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Remember how those humble Walkmans filled our pockets? While many now gather dust, a select few have become unexpected treasures.
Proving once again that rarity, influence, and a good story can make plastic and magnetic tape worth a fortune, what was once considered a ‘dead format’ has found a new lease of life, popularised by some of the biggest chart-topping names in recent years, through to up-and-coming acts dubbing tapes on their parents’ stereo. At least, we used to do that... there’s probably an app for that now, correct?
We’ve searched the annals of Discogs once again this month to find 15 more releases on cassette tape that fetched a huge sum in recent years, basing our findings on the highest sold price in the online marketplace’s history. That means that though it did sell for that price originally, it’s still worth undertaking your due diligence to check back in and see if there is still a demand for your items.
That is, sadly, the nature of collecting.
So, what did we find this month that commanded a huge figure to own on the humble old magnetic format?
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5. Morbid Angel – Abominations Of Desolation (1987) – £138.89
A legendary demo from one of death metal's most pioneering bands, this self-released cassette from Morbid Angel is a raw, unpolished glimpse into the genre's earliest days. Featuring nascent versions of tracks that would become classics, its extreme rarity and historical significance to the development of extreme metal ensure its high value among dedicated fans and collectors. | Provided/Discogs
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6. Cosey Fanni Tutti – Time To Tell (1983) – £146.55
From a true icon of industrial and experimental music, Cosey Fanni Tutti's Time To Tell cassette is a rare piece of early 80s electronic artistry. Released independently and in limited quantities, this single-sided tape showcases her pioneering explorations in electronic soundscapes and avant-garde composition. Its scarcity and her enduring influence make it highly coveted. | Getty Images/Discogs
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7. A Certain Ratio – The Graveyard And The Ballroom (1980) – £160.00
This debut album by post-punk innovators A Certain Ratio is a significant Factory Records release (Fact 16). Issued on cassette in an incredibly early period for the format, it notably came in unique packaging, including a red pouch and two buttons. Factory's reputation for distinct aesthetics and limited, artful editions makes this original, complete package a prime target for collectors. | Getty Images/Discogs
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8. Ata Kak – Obaa Sima (1994) – £172.42
The legendary "lost" album that became a viral sensation, Ata Kak's Obaa Sima cassette, was originally self-released in Ghana and Canada, with only an estimated 50 copies ever made. A captivating blend of highlife, rap, and DIY electronics, its extreme rarity and eventual global rediscovery via the Awesome Tapes From Africa blog turned this once-obscure tape into a highly prized piece of global music history. | Provided/Discogs