Vinyl pressings
by Jack DeJohnette · 1978
New Directions was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 4 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.
2301 128 S1 320 1 CSide A runout stamped, variant 1
2301 128 S2 320 1 CSide B runout stamped, variant 1
2301 128 S1 320 1 HSide A runout stamped, variant 2
2301 128 S2 320 1 ASide B runout stamped, variant 2
2301 128 S1 320 1 LSide A runout
2301 128 S2 320 1 FSide B runout
JB ECM-1-1128 A #3 ['Tulip' symbol] 33677 Mo#3Side A runout, variant 1
JB ECM-1-1128-B #6 ['Tulip' symbol] 33677 Mo#3Side B runout, variant 1
JB ECM-1-1128 A #7 ['Tulip' symbol] 3367Side A runout, variant 2
JB ECM-1-1128-B #6 ['Tulip' symbol] 33677 MO#2Side B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1128 / ECM Records 2301 128First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1128 / ECM Records 2301 128First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1128 / ECM Records 2301 128First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1128 / ECM Records 2301 128LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Japan | Trio Records PAP-9124 / ECM Records ECM 1128First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Trio Records PAP-9124 / ECM Records ECM 1128First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Spain | ECM Records ECM 1128First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1128First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1128LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | ECM Records 58.022LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | ECM Records 25MJ 3332LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of New Directions are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1978 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Germany, US, Japan, Spain. One of them is ECM Records ECM 1128.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ECM 1128, ECM-1-1128, PAP-9124) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2301 128 S1 320 1 C and 2301 128 S2 320 1 C. 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.
