Vinyl pressings
by Joe Henderson · 1974
The Elements was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1974, 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.
T1 M9053A-1 ︵. .︵Side A runout, variant 1
T2 M9053B-1 ︵. .︵Side B runout, variant 1
T1 M9053A-1 ︵. .︵ A5Side A runout, variant 2
T2 M9053B-1 ︵. .︵ B4Side B runout, variant 2
A M9053 A RE /A ︵. .︵A side runout etched
A M9053B-1A RE ︵. .︵B side runout etched
M-9053-ASide A center label matrix
M-9053-BSide B center label matrix
T1 M9053A-1 ⁔. .⁔ B4Side A runout
T1 M9053B-2 ⁔. .⁔ A5Side B runout
M-9053-ASide A label
M-9053-BSide B label
M9053 A RE ⌢ . . ⌢ A S1Side A runout
M9053 B-1A ⌢ . . ⌢ A S1Side B runout
M-9053-ASide A label
M-9053-BSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | France | Milestone 2C 064-95637First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Milestone BLPS 19184 / Bellaphon BLPS 19184First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Milestone SMJ-6057First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Milestone SMJ-6057First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Milestone M-9053First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Milestone M-9053First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Milestone M-9053First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Milestone M-9053First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | US | Milestone MIL00001LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 2018 | Europe | Milestone 0888072025165LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Milestone 0888072025165LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Milestone MX 9053LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of The Elements are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1974 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, France, Germany, Japan. One of them is Milestone M-9053.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M-9053, 2C 064-95637, BLPS 19184, SMJ-6057) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 M9053A-1 ︵. .︵ and T2 M9053B-1 ︵. .︵. 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.
