VinylAI 
Data as of Aug 1, 2026
Sugar Minott – Ghetto-Ology
1979 · UK · Trojan Records · Vinyl LP Album Stereo
Price guide
Estimated market value via Discogs · as of Aug 5, 2026
- MMint
- $67.96
- NMNear Mint
- $60.80
- VG+Very Good Plus
- $46.50
- VGVery Good
- $32.19
- G+Good Plus
- $17.88
- GGood
- $10.73
- FFair
- $7.15
- PPoor
- $3.58
20 copies listed on Discogs from $19.54.
These are reference estimates from Discogs sold/asking data for this exact pressing, not offers and not a guaranteed price. Actual value depends on condition, completeness and current demand. Any active seller offers on this page are listed separately above.
Offers · 1
- £20ref VA-EZBXNMedia VG · Very GoodSleeve VG🇬🇧 Ships from United Kingdom
The Discogs price estimate is a separate reference; offer prices above are sellers’ own.
New to condition grades like NM or VG? Read our vinyl grading guide →
Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Runout — side A
- TRLS 173-AS- 11 (ali) TRLS 173 A=1 BilBo(ali) TRLS 173 A-1 BilBo
- Runout — side B
- TRLS 173-B(ali) TRLS 173 B.1.S-9 BilBoS-10 (ali) TRLS 173 B.1 BilBo
- Recorded At
- Channel One Recording Studio
- Mixed At
- King Tubby's Studio
Specifications
- Artist
- Sugar Minott
- Genre
- Reggae
- Style
- Roots Reggae
- Year
- 1979
- Label
- Trojan Records
- Catalog number
- TRLS 173
- Country
- UK
Tracklist
- A1Man Hungry
- A2The People Got To Know
- A3Walking Through The Ghetto
- A4Dreader Than Dread
- A5So Many Things
- B1Never Gonna Give Jah Up
- B2Ghetto - Ology
- B3Africa Is The Black Man's Home
- B4Strange Things
- B5Free Jah Jah Children
- Producer
- James Brown
- Producer
- Keith Bartley
- Engineer
- Lancelot "Maxie" McKenzie
- Engineer
- Prince Jammy
- Harmony Vocals, Written-By
- Sugar Minott
About this record
The BilBo pressing plant signature appears twice in the dead wax of this 1979 UK Trojan pressing, marking it as distinct from later reissues. Sugar Minott's Ghetto-Ology commands steady collector interest, with 524 want-list entries against 904 confirmed copies in circulation, yet only 20 copies currently listed for sale across platforms.
What drives its value
Condition drives the entire market for this roots reggae album. A Mint copy reaches 67.96 USD, while a VG+ drops to 46.5 USD—a substantial swing that reflects how wear on the original Trojan pressing affects desirability.
The current floor sits at 19.54 USD for the lowest-priced available copy. The want-to-have ratio of 524 collectors seeking it against 904 who own one signals sustained but not frenzied demand; the modest 20 copies actively for sale suggests collectors hold stock rather than flip it.
As a UK original on Trojan (catalogue TRLS 173), this outperforms later reissues in value, though the 4.46 community rating across 100 votes indicates consistent appreciation for the music rather than scarcity-driven speculation.
How to appraise this pressing
Confirm the catalogue number TRLS 173 on the spine and label. The dead-wax matrix reads TRLS 173-A on side one and TRLS 173-B on side two; crucially, both sides bear the BilBo plant stamp—either 'S- 11 (ali) TRLS 173 A=1 BilBo' on the A-side or '(ali) TRLS 173 B.1.S-9 BilBo' on the B-side.
The absence of a barcode confirms this is an original 1979 pressing rather than a barcode-era reissue. The stereo mix and 10-track configuration are standard.
Grade by vinyl surface (original Trojan pressings often show light hairline marks even when played carefully), label condition (check for foxing or water stains common to UK stock), and sleeve integrity. A Mint example will show no visible wear under normal light and play without surface noise; VG+ allows light marks that do not affect playback.
Further reading: grading a record, how to sell vinyl.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Frequently asked
How do I tell this from a reissue?
Check the dead wax for the BilBo plant name and the specific matrix codes. The 1979 original UK pressing on Trojan will read either 'S- 11 (ali) TRLS 173 A=1 BilBo' or '(ali) TRLS 173 B.1.S-9 BilBo' in the runout. Later reissues use different plants and matrix layouts. The absence of a barcode on the back cover also confirms the original pressing.
What is a fair price for a VG+ copy right now?
According to the price guide, a VG+ copy is valued at 46.5 USD. However, the lowest asking price across active listings is 19.54 USD, which may reflect higher wear, a lower grade, or aggressive pricing. Expect to pay in the mid-range if you want a copy that plays cleanly without surface noise.
Why is there such a gap between Mint and VG condition?
A Mint copy is priced at 67.96 USD while VG sits at 32.19 USD. Original Trojan pressings from 1979 rarely survive unplayed; even light use introduces hairline marks and subtle noise. Collectors of UK roots reggae on Trojan value preservation highly because original stock is finite and replacement copies are uncommon. Condition is the primary rarity driver here.
Is this record in demand or sitting?
Demand is moderate and steady. The community shows 524 collectors with it on their want list against 904 who own a copy, suggesting genuine interest but not panic-buying. The 4.46 rating from 100 votes confirms the music is respected. However, only 20 copies are currently for sale, indicating collectors tend to keep their copies rather than sell, which supports the mid-range pricing.
Should I buy this as an investment?
This is a well-regarded roots reggae album on an established UK label, but the price guide shows it is not scarce—904 copies are documented in collections. The steady 4.46 rating and moderate want-list activity suggest it will hold value for a collector who plays it, but rapid appreciation is unlikely. Buy this for the music and the Trojan provenance, not speculation.