Vinyl pressings
by U-Roy · 1978
Jah Son Of Africa was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 4 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.
FL-1023 A1Runout - Side A, variant 1
FL-1023 B1Runout - Side B, variant 1
FL-1023.A.1 B CRunout A etched/stamped, variant 2
FL-1023.B-1 B HRunout B etched/stamped, variant 2
TFL 007
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Italy | Front Line VFL 11023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Jamaica | State LineFirst yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | Jamaica | State LineFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Jamaica | State LineFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Front Line FL 1023First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | Front Line FL 1023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Front Line FL 1023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | STATE LINE TR-502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2933 765LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2933 765LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Portugal | Virgin VV 33 009 VLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | South Africa | Ccp Records VIR (L) 3037LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | Virgin VNH 5010LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | Virgin VNH 5010LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Jam Rock TR-502LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Europe | Front Line FL8 / Virgin 7243 8 49916 1 6LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2000 | UK | Virgin FL 08LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2000 | US | Caroline Records CAR49916 / Front Line CAR49916LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Nigeria | Front Line FL 1023LP, Album | LP, Album |
19 vinyl pressings of Jah Son Of Africa are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1978 and 2000.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Italy, Jamaica. One of them is Front Line FL 1023.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FL 1023, TR-502, VFL 11023) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FL-1023 A1 and FL-1023 B1. 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.
