Vinyl pressings
by Brian Eno · 1975
Discreet Music was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1975, 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.
OBSCURE•3•A2 > 2Side A runout, variant 1
OBSCURE•3•B2 > 1Side B runout, variant 1
OBSCURE•3•A2 F1Side A runout, variant 2
OBSCURE•3•B2 * 8Side B runout, variant 2
AN7030A-1A 1TRunout A - etched
AN7030B-1B 1TRunout B - etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | US | Antilles AN-7030LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1975 | UK | Obscure obscure no. 3 / Island Records obscure no. 3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Antilles AN-7030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Obscure obscure no. 3 / Island Records obscure no. 3LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1978 | UK | Obscure OBS 3LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | UK | Obscure OBS 3LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | UK | Obscure OBS 3LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | US | Antilles AN-7030LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Japan | Editions EG 25MM 0158 / Polydor 25MM 0158LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Japan | Editions EG 25MM 0158 / Polydor 25MM 0158LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Editions EG EGS 303 / Obscure EGS 303LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Editions EG EGS 303LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Canada | Editions EG EGED-23LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | UK | Editions EG EGED 23 / Virgin EGED 23LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Europe | Virgin EMI Records ENOLP5LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2018 | Europe | Virgin EMI Records ENO2LP512", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Italy | Dialogo OBS 03LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Editions EG EGS 303LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Unknown | Editions EG EGS 303LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Unknown | Editions EG EGS 303LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Unknown | Editions EG EGS 303LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Canada | Editions EG EGED 303LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Editions EG EGED 23LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Editions EG EGED 23 / Polydor EGED 23LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Editions EG EGED 23 / Polydor EGED 23LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Antilles AN-7030LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Editions EG EGS 303LP, Album | LP, Album |
27 vinyl pressings of Discreet Music are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1975 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US. One of them is Obscure obscure no. 3, released November 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use obscure no. 3, AN-7030) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, OBSCURE•3•A2 > 2 and OBSCURE•3•B2 > 1. 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.
