Vinyl pressings
by Talib Kweli · 2000
Train Of Thought was first pressed on vinyl in 2000. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 2000, the album's first year. 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.
RWK-1177A-RE1 RJ STERLINGRun-out area side A [hand-etched + machine-stamped]
RWK-1177B-RE1 RJ STERLINGRun-out area side B [hand-etched + machine-stamped]
RWK-1177C-RE1 RJ STERLINGRun-out area side C [hand-etched + machine-stamped]
RWK-1177D-RE1 RJ STERLINGRun-out area side D [hand-etched + machine-stamped]
RWK-1187A STERLINGSide A runout etched, STERLING stamped
RWK-1187B STERLINGSide B runout etched, STERLING stamped
RWK-1187C STERLINGSide C runout etched, STERLING stamped
RWK-1187D STERLINGSide D runout etched, STERLING 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | US | Rawkus RWK-177 / Rawkus RWK-1177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 2000 | US | Rawkus RWK 1187First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 2000 | US | Rawkus RWK 1195First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 2000 | US | Rawkus RWK 1177First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Rawkus KWELITOT001LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2013 | Europe | Rawkus KWELITOT001LP, LP, All Media, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, LP, All Media, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2013 | Europe | Rawkus KWELITOT001LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
| 2013 | France | Rawkus KWELITOT001LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2013 | France | Rawkus KWELITOT001LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | US | Rawkus B0021375-01 / Geffen Records B0021375-01LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | US | Rawkus 602488149112 / Geffen Records 602488149112LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2026 | US | Geffen Records 602488149112 / Rawkus 602488149112LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Rawkus RWK 177LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Rawkus RWK-177LP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of Train Of Thought are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 2000 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 2000, in US. One of them is Rawkus RWK-177.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RWK-177, RWK 1187, RWK 1195, RWK 1177) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RWK-1177A-RE1 RJ STERLING and RWK-1177B-RE1 RJ STERLING. 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.
