Vinyl pressings
by Ahmad Jamal · 1980
Night Song was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 6 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.
M7-945R1(A-15A) ZYN #12 CBSide A runout etched
M7-945R1(B-15A) ZYN #12 CBSide B runout etched
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Side A&B runout stamped
M7-945R1ASide A label
M7-945R1(A-15A) ZYN #13 CBSide A runout etched, variant 1
M7-945R1(B-15A) ZYN #13 CBSide B runout etched, variant 1
M7-945R1(A-15A) ZYN #13 CB AGASide A runout etched, variant 2
M7-945R1(B-15A) ZYN #13 AGA CBSide B runout etched, variant 2
M7-945R1(A-15A) ZYN MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. CBSide A runout
M7-945R1(B-15B) ZYN MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. CBSide B runout
M7-945R1ASide A label
M7-945R1BSide B label
M7-945R/(A-15A) ZYN # 12 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. CBRunout Side 1 (etched / stamped
M7-945R/(B-15A) ZYN # 12 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. CBRunout Side 2 (etched / stamped
STML 12145ALabel - side A
STML 12145BLabel - side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Motown M 7945First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Guatemala | Motown M7-945R1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Panama | Motown M7-945R1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Philippines | Motown MLP 2731 (M7-945R1)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Motown STML 12145 / Motown 0C 062-64 179First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Motown M7-945R1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Motown M7-945R1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Motown M7-945R1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Motown M7-945R1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Motown M7-945R1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Motown M7-945R1 / Motown M7-945 R1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Motown M 945LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Motown VIJ-6360LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Japan | Motown M7-945R1LP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Motown MOW 21LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Night Song are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1980 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Guatemala and more. One of them is Motown M7-945R1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M7-945R1, STML 12145, M 7945, MLP 2731 (M7-945R1)) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M7-945R1(A-15A) ZYN #12 CB and M7-945R1(B-15A) ZYN #12 CB. 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.
