Vinyl pressings
by McCoy Tyner · 1972
Sahara 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.
9 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 3 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.
MSP 9039A 1972 AUDIOFIDELITY SONside a runout - etched
MSP 9039B 1972 AUDIOFIDELITY SONside b runout - etched
MSP-9039-AA-Side Label
MSP-9039-BB-Side Label
T MSP 9039-A-1side a runout - etched
T MSP 9039-B-1side b runout - etched
MSP-9039 (MSP-9039-A)A-Side Label
MSP-9039 (MSP-9039-B)B-Side Label
IT MSP 9039-A-1side a runout - etched
G P MSP 9039 Bside b runout - etched
(MSP-9039-A)A-Side Label
(MSP-9039-B)B-Side Label
MSP 9039A 1972 AUDIOFIDELITY SONSide A Runout - etched Variant 1
MSP 9039B 1972 AUDIOFIDELITY SONSide B Runout - etched Variant 1
MSP 9039A ℗1972 AUDIOFIDELITY SON RaySide A Runout - etched Variant 2
MSP 9039A ℗1972 AUDIOFIDELITY SON RaySide A Runout - etched Variant 2
MU 9111 A DTV MPORunout side A, stamped
MU 9111 B DTV MPORunout side B, stamped
Z Ⓑ MSP 9039A 1 1 1 + R S J K BRunout Side A (stamped)
M Ⓛ S P 9039B 1 1 1 + +Runout Side B (stamped)
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 | France | Milestone M-9111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Milestone SMJX-10141 / Milestone MSP 9039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Milestone MSP-9039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Milestone SMJX-10141 / Milestone MILES-10026First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | Milestone SMJX-10141 / Milestone MSP 9039First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Milestone MSP 9039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Milestone MSP 9039First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Milestone MSP 9039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Milestone MSP 9039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Milestone SMJX-10141LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Milestone MSP 9039LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Milestone MSP 9039LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1975 | Italy | Milestone MSM 9039LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | Japan | Milestone SMJ-6240LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Milestone SMJ-6240 / Milestone MILES-6034LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Japan | Milestone VIJ-6455LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | US | Original Jazz Classics OJC-311 / Milestone MSP-9039LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1989 | South Korea | Milestone OJC 311 / Milestone MSP-9039LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | South Korea | Yeh Eum Records YFJL-622 / Original Jazz Classics OJC-311LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-289 / Milestone MFSL 1-289LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Special Edition · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Special Edition · Limited, Numbered |
| 2008 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-289LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Original Jazz Classics OJC-311 / Milestone MSP-9309LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | US | Milestone CR00336 / Milestone CR00336-STEREOLP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | Milestone HBS 6032 / Milestone 9039LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Milestone MSM 9039 / Milestone HB.S 6032LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Milestone MSP 9039LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Milestone MSP 9039LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
27 vinyl pressings of Sahara are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1972 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, France, Japan. One of them is Milestone MSP 9039.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MSP 9039, M-9111, SMJX-10141, MSP-9039) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MSP 9039A 1972 AUDIOFIDELITY SON and MSP 9039B 1972 AUDIOFIDELITY SON. 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.
