Germany
1979- Label and catalog number
- Arista 1C 064-63 314EMI Electrola 1C 064-63 314
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
63 314-A-0Runout side A, stamped
63 314-B-0Runout side B, stamped
Vinyl pressings
Time Is The Key
by Pierre Moerlen's Gong · 1979
19 pressings9 countriesFusionProg RockJazz-RockJazz
Time Is The Key was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 Time Is The Key
9 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 6 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.
Germany
1979- Label and catalog number
- Arista 1C 064-63 314EMI Electrola 1C 064-63 314
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo, White Label
- Runout / matrix
63 314-A-0Side A, stamped
63 314-B-0Side B, stamped
UK
October 1979- Label and catalog number
- Arista SPART 1105
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
SPART Y 1105 A//1▽E T 1 1 5 SARunout side A, var 1
SPART Y 1105 B//1▽E T 1 1 10 G.T.Runout side B, var 1
SPART▽ 1105 A//1▽E T 1 1 4 SARunout side A, var 2
SPART▽ 1105 B//1▽E T 1 2 G.T.Runout side B, var 2
US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Arista AB 4255
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
AB-4255-SA sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢSide A runout etched [sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped]
AB-4255-SB -2 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢSide B runout etched [sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped]
AB 4255 SASide A label
AB 4255 SBSide B label
US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Arista AB 4255
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
IS AB-4255-SA ① STERLING A3Runout A, variant 1
IS AB⸱4255-SB ① STERLING B1Runout B, variant 1
IS AB-4255-SA ① STERLING B2Runout A, variant 2
IS AB-4255-SB ① STERLING A2Runout B, variant 2
US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Arista AB 4255
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Terre Haute
- Runout / matrix
T1 AB-4255 -SA CT-1 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢSide A, etched, sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped, var 1
T1 AB-4255 - SB CT-1 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢSide B, etched, sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped, var 1
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 19 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s10 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | Arista AB 4255First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | Arista 201 183-320 / Arista 201 183First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | Arista 2C 070 63314 / Arista 2C 070 - 63.314First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Arista 1C 064-63 314 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-63 314First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Arista 1C 064-63 314 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-63 314First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1979 | Germany | Arista 201 183-270 / Arista 201 183LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Arista AB 4255First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Arista AB 4255First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Arista AB 4255First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Arista SPART 1105First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
1980s6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Greece | Arista 6483212LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Greece | Arista 6483212LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Arista ARS 39033LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Arista I-201183LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Arista 201 183-320 / Arista 201 183LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1986 | Germany | Arista 201 183-270 / Arista 201 183LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
1990s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Great Expectations PIPLP 018LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Arista 201 183-320 / Arista 201 183LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Arista 201 183-320 / Arista 201 183LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
Tracklist
- A1Ard Na Greine6:12
- A2Earthrise2:25
- A3Supermarket3:37
- A4Faerie Steps5:33
- A5An American In England2:55
- B1The Organ Grinder3:55
- B2Sugar Street2:22
- B3The Bender3:17
- B4Arabesque Intro3:23
- B5Arabesque1:52
- B6Esnuria Two5:39
- B7Time Is The Key2:27
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Time Is The Key are there?
19 vinyl pressings of Time Is The Key are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1979 and 1990.
When was Time Is The Key first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Germany, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is Arista 1C 064-63 314.
How do I tell if my copy of Time Is The Key is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1C 064-63 314, SPART 1105, AB 4255, 201 183-320) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 63 314-A-0 and 63 314-B-0. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Time Is The Key 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.
