Vinyl pressings
by Anthony Braxton · 1977
The Montreux / Berlin Concerts was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 2 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.
AL-5002-A-2-11-1 PRC MASTERDISK PRC P5-VALRunout side A
AL-5002-B-2-1-1 PRC MASTERDISK 1P-VAL PRCRunout side B
AL-5002-C - 2-1-1 PRC MASTERDISKRunout side C
AL-5002-D 2-1-11 PRCRunout side D
AL-5002-A-2-11-1 PRC MASTERDISK PRC P5-VALRunout side A
AL-5002-B-2-1-1 PRC MASTERDISK 1P-VAL PRCRunout side B
AL-5002-C - 2-1-1 PRC MASTERDISKRunout side C
AL-5002-D 2-1-11 PRCRunout side D
AL 5002 SA MASTERDISK AUDIO MATRIX PYRALEtched Side A, except stamped "MASTERDISK"
AL 5002 SB MASTERDISK AUDIO MATRIX PYRALEtched Side B, except stamped "MASTERDISK"
AL 5002 SC MASTERDISK AUDIO MATRIX PYRALEtched Side C, except stamped "MASTERDISK"
AL 5002 SD MASTERDISK AUDIO MATRIXEtched Side D, except stamped "MASTERDISK"
AL-5002-SA MASTERDISKRunout side A
AL-5002-SB MASTERDISKRunout side B
AL-5002-SC MASTERDISKRunout side C
AL-5002-SD MASTERDISKRunout side D
AL-5002-A-2-11-1 PRC MASTERDISK PRC PYRALRunout side A
AL-5002-B-2-1-1 PRC MASTERDISK 1P-VAL PRCRunout side B
AL-5002-C-2-1-1 PRC MASTERDISK PRC PYRALRunout side C
AL-5002-D 2-1-11 PRC MASTERDISK PRC PYRALRunout side D
AL-5002-SA MASTERDISK AUDIO MATRIX PYRALRunout, side A, etched, except "MASTERDISK" stamped
AL-5002-B pp MASTERDISK AUDIO MATRIX PYRALRunout, side B, etched, except "MASTERDISK" stamped
AL-5002-SC MASTERDISK AUDIO MATRIX PYRALRunout, side C, etched, except "MASTERDISK" stamped
AL-5002-SD MASTERDISK AUDIO MATRIXRunout, side D, etched, except "MASTERDISK" stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | Arista AL 5002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Arista AL 5002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Arista AL 5002First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Arista AL 5002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Arista AL 5002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Arista AL 5002 / Arista 5002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Arista AL 5002LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | Arista AL 5002First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Arista AL 5002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Italy | Record Bazaar 2 RB 290LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of The Montreux / Berlin Concerts are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1977 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Canada. One of them is Arista AL 5002.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 5002) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-5002-A-2-11-1 PRC MASTERDISK PRC P5-VAL and AL-5002-B-2-1-1 PRC MASTERDISK 1P-VAL PRC. 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.
