Vinyl pressings
by The Sun Ra Arkestra · 1968
Sound Of Joy was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
DS 414-A RE-1 (ᵛᵛ) 10953Runout, side A
DS 414-B RE-1 (ᵛᵛ) 10953Runout, side B
OW DS 414 A RE-1 (ᵛᵛ) 10953Side A Runout - Version 1: All etched, exept (ᵛᵛ) [tulip symbol] stamped
OW DS-414 B RE-1 (ᵛᵛ) 10953Side B Runout - Version 1: All etched, exept (ᵛᵛ) [tulip symbol] stamped
OW DS414A RE-1 [flower] 10953Side A
OW DS414B RE-1 [flower] 10953Side B
DS 414-A RE-1 (ᵛᵛ) 10953Runout, side A
DS 414-B RE-1 (ᵛᵛ) 10953Runout, side B
DS 414-A RE-1 (ᵛᵛ) 10953Runout, side A
DS 414-B RE-1 (ᵛᵛ) 10953Runout, side B
DS 414 A SJW-10953 OWRunout, side A
DS 414 B SJW-10953 OWRunout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | US | Delmark Records DS-414First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Delmark Records DS-414First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Delmark Records DS-414First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Delmark Records DS-414First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Delmark Records DS-414First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Delmark Records DS-414First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | UK | Delmark Records DS-414LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Delmark Records DS-414LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1971 | France | BYG Records BYG 529162 / BYG Records 529.162LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Delmark Records DS-414LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Delmark Records DS-414LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | France | Sam Records ARTISAN 7 / Saga ARTISAN 7LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Limited, Numbered |
| 2025 | France | Sam Records SRSLP07 / Saga SRSLP07LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | BYG Records BYG 529162 / BYG Records 529 162LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Delmark Records DS-414LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Delmark Records DS-414LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Sound Of Joy are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1968 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US. One of them is Delmark Records DS-414.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DS-414) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DS 414-A RE-1 (ᵛᵛ) 10953 and DS 414-B RE-1 (ᵛᵛ) 10953. 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.
