Vinyl pressings
by Third World · 1989
Serious Business was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 7 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.
836 952 1 S1=1 670 07 111Runout side A
836 952 1 S2=1 670 07 111Runout side B
836 952 1 S1=1 670 07 113Runout side A Variant 2
836 952 1 S1=1 670 07 118Runout side B Variant 2
422-836-952-1-AS-HUB ☆ STERLINGSide 1 runout, etched
422-836-952-1-BS-HUB ☆ STERLINGSide 2 runout, etched
422-836-952-1-AS SP 1-1 STERLING
422-836-952-1-BS SP 1-1 STERLING
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | Mercury 836 952-1First yearLP | LP |
| 1989 | Canada | Mercury 836 952-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | Mercury 836 952-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Jamaica | Mercury 836 952-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | South Africa | Mercury STARL 5564First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | UK | Mercury 836 952-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 836 952-1 / Mercury 422 836 952-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 836 952-1 / Mercury 422 836 952-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 836 952-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 836 952-1 / Mercury 422 836 952-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Nigeria | Mercury MCY 836952-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Jamaica | Jah's Music Productions 836 952-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Jamaica | Mercury 422 836 952-1 / Mercury 836 952-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Serious Business are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1989 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Mercury 836 952-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 836 952-1, STARL 5564) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 836 952 1 S1=1 670 07 111 and 836 952 1 S2=1 670 07 111. 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.
