Vinyl pressings
by Vangelis · 1988
Direct was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 10 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.
AL 8545 SA-SP-DMM SP1-1 STERLING - 3Side A, etched, variant 1
AL 8545 SB DMM SP2 SP1-1 STERLING - 2Side B, etched, variant 1
AL 8545 SA-SP-DMM STERLING - 2Side A, etched, variant 2
AL 8545 SB DMM SP2 STERLING - 2Side B, etched, variant 2
AL 8545 SA-SP-DMM SP1-1SM2-1 STERLING-2Side A runout etched
AL 8545 SB DMM SP2 SP3-1 STERLING-2Side B runout etched
BMG 140.8058-A 1S A1Runout side A
BMG 140.8058-B 1S A2Runout side B
AL-8545 A¹ #3 CRSide A run-out area
AL-8545 B¹ #3 CRSide B run-out area
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | Arista TPL 90156First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | Arista 140 8058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Arista AL-8545First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Arista 209 149First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Arista 209 149First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1988 | Germany | Arista 209149LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Greece | Arista 74032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Israel | Arista BAN 209149-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Portugal | Arista 209 149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | Arista 209 149 / BMG Ariola España 209 149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Arista AL-8545First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Arista AL-8545First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Arista AL-8545LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | US | Arista AL-8545First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Venezuela | Arista 7863First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2843 / Arista MOVLP2843LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Arista AL-8545LP, Album | LP, Album |
20 vinyl pressings of Direct are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1988 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, Argentina, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Arista AL-8545.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL-8545, TPL 90156, 140 8058, 209 149) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 8545 SA-SP-DMM SP1-1 STERLING - 3 and AL 8545 SB DMM SP2 SP1-1 STERLING - 2. 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.
