US
November 1964- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BLP 4175
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono · DG side 1
- Runout / matrix
(Runout side A): BNLP-4175-A VAN GELDER
(Runout side B): BNLP-4175-B VAN GELDER
Vinyl pressings
Empyrean Isles
by Herbie Hancock · 1964
42 pressings8 countriesModalJazz
Empyrean Isles was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. 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 Empyrean Isles
4 pressings came out in 1964, 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.
US
November 1964- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BST 84175
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
BNST 84175-ALabel, side A
BNST 84175-BLabel, side B
US
November 1964- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BLP 4175
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono · No DG
- Runout / matrix
(Runout side A): BNLP-4175-A VAN GELDER
(Runout side B): BNLP-4175-B VAN GELDER
US
November 1964- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BLP 4175
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono · DG side 2
- Runout / matrix
(Runout side A): BNLP-4175-A VAN GELDER
(Runout side B): BNLP-4175-B VAN GELDER
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 42 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s9 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | US | Blue Note BLP 4175First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Blue Note BST 84175First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | Blue Note BLP 4175First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Blue Note BLP 4175First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Blue Note BST 84175LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Blue Note BST 84175LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Blue Note BST 84175LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Blue Note BLP 4175LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Blue Note BLP 4175LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
1970s11 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | US | Blue Note BST-84175LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue |
| 1971 | US | Blue Note BST-84175LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue |
| 1971 | US | Blue Note BST 84175LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Blue Note BST-84175LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1973 | US | Blue Note 84175LP, Misprint, Reissue | LP, Misprint, Reissue |
| 1973 | US | Blue Note BST 84175LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | France | Blue Note BSTF 84175 / Blue Note BSTF 84.175LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Blue Note BST-84175LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Blue Note BST-84175LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Blue Note BST-84175LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | Blue Note GXK-8002 / Blue Note GXK 8002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
1980s9 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | France | Blue Note BST 84175LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | France | Blue Note BST 84175LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | Blue Note BNJ-71027LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Japan | Blue Note BNJ 71027 / Blue Note BST84175LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | Blue Note 14C 062-2400081 / Blue Note 062-2400081LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Blue Note BST 84175LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1985 | US | Blue Note BST 84175LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | Venezuela | Blue Note B.N 26406 / Blue Note 26406LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | France | Blue Note BST 84175LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress |
1990s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | US | Jazz Heritage 912944XLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
2000s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | US | Music Matters Ltd. ABNJ-84175LP, 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
2010s7 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | US | Music Matters Ltd. MMBST-84175 / Blue Note BST 8417512", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2012 | US | Music Matters Ltd. MMBST-84175 / Blue Note BST 8417512", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2014 | US | Music Matters Ltd. MMBNST-84175LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2015 | Europe | Blue Note ST-84175 / Universal Music Group International 00602547085627LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2015 | US | Blue Note B0022238-01 / UMe B0022238-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2015 | US | Music Matters Ltd. MMBST-84175 / Blue Note ST-84175LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| 2018 | Spain | Elemental Music ERLP 1049 / Blue Note BST 84175LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
2020s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Future Shock FS4469LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Worldwide | Blue Note 4859562 / UMe 4859562LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Blue Note BLP 4175LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Blue Note BST 84175 / Blue Note ST-84175LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1One Finger Snap
- A2Oliloqui Valley
- B1Cantaloupe Island
- B2The Egg
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Empyrean Isles are there?
42 vinyl pressings of Empyrean Isles are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1964 and 2023.
When was Empyrean Isles first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US. One of them is Blue Note BLP 4175, released November 1964.
How do I tell if my copy of Empyrean Isles is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BLP 4175, BST 84175) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, (Runout side A): BNLP-4175-A VAN GELDER and (Runout side B): BNLP-4175-B VAN GELDER. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Empyrean Isles 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.
