Vinyl pressings
by The Incredible Bongo Band · 1974
The Return Of The Incredible Bongo Band was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 5 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.
ST-PD-743131-AAA-1-11 AT PRA-Side Runout Etching
ST-PD-743132-AAA-1-11 AT PRB-Side Runout Etching
ST-PD-743131RIA-Side Label
ST-PD-743132RIB-Side Label
ST-PD-743131-AA AT △19218(1) PRSide A, Etched
ST-PD-743132-AA AT △19218-X(1) PRSide B, Etched
MRBoth Sides, Stamped Circled Monarch Logo
ST-PD-743131-MOSide A Label
ST-PD-743131-A AT PRA-side runout groove inscription
ST-PD-743132-A AT PRB-side runout groove inscription
ST-PD-74131 PRA-side label
ST-PD-74132 PRB-side label
9173-1002.A STERLING RL QA etched, STERLING stamped
9173-1002.A Q STERLING RLB etched, STERLING stamped
2310 334 1 1 520 17 10 1974 2Runout Side 1
2310 334 2 1 520 17 10 1974 2Runout Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | GRT 9173-1002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Polydor 2310 334First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Italy | Polydor 2310 334 AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | Polydor 23 10 334First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Pride PD 6010First yearLP | LP |
| 1974 | US | Pride PD 6010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Pride PD 6010First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Japan | Mr Bongo MRBLP119LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2014 | UK | Pride PD 6010 / Mr Bongo MRBLP119LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2014 | UK | Mr Bongo MRBLP119LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
10 vinyl pressings of The Return Of The Incredible Bongo Band are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1974 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Canada, France, Italy and more. One of them is Pride PD 6010.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD 6010, 9173-1002, 2310 334, 2310 334 A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-PD-743131-AAA-1-11 AT PR and ST-PD-743132-AAA-1-11 AT PR. 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.
