Vinyl pressings
by Tom Browne · 1980
Funkin' For Jamaica was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
GS 2506 SA ED T1 [STERLING]Side A Runout, etched, except [stamped], variant 1
GS 2506 SB T1 [STERLING]Side B Runoutt, etched, except [stamped], variant 1
T GS 2506 SA T3 TIIII [STERLING]Side A Runout, etched, except [stamped], variant 1
T GS 2506 SB-T3 [STERLING] TISide B Runoutt, etched, except [stamped], variant 1
GS 2506 SASide A Runout
GS 2506 SBSide B Runout
STERLINGStamped in runout (both sides)
GS 2506 SA 1A SX SII STERLINGSide A etched, Sterling stamped
GS 2506 SB 1A SX SII STERLINGSide B etched, Sterling stamped
GS 2506-SASide A center label
GS 2506-SBSide B center label
GS 2506-SAA side runout, variant 1
GS 2506-SBB side runout, variant 1
GS 2506-SA CPI STERLINGA side etched runout ('STERLING' stamped), variant 2
GS 2506-SB CPI STERLINGB side etched runout ('STERLING' stamped), variant 2
GS 2506 SA CTI T1 [STERLING]Side A Runout, etched, except [stamped], variant 1
GS 2506 MA CTI T1 [STERLING]Side B Runout, etched, except [stamped], variant 1
GS 2506-SALabel Side A
GS 2506-SBLabel Side B
GS 2506 SA CS2 (etched) STERLING (stamped)SIDE-A
GS 2506 SA CS2 (etched) STERLING (stamped)SIDE-B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Arista K-8201First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Brazil | Arista 102 373 / Arista GRP 102 373First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | ARISTA GRP GS 2506First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Arista ARS 37039First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Arista GRP ARS 37039First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Arista ATA718First year7" | 7" |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Arista ATA 718First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Panama | Arista GS-2507First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Arista GRP GS 2506First year7", Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Arista GRP GS 2506First year7", Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Arista GRP GS 2506First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Arista GRP GS 2506First year7", Styrene | 7", Styrene |
| 1980 | US | Arista GRP GS 2506First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1980 | US | Arista GRP GS 2506First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1980 | US | Arista GRP GS 2506First year7", Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
15 vinyl pressings of Funkin' For Jamaica are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Arista GRP GS 2506, released July 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GS 2506, K-8201, 102 373, ARS 37039) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GS 2506 SA ED T1 [STERLING] and GS 2506 SB T1 [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.
