Vinyl pressings
by The Incredible Bongo Band · 1973
Bongo Rock was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
PRD 0028 MGS-3274 ROSS #1 ~A-side runout groove inscription
PRD 0028 MGS-3275 ROSS #1 ~B-side runout groove inscription
MGS 3274A-side label
MGS 3275B-side label
PRD 0028 MGS-3274 ROSS #2A side runout groove inscription
PRD 0028 MGS-3275 ROSS #2B side runout groove inscription
MGS 3274A side label
MGS 3275B side label
PRD 0028 MGS-3274 ROSS #1A-side runout groove inscription
PRD 0028 MGS-3275 ROSS #1B-side runout groove inscription
MGS 3274A-side label
MGS 3275B-side label
PRD 0028 MGS-3274 ROSS # 1Runout, side A (variant 1)
PRD 0028 MGS-3275 ROSS # 1Runout, side B (variant 1)
PRD 0028 MGS-3274 ROSS # 2Runout, side A (variant 2)
PRD 0028 MGS-3275 ROSS # 2Runout, side B (variant 2)
PRD 0028 MGS-3274 ROSS # 1A-side runout groove inscription
PRD 0028 MGS-3275 ROSS # 1B-side runout groove inscription
MGS 3274A-side label
MGS 3275B-side label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | Pride PRD-0028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Pride PRD-0028 / Pride PRD 0028First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Pride 9173-0028 / GRT 9173-0028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Pride 9173-0028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | MGM Records 2315 255First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | MGM Records 2315 255First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | MGM Records 2315 255First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | MGM Records 2315 255First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Israel | DJM Records DJLPS 452First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | MGM Records 2315 255 A / MGM Records 2315 255 LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | MGM Records 2315 255 A / MGM Records 2315255LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | MGM Records 2315 255 LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | MGM Records 2315 255 A / MGM Records 2315255LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Jamaica | MGM Records 2315255First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Pride PRD-0028 / Pride PRD 0028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | US | Pride PRD-0028LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2001 | US | Pride PRD-0028LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2009 | US | Pride PRD-0028 / Pride PRD 0028LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Japan | Mr Bongo MRBLP118LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2014 | UK | Mr Bongo MRBLP118LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Reissue | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Reissue |
| 2014 | UK & Europe | Mr Bongo MRBLP118 / Pride PRD-0028LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2018 | US | Pride PRD-0028 / Pride PRD 0028LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | US | Pride PRD-0028 / Pride PRD 0028LP, Album, Club Edition, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Numbered, Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Numbered, Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Italy | Use Vinyl Records UVR110.21LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 2021 | UK | Mr Bongo MRBLP118S / Pride MRBLP118SLP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | UK & Europe | Mr Bongo MRBLP118 / Pride PRD-0028LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Vik Records VIK 4462LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Europe | Medicine Men Records MED-002LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Italy | Vik Records VIK 4426LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
38 vinyl pressings of Bongo Rock are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1973 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Pride PRD-0028.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PRD-0028, DJM 452, 9173-0028, 2315 255) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PRD 0028 MGS-3274 ROSS #1 ~ and PRD 0028 MGS-3275 ROSS #1 ~. 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.
