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ESP-disk Records Listing

August 4, 2000 By Michael Fitzgerald

compiled by Michael Fitzgerald
September 1997-August 4, 2000

This is not a catalog. This is a discographical tool for researchers. I have no idea how to obtain these records. Please visit http://www.espdisk.com/ for such information.

Thanks to contributors:

Mike Buck <mbuck60@hotmail.com>
Paul Costuros <costuros@costuros.com>
Les Fradkin <lfradkin@earthlink.net
Andy Galkin <amgalkin@ix.netcom.com>
Katsuhiro Imai <mtkisco@po.aianet.ne.jp>
Gregor Kessler <gregor@hayfever.de>
Jonathan L. Kutler <jkutler@hotmail.com>
Henry Loess <hloess@pipeline.com>
Paul L. Madarasz <plmad@primenet.com>
Frank Malczewski <malczews@pogo.ast.lmco.com>
Chuck Nessa <nessa@earthlink.net>
Craig Parrish <Cwp1955@aol.com>
Mark Raap <raap@bc.sympatico.ca>
Andrew Rogers <andrew.rogers@east.sun.com>
Jeff Schwartz <jeffs@bgnet.bgsu.edu>
Bernard Stollman
Ken Waxman <cj649@freenet.toronto.on.ca>
Jack Woker <stereo@ix.netcom.com>
François Ziegler <ziegler@math.yale.edu>
<splashone@earthlink.net>


