Vinyl pressings
by Don Cherry · 1977
Hear & Now 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.
10 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 5 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.
(PR) ST-A-773839-A ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side A runout, etched/stamped [variant 1]
(PR) ST-A 773840-A ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side B runout, etched/stamped [variant 1]
ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Sides A & B runout, stamped [variant 1]
ST-A-773839-A ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. (PR)PSide A runout, stamped except (PR)P, etched [variant 2]
ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Sides A&B runout, stamped
PRC ST-A-773839-ASide A runout, etched
PRC ST-A 773840-ASide B runout, etched
(PR) ST-A-773839-AAA-1Side A runout, etched variant 2
ST-A-773839-AA MR △22287(1) (PR) Atlantic Studios D.K.Side A runout, variant 1
ST-A-773840-AA MR △22287-X(2) (PR) Atlantic Studios D.K.Side B runout, variant 1
ST-A-773839-AA MR △22287(2) (PR) Atlantic Studios D.K.Side A runout, variant 2
ST-A-773840-AA MR △22287-X(2) (PR) Atlantic Studios D.K.Side B runout, variant 2
(LATO 1): 59 W 18217 O 1L 17 6 77 P.V.
(LATO 2): 59 W 18217 O 2L 17 6 77 P.V.
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 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 383First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Atlantic SD 18217First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Atlantic W 50383First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Atlantic W 50383First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Atlantic P-10391AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Japan | Atlantic P-10391AFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Atlantic SD 18217First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Atlantic SD 18217First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Atlantic SD 18217LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | Atlantic SD 18217First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Atlantic SD 18217First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Spain | Atlantic S 90. 042LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 383LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | France | Klimt Records MJJ425CYLP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | US | Real Gone Music RGM-1506LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of Hear & Now are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1977 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Germany, Italy, Japan and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 18217.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 18217, ATL 50 383, W 50383, P-10391A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, (PR) ST-A-773839-A ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. and (PR) ST-A 773840-A ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.. 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.
