Vinyl pressings
by Wayne Shorter · 1979
The Soothsayer was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, 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.
〄 SILBT 9180-1Runout side A, variant 1
〄 SILBT 9181-2Runout side B, variant 1
〄 SILBT 9180-2Runout side A, variant 2
〄 SILBT 9181-5Runout side B, variant 2
A000 LT-988-1Side 1
A000 LT-988-2Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Brazil | Blue Note 31C 052 82952First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Blue Note GXF 3054 / Blue Note GXF-3054First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | South Africa | Blue Note BNTJ(M) 1021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Blue Note LBR 1021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Blue Note LT-988First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Blue Note LT-988First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Blue Note GXK 8152 / Blue Note GXK-8152LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | US | Blue Note LT-988LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Music Matters Ltd. MM-LT-988 / Blue Note LT-988LP, 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2011 | US | Music Matters Ltd. MM-LT-988LP, 45 RPM, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, 45 RPM, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2011 | US | Music Matters Ltd. MM-LT-988LP, 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2013 | Italy | Blue Note LT-988LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2018 | UK & Ireland | Blue Note LT-988LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Russia | Blue Note LT-988LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2025 | Worldwide | Blue Note 6807007 / UMe 6807007LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of The Soothsayer are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1979 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Japan, UK, US, Brazil and more. One of them is Blue Note GXF 3054.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GXF 3054, LBR 1021, LT-988, 31C 052 82952) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 〄 SILBT 9180-1 and 〄 SILBT 9181-2. 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.
