-28472-B-SH1 Q 1-2 ∆16449-XSide B runout, variant 1
7 28472 RE 1-A - SH1 Q R-17827-Re1-SH1 ∆16449 1-1 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
7-28472-B-SH1 1̶-̶7̶8̶4̶9̶3̶-̶B̶-̶R̶E̶1̶-̶S̶H̶2̶ Q R̶-̶1̶7̶1̶6̶6̶-̶R̶E̶1̶-̶S̶H̶-̶2̶ ̶∆̶-̶1̶5̶3̶8̶9̶-̶X̶ ̶ 1-2 ∆16449-X STERLING R-17830-SH1Side B runout, variant 2, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
12 IS 303 A-1U-1-4-1Side A, runout
12 IS 303 B-1-U-1-1- G.D.Side B, runout
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 | Australia | Island Records K-144First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Australia | Island Records X 14464 / Island Records 12 IS 303First year12", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1986 | Canada | Island Records 92 84727First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | South Africa | Island Records ISS 303First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | Island Records 7-28472 / Island Records 9 28472-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Island Records 7-28472-AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Island Records PRO-A-2620First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Island Records 7-28472 / Island Records 9 28472-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Island Records 108 6657", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Island Records 608 66512", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Japan | Island Records D07D-2022 / Polystar D07D-20227", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Mexico | Island Records RX - 3097", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Spain | Island Records F-60866512", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Spain | Island Records 108 6657", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Spain | Island Records F-60866512", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
20 vinyl pressings of Back In The High Life Again are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Australia, Canada, South Africa. One of them is Island Records 7-28472.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-28472, 7-28472-A, PRO-A-2620, K-144) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7 28472 RE 1-A - SR I I - I and 7̵ ̵2̵8̵4̵9̵8̵ ̵ ̵B̵ ̵ ̵R̵E̵ ̵ ̵1̵ ̵ ̵S̵R̵ ̵3 I - I 7-28472-BRE1-SR 3. 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.
