Vinyl pressings
by Rob Playford · 1997
Distorted Dreams / The Shadow was first pressed on vinyl in 1997. 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 1997, the album's first year. 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.
SHADOW-100.X1 DOM + ROB - CUT BY ROB + SIMON - THE EXCHANGERunout side A, etched
SHADOW-100 Y1 NUMBER 100 !! ROB & GOLDIE - CUT BY ROB & SIMON @ THE EXCHANGERunout side B, etched
SHADOW-100R1-X1 SIMON THE EXCHANGE mA. E.Side X runout, etched
SHADOW 100R1-Y1 mA. E. SIMON THE EXCHANGESide Y runout, etched
SHADOW 100R2-X1 SIMON THE EXCHANGE mA. E.Runout side X, etched
SHADOW-100R2-Y1 mA. E. SIMON - THE EXCHANGERunout side Y, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | UK | Moving Shadow SHADOW 100 R1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1997 | UK | Moving Shadow SHADOW 100 R2First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1997 | UK | Moving Shadow SHADOW 10012", White Label, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", White Label, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1997 | UK | Moving Shadow SHADOW 100R212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing, Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing, Limited |
| 1997 | UK | Moving Shadow SHADOW 100-X / Moving Shadow SHADOW 100-YFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited |
| 1997 | UK | Moving Shadow UK SHADOW 100 / Moving Shadow SHADOW 100First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1997 | UK | Moving Shadow SHADOW 100R1 / Moving Shadow UK SHADOW 100R1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1997 | UK | Moving Shadow SHADOW 100R2 / Moving Shadow UK SHADOW 100R2First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1997 | UK | Moving Shadow SHADOW 100 LTDFirst year12", Single Sided, Etched, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", Single Sided, Etched, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1997 | UK | Moving Shadow Shadow100R1 & Shadow100R2First year12", Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited | 12", Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited |
10 vinyl pressings of Distorted Dreams / The Shadow are listed here, from 1 country.
The earliest pressings are from 1997, in UK. One of them is Moving Shadow UK SHADOW 100, released March 17, 1997.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UK SHADOW 100, SHADOW 100R1, SHADOW 100R2, SHADOW 100 LTD) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHADOW-100.X1 DOM + ROB - CUT BY ROB + SIMON - THE EXCHANGE and SHADOW-100 Y1 NUMBER 100 !! ROB & GOLDIE - CUT BY ROB & SIMON @ THE EXCHANGE. 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.
