I seem to have this issue (all other signs say "yes") and the Matrix / Runout is different: 321798 2.2 -1-2 EMI SWINDON (with -1-2 more or less "etched" and not printed). Anyone seen this?

Excellent sounding pressing. Comes in a thick, heavy cardboard cover.

You've gotta own this one, no question. R.I.P. to the most Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal

A question: it's an official Chrysalis release or it's a bootleg like others? Thanks a lot.

best rap album ever !

This album was really released in 1991. the release date is wrong

No...I remember buying this album in the fall of 1990 I was 16 then...I always see it wrongly printed as coming out in 1991. My copy also says 1990 on it.

It appears that these were made from a recording of a legitimate vinyl copy - not proper orig studio tape masters - because there are little pops and clicks that are audible, but the vinyl is spotless and there is no stylus wobble when running over them slowly, leading one to believe that the source vinyl they used was itself flawed.That and the fact that the sound quality is poor - subs are muddy and the top end is murky.

This CD pressing has worse sound quality than the re-issues.

Wow, no comments on this impeccable release, is the honor really all mine? I can remember the day and even where in the store I first found my copy of this album. This is the first real Gang Starr album, as "No More Mr. Nice Guy" was more a haphazard collection of various material, some not even recorded together. This record clearly had a mission, and was conceived much moreso as a whole. In other words, the magic between Guru and Premier really gelled right here. Here, in my opinion, is also where you can really see Primo's production style come to fruition, although he'd already had credits such as with Lord Finesse. Just with the intro of "Name Tag", the setting of mood with a simple chopped loop as an introduction is classic Gang Starr, and really feels different for the time period. The tempos are not as aggressive as on "No More Mr. Nice Guy" but still several tracks keep it moving as it was 1990, but most notably the attack is far more focused. Tracks like "Just To Get A Rep," "As I Read My S-A," "Step In The Arena," and the still-ripping "Check The Technique" show that this newly-reformulated crew was not messing around. The heads nod, the lyrics kick, and the beats (many of which became iconic) are just beautiful in their efficiency. I believe most people check in on this group with the next album and its more intense, slower wordplay and Gang Starr Foundation guest stars, but overlooking "Step In The Arena" would be a huge mistake. This is the essential place to start in learning about this monstrously influential and just downright professional rap group.