Vinyl pressings
by Christopher Hobbs · 1975
Ensemble Pieces 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.
1 pressing came out in 1975, the album's first year. 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.
GM OBSCURE NO·2·AI >Runout A, stamped
GM OBSCURE NO·2·BI >Runout B, stamped
1Runout A, hand-etched variant 1
2Runout B, hand-etched, variant 1
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 | UK | Obscure obscure no. 2 / Island Records obscure no. 2First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | UK | Obscure obscure no. 2LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1978 | UK | Obscure obscure no. 2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | UK | Obscure OBS 2 / Obscure obscure no. 2LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Japan | Editions EG 25MM 0156 / Polydor 25MM 0156LP, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1982 | Japan | Editions EG 25MM 0156 / Polydor 25MM 0156LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | UK | Editions EG EGED 22 / Polydor 2335 246LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Italy | Dialogo DIALP927LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2025 | US | Superior Viaduct SV207LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Editions EG 25MM 0156 / Polydor 25MM 0156LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Obscure obscure no. 2 / Editions EG EGED 22LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of Ensemble Pieces are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1975 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK. One of them is Obscure obscure no. 2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use obscure no. 2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GM OBSCURE NO·2·AI > and GM OBSCURE NO·2·BI >. 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.
