how to know?

[kbb1]

hallo to all
me have loads of reggae vinyls and more stuff,but i dont know if they are original press or not..
can someone tell me how i can find out about recanizing original press?
tnx

[duh]

yeah you can look up the titles on this website

[Rob]

Hey kbb1,

it can be difficult to know if it is an original or not at first. many originals were pressed in Jamaica. knowing Jamaican recording labels, such as volcano, jah life, jah guidance, black roots, etc. helps a lot.

Other labels from the UK may be re-presses, such as greensleeves, or vista sound, but not always.

this site is a good source for original presses though. good luck.

[leggo rocker]

Hey kbb1

I've had my head right into this problem for at least 2 years now and still I am very much in the dark about lots of it.

I've made a few mistakes and learned from them.

Don't expect a quick fix, the subject matter is vast and also complex. Records are sparse and you really have to rely on websites like this and the knowledge of the contributors and forum members.

A great way to find out is to list them on ebay with good pictures and all the matrix numbers etc and see what they sell for! If they get lots of money then you know they were rare originals. Hey, I am just kidding, ha ha - but if you decide to do this be sure to send me a link to your auctions!!!

[wareika]

There are still some clue that can help you.

For Jamaican press the labels have large label grooves on the label. The label groove is the groove engraved under the label. Here is an exemple:

http://www.roots-archives.com/release/2441

The first label presented (second pic) is an early press and the second one (fourth pic) is the curent reissue.

This H Mundell is a good exemple to show how hard it is to identify original LP cause there are actually four early pressings (two from 78, one from 79/80 and a last one from 81) all with different matrix numbers. The third one is a rare one with one additional tune compared to the classic track list (a dub to "Book of life" which is diff to the one on the flip of 7" and the one on the dub LP counterpart).

There are some label with slight difference regarding the label design:

Greensleeves: the copyright info written in circular shape on the lab is red for the original (ie: http://www.roots-archives.com/display_artwork/6480.jpg ) and black for reissue (ie: http://www.roots-archives.com/display_artwork/4446.jpg ).

Prophet records: The original and reissue label look like very closed but actully the Yabby You pic is reversed ont the reissue: compare the original (ie: http://www.roots-archives.com/display_artwork/4344.jpg ) and reissue (ie: http://www.roots-archives.com/display_artwork/4546.jpg ).

Sometime it's the texture of the label and/or of the cover: ie some Burning Sds LP where repress few years after the original issue. For instance the Maytones' "Madness" was pressed with this label first (ie: http://www.roots-archives.com/display_artwork/4958.jpg ) + front laminated cover and reissue with a label like this one (ie: http://www.roots-archives.com/display_artwork/4960.jpg ) + a classic non laminated cover.

These are few exemple but there are plenty of and the best way to know original is as Leggo said: to learn from the error you made.


wareika

[leggo rocker]

As usual, Wareika stuns me with his deep knowledge.

Thank you for this superb and comprehensive information.

Sadly, after reading it I have realised a few extra mistakes I have made in buying 'original' issues.

I wish he was at my side to guide me when I am buying vinyl!

[Lion]

Good explain Wareika.
But sometimes i get mad when some labels just there orginal sleeves for reissues.
Allways check the label and matrix.

Lion

[leggo rocker]

Maybe the person who posted under the name 'duh' can now understand that it isn't just a question of dipping into roots archives database.

Although the database (and others like it) is a very valuable resource and always great help, the subject is actually very complicated and nothing can compare to the deep knowledge of people who gained that knowledge mainly from experience.

[wareika]

I just edit the previous post I did cause the links didn't work.

I also forget about a good tip that works for lot's of Jam LPs. On the back cover you often have a printer given. There are two printers which are really common for repress: Xpress Lytho and Solographic.

There are very very few early pressing with sleeves printed by these companies. The earliest LP I have which have one of these printers is the Half Pint "Money Man Skank" on Jammy$ (with a cover done by Solographic) from 84. More, I can add that the first Solographic logo was Solographic printed with a basic font + an adress (14 Retirement road). Later they use the logo we know nowadays (LGP in block letters). I think this one appeared circa 87.


wareika

[leggo rocker]

Wareika, you are a deep well full of roots knowledge.

The detail astounds me.

I like detail, it helps me in my desire to be the Sherlock Holmes of record detectives.

Based on your comments I have been rooting through some of my record boxes and finding a few fakes that need to be replaced!

:X

But also confirming that some are REAL originals!