US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Fantasy F-9490
- Format
- LP, Album · Terre Haute Pressing / Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
T1 F 970 A-1 TML-MSide A
T1 F 970 B-1 TML-MSide B
F-9490-ASide A Label
F-9490-BSide B Label
Vinyl pressings
City Life
by The Blackbyrds · 1975
30 pressings15 countriesJazz-FunkJazz
City Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of City Life
20 pressings came out in 1975, 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.
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Fantasy F-9490
- Format
- LP, Album · Gatefold, Hollywood Pressing
- Runout / matrix
F 9490 A TML-M HA Side Runout
F 9490-B TML-S HB Side Runout
F-9490-AA Side Label
F-9490-BB Side Label
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Fantasy F-9490
- Format
- LP, Album · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
F 9490 A TML-MA-side runout, etched
F 9490 B TML-MB-side runout, etched
F 9490 A TML-SVariant A-side runout, etched - TML-S Stamped
F 9490 B TML-SVariant B-side runout, etched - TML-S Stamped
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Fantasy F-9490
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Indianapolis Pressing - Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
F970-A-1 TML-S I A2Side A runout etched & stamped - Variant 1
F970-B TML-S I A4Side B runout etched & stamped - Variant 1
F970-A-1 TML-S I A2Side A runout etched & stamped - Variant 2
F970-B TML-S I A3Side B runout etched & stamped - Variant 2
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Fantasy F-9490
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Pitman Pressing, Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
P F 9490-A TML-M CA side runout, variant 1
P F 9490-B TML-M CB side runout, variant 1
P F9490-A TML-M 2A side runout, variant 2
P F9490-B TML-M 1B side runout, variant 2
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Fantasy F-9490
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Indianapolis Pressing - Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
F970-A-1 TML-M ISide A runout, etched
F970-B TML-M ISide B runout, etched
F-9490-ASide A label
F-9490-BSide B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 30 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s25 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Argentina | Fantasy 9490First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Australia | Fantasy L 35746First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | Fantasy 5988First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | Bellaphon BLPS 19227 / Fantasy BLPS 19227First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Greece | Columbia 9490First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Greece | Fantasy F-9490First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | Fantasy AMI 9490First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Fantasy SWX-6258First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Fantasy SWX-6258First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | South Africa | Fantasy FAC 9490First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Fantasy FTA 3003 / Fantasy FTA.3003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | Fantasy FTA 3003 / Fantasy FTA.3003LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1975 | US | Fantasy F-9490First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Fantasy F-9490First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Fantasy F-9490First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
1980s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Venezuela | Casablanca LP-120.046LP, Album | LP, Album |
2010s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | UK & Europe | Fantasy F-9490 / Universal Music Group International 088872359284LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2014 | US | Fantasy F-9490LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
2020s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Worldwide | Craft Recordings CR00846LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Year unknown1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | BGP Records BGPD 1086LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1Rock Creek Park4:35
- A2Thankful 'Bout Yourself5:11
- A3City Life5:22
- A4All I Ask3:50
- B1Happy Music4:32
- B2Love So Fine5:00
- B3Flying High3:29
- B4Hash And Eggs5:06
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of City Life are there?
30 vinyl pressings of City Life are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1975 and 2025.
When was City Life first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Fantasy F-9490.
How do I tell if my copy of City Life is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F-9490, F-9490-DJ, FTA 3003, 9490) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 F 970 A-1 TML-M and T1 F 970 B-1 TML-M. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is City Life on vinyl worth?
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.
