Vinyl pressings
by Jeremy Steig · 1972
Fusion was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
GM 2204-A1 ... SON Bell Sound sf K 5006A-Side Runout
GM 2204-B2 ... SON Bell Sound sf K 5051B-Side Runout
GM 2204-C1 ... SON Bell Sound sf K 5008C-Side Runout
GM 2204-D1 ... SON Bell Sound sf K 5009D-Side Runout
GM 2204-A 1 SON Bell Sound sf K-5006Side A runout, etched
GM 2204-B 2 SON Bell Sound sf K-5051Side B runout, etched
GM 2204-C 1 SON Bell Sound sf K-5008Side C runout, etched
GM 2204-D 1 Bell Sound SON sf K-5009Side D runout, etched
T1 GM2204A 3... Bell Sound sf BDeadwax, side A
T1 GM–2204 B 3... Bell Sound sf ΛDeadwax, side B
T1 GM–2204–C 3... Bell Sound sf ΛDeadwax, side C
T1 GM–2204D3... Bell Sound sf ΛDeadwax, side D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | Groove Merchant GM 2204First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Groove Merchant GM 2204First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Groove Merchant GM 2204First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Groove Merchant GM 2204First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Groove Merchant GM 2204First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Groove Merchant GM 2204First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA SR 3018/1-2 / RCA Victor SR 3018/1-2LP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA SR 3018/1-2 / RCA Victor SR 3018/1-2LP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Germany | Groove Merchant GM 2204LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| 1979 | France | America Records AM 6147LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Canada | Unidisc GMLP2-2204LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
11 vinyl pressings of Fusion are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1972 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Canada. One of them is Groove Merchant GM 2204, released January 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GM 2204) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GM 2204-A1 ... SON Bell Sound sf K 5006 and GM 2204-B2 ... SON Bell Sound sf K 5051. 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.
