Vinyl pressings
by Sonny Rollins · 1977
The Way I Feel was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. 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 1977, the album's first year, in 5 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.
S1 M9074ARE2 - 1A [Eyes with eyebrows] FMLI 7577DT CRP SM #1A-side runout, variant 1
S1 M9074BRE2 - 1A [Eyes with eyebrows] FML1-1577DT CRP SM #1 B1B-side runout, variant 1
S1 M9074ARE2 - 1A [Eyes with eyebrows] FMLI 7577DT B 2 CRP SM #1A-side runout, variant 2
S1 M9074BRE2 - 1A [Eyes with eyebrows] FML1-1577DT CRP SM #1 B1B-side runout, variant 2
T M 9074 A PA runout etched
T M 9074 B PB runout etched
M-9074-ALabel, side A
M-9074-BLabel, side B
P M9074A (eyes with wings symbol) FMLF1577DT CRPPIT#1 B DSide 2 runout [variant 2]
P M9074B (eyes with wings symbol) FMLF1577DT CRPPIT#1Side 2 runout [variant 2]
M 9074 A (eyes with wings symbol) FMLI 7577DT CRPPIT#1!Side 1
M 9074 B (eyes with wings symbol) FMLI 7577DT CRPPIT#1!Side 2
MPO MU 9107 A DTVRunout side A, stamped
MPO MU 9107 B DTVRunout side B, stamped
9107 AMatrix on label side A
9107 BMatrix on label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | France | Milestone 9107First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Milestone MSM 9074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Milestone SMJ-6157First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Milestone SMJ-6157First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | Milestone M-9074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Milestone M-9074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Milestone M-9074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Milestone M 9074LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | Milestone M-9074First yearLP, Album, LP, Album | LP, Album, LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Milestone M-9074First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Japan | Milestone M-9074LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of The Way I Feel are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1977 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, France, Italy and more. One of them is Milestone M-9074, released February 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M-9074, 9107, MSM 9074, SMJ-6157) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S1 M9074ARE2 - 1A [Eyes with eyebrows] FMLI 7577DT CRP SM #1 and S1 M9074BRE2 - 1A [Eyes with eyebrows] FML1-1577DT CRP SM #1 B1. 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.
