Vinyl pressings
by Steve Reich · 1978
Music For 18 Musicians was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, 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.
ECM-1-1129A [tulip symbol] 33678 MO#6 #1 JBSide A Runout, Variant 1
ECM-1-1129B MO#6 JB #1 [tulip symbol] 33678Side B Runout, Variant 1
ECM-1-1129A MO#5 [tulip symbol] 33678 #4 JBSide A Runout, Variant 2
ECM-1-1129B #6 [tulip symbol] 33678 MO#4 JBSide B Runout, Variant 2
ECM-1-1129A #6 WM 33678-A1 RBSide A runout, variant 1
ECM-1-1129B #3 WM 33678-B1 MO #2 RBSide B runout, variant 1
ECM-1-1129-A1 #3 WM 33678-A1 RBSide A runout, variant 2
ECM-1-1129-B1 #2 WM 33678-B1 MO #2 RBSide B runout, variant 2
ECM-1-1129A MO#4 [tulip symbol] 33678 #3 JBSide A Runout, Etched JB etched above the matrix{Read counter clockwise from matrix}, variant 1
ECM-1-1129B JB #4 [tulip symbol] 33678 MO #4Side B Runout, Etched {Read counter clockwise from matrix}, variant 1
ECM-1-1129A JB #8 [tulip symbol] 33678 MO#3Side A Runout, Etched, variant 2
ECM-1-1129B MO#3 JB #8 [tulip symbol] 33678Side B Runout, Etched, variant 2
2563 931 = 3 S1 320A-side runout, variant 1
2563 931 S2 = 4 320B-side runout, variant 1
2563 931 = 3 S 1 3 20 Q 1A-side runout, variant 2
2563 931 = 3 S 2 3 20 1 KB-side runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1129 / ECM Records 2301 129First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1129 / ECM Records 2301 129First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2563 931First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | ECM Records ECM 1129 / Trio Records PAC-2055First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | ECM Records ECM 1129 / Trio Records PAC-2055First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1129First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | ECM Records PRO-A-791First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Sampler · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Sampler · Promo |
| 1978 | US | ECM Records ECM 1-1129First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | ECM Records ECM 1-1129First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1129LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | ECM Records 58.024LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | ECM Records ECM 1129 / Edigsa 11-0043LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1129 / ECM Records 2301 129LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1129 / ECM Records 2301 129LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
14 vinyl pressings of Music For 18 Musicians are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1978 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Germany, Japan. One of them is ECM Records ECM-1-1129.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ECM-1-1129, ECM 1-1129, PRO-A-791, ECM 1129) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ECM-1-1129A [tulip symbol] 33678 MO#6 #1 JB and ECM-1-1129B MO#6 JB #1 [tulip symbol] 33678. 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.
