US
1963- Label and catalog number
- Argo LP-716Argo Jazz 716
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
- Runout / matrix
LP-716 S-1 12349 P4RM-6620-1Runout A, etched
LP-716 S-2 12350 P4RM-6621-1Runout B, etched
12349 P4RM-6620Label A
12350 P4RM-6621Label B
Vinyl pressings
Free
by Benny Golson Quartet · 1963
18 pressings3 countriesHard BopPost BopJazz
Free was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Free
7 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year, in 3 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.
US
1963- Label and catalog number
- Argo LP-716Argo LPS-716
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
P4RS-6622-1 LPS-716 S-1 12349 Ø IRunout A, etched
P4RS-6623-1 LPS-716 S-2 12350 Ø IRunout B, etched
12349 / P4RS-6622Label A
12350 / P4RS-6623Label B
US
1963- Label and catalog number
- Argo LP-716Argo Jazz 716
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
US
1963- Label and catalog number
- Argo LP-716Argo Jazz DJLP-716
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Deep Groove
- Runout / matrix
LP-716 S-1 12349 P4RM-6620-1Side A
LP-716 S-2 12350 P4RM-6621-1Side B
Australia
1963- Label and catalog number
- Chess CHLS 204Chess CHLS-204
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
MX142439 CHLS204-1Side A runout, etched
MX142440 CHLS204-2Side B runout, etched
MX142439Side A label
MX142440Side B label
Australia
1963- Label and catalog number
- Chess CHL 204Chess CHL-204
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
- Runout / matrix
MX142437 CHL204-1Side A runout, etched
MX142438 CHL204-2Side B runout, etched
MX142437Side A label
MX142448Side B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 18 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s8 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Australia | Chess CHLS 204 / Chess CHLS-204First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | Australia | Chess CHL 204 / Chess CHL-204First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Japan | Globe SMJ-7148 / Argo Jazz SMJ-7148First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | Argo LP-716 / Argo Jazz 716First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Argo LP-716 / Argo LPS-716First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | Argo LP-716 / Argo Jazz 716First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Argo LP-716 / Argo Jazz DJLP-716First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1965 | US | Cadet LPS-716 / Cadet LPS-716LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
1970s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Japan | Cadet MJ-1004LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | Chess BT-8049LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | Chess BT-8049LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | Chess BT-8049LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
1980s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Japan | Baybridge Records UPS-2211-B / Cadet MJ-1004LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Baybridge Records UPS-2211-BLP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Japan | Cadet ULS-6114-BCLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Cadet CA-716 / Argo LP-716LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Argo LP-716 / Argo Jazz 716LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| ? | US | Argo LP-716 / Argo Jazz 716LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1Sock Cha Cha7:10
- A2Mad About The Boy7:15
- A3Just By Myself5:45
- B1Shades Of Stein4:30
- B2My Romance7:30
- B3Just In Time5:55
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Free are there?
18 vinyl pressings of Free are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1963 and 1984.
When was Free first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, Australia, Japan. One of them is Argo LP-716.
How do I tell if my copy of Free is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LP-716, CHLS 204, CHL 204, SMJ-7148) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LP-716 S-1 12349 P4RM-6620-1 and LP-716 S-2 12350 P4RM-6621-1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Free on vinyl worth?
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.