ESPARTISTTITLE
1001   (Esperanto Record)Ni Kantu En Esperanto
1002Ayler, AlbertSpiritual Unity
1003Sanders, PharoahPharoah
1003Sanders, PharoahPharaoh's First
1004New York Art QuartetNew York Art Quartet
1005Allen, ByronTrio
1006Coleman, OrnetteTown Hall 1962
1007Logan, GiuseppiQuartet
1008Bley, PaulBarrage
1009James, BobExplosions
1010Ayler, AlbertBells
1011Blake, RanPlays Solo Piano
1012Davidson, LowellTrio featuring Gary Peacock
1013Logan, GiuseppiMore
1014Sun RaHeliocentric Worlds Of Sun Ra, The 1
1015Graves, MilfordPercussion Ensemble
1016Ayler, Albert & Don Cherry New York Eye And Ear Control
1017Sun RaHeliocentric Worlds Of Sun Ra, The 2
1018Fugs, TheBroadside Album
1019Erdman, JeanCoach With The Six Insides, The
1020Ayler, AlbertSpirits Rejoice
1021Bley, PaulCloser
1022Brown, MarionQuartet
1023Wright, FrankTrio
1024Greene, BurtonQuartet
1025Waters, PattySings
1026Grimes, HenryCall, The
1027Leary, TimothyTurn On, Tune In, Drop Out
1028Fugs, TheFugs, The
1029Tyler, CharlesEnsemble
1030Simmons, SonnyStaying On The Watch
1031Howard, NoahQuartet
1032Murray, SunnySunny Murray
1033(Various Artists)[ESP Sampler]
1034East Village OtherEast Village Other
1035Kupferberg, TuliNo Deposit, No Return
1036Lancaster, Byard[NEVER ISSUED?]
1037Godz, TheContact High With The Godz
1038Fugs, TheVirgin Fugs
1039Burns, RandyOf Love And War
1040Brown, MarionWhy Not?
1041Berger, KarlFrom Now On
1042Hampel, GunterMusic From Europe
1043Simmons, SonnyMusic From The Spheres
1044Watts, MarzetteMarzette & Company
1045Sun RaNothing Is
1046  
1047Godz, The2
1048Sondheim, AlanRitual-All-7-70
1049Barbieri, GatoIn Search Of The Mystery
1050Burroughs, WilliamCall Me Burroughs
1051(Various Artists)ESP Sampler
1052Zitro, JamesWest Coast Music
1053Wright, FrankYour Prayer
1054Pearls Before SwineOne Nation Underground
1055Waters, PattyCollege Tour
1056Movement SoulLove Recording Of Songs And...
1057Lemer, PeterLocal Colour
1058Gagnier, Sean[NEVER ISSUED]
1059Tyler, CharlesEastern Man Alone
1060Lacy, SteveForest And The Zoo, The
1061Moore, JerryBallad Of Birmingham
1061Moore, JerryLife Is A Constant Journey Home
1062Coursil, JacquesUnit [never issued]
1063New York Electric String Ensemble New York Electric String Ensemble
1064Howard, NoahAt Judson Hall
1065Music From The Orthodox Liturgy Music From The Orthodox Liturgy
1066Powell, BudBlue Note Cafe Paris 1961
1067HARYOU Percussion Ensemble Sounds Of Ghetto Youth
1068Holy Modal RoundersIndian War Whoop
1069MacKay, BruceMidnight Minstrel
1070  
1071Bley, Paul[never issued double album]
1072Snell, TonyFungus And Englishmen Abroad
1073Howard, NormanBurn, Baby, Burn [never issued]
1074Greene, BurtonTrio On Tour
1075Pearls Before SwineBalaklava
1076Elstak, NedleyMachine, The
1077Godz, TheThird Testament, The
1078Seventh SonsFour AM At Frank's
1078Seventh SonsRaga
1079  
1080Velebny, KarelSHQ
1081(Various Artists)Evening At Home With ESP, An
1082Sondheim, AlanT'Other Little Tune
1083Free Music QuintetFree Music 1 & 2
1084  
1085Killen, LouSea Chanteys
1085Killen, LouFolk Songs
1086  
1087  
1088  
1089Burns, RandyEvening Of The Magician
1090  
1091Silva, AlanSkillfulness
1092Askew, EdAsk The Unicorn
1093  
1094  
1095LevittsWe Are The Levitts
1096  
1097Kelley, ToddFolksinger
1098MIJYodeling Astrologer
1099Erica [Pomerance]You Used To Think
1099Erica [Pomerance]Surreal
1111(Various Artists)Boots 'n Roots
2000OctopusRock-New Music Fusion
2001CromagnonElliot/Grasmere Connecticut Tribe
2001CromagnonCave Rock
2001CromagnonOrgasm
2002County, JayneGoddess Of Wet Dreams
2003Manson, CharlesAnd The Family Sing 13 Songs
2004Sweet PiePleasure Pudding: Livid at Fat City
2004Sweet PieHonky Tonk Jive
2005Titus, BarryDo Wappa Do
2006Emerson's Old Timey Custard-Suckin' Band Emerson's Old Timey Custard-Suckin' Band
2007Burns, RandySongs For An Uncertain Lady
2008Tobias, JoelGod Is Watching America
2009Titus, Barry42nd Street
2010Woodstock WorkbandArmed And Dangerous
2012Woodstock BandSword In The Hand
2013Psychotic FrogsLive At Max's Kansas City
2013Lalumia, Jimi & PsychoticLive At Max's Kansas City 1981
2015Moore, DonIn The Groove
2016Moore, DonParty Goin' On In Woodstock
2017Godz, TheGodzundheit
2018Fugs, TheFugs 4, Rounders Score
2020Visible, LesToo Old To Rock And Roll
2021Visible, LesJews From Outer Space
2022(Various Artists)ESP-disk Guide To Funky
2044(Various Artists)Woodstock: Moods And Moments
2051(Various Artists)ESP Sampler [promotional only]
3000Parker, CharlieLive Performances
3001Parker, CharlieBroadcast Performances, Vol. 2
3002Holiday, BillieBroadcast Performances, Vol. 1
3003Holiday, BillieBroadcast Performances, Vol. 2
3004Snell, TonyMedieval & Latter Day Lays
3005Holiday, BillieRadio & TV Broadcasts (1953-1956)
3006Holiday, BillieBroadcast Performances, Vol. 4
3007Revolutionary Ensemble Vietnam 1 & 2 (at the Peace Church)
3008McCarthy, Jim [original]Alien
3008Godz, The [reissue]Alien
3009Tiger TigerSun Country
3009Captain Matchbox-WowSmoke Dreams
3011Black, MarcBig Dong Dharma
3012Kemp, RolfDaydreamer
3013Lowe, FrankBlack Beings
3014Stampfel, Peter & Luke FaustWendigo Dwain Story
3015NadolskiNew Music From Poland 1 [NEVER ISSUED]
3016Niemen EnigmaticNew Music From Poland 2
3017Young, LesterNewly Discovered Performances 1
3018Sea EnsembleWe Move Together
3019Thornton, Fradkin & Unger & The Big BandPass On This Side
3019Godz, TheGodz Bless California
3020Horwitz, BillLies, Lies, Lies
3021Powell, BudWinter Broadcasts 1953
3022Powell, BudSpring Broadcasts 1953
3023Powell, BudSummer Broadcasts 1953
3023[See Note]New Music From Japan
3024Powell, BudAutumn Broadcasts 1953
3025Bruhin, AntonNew Music From Switzerland
3026Boykins, RonnieWill Come, Is Now, The
3028Jackson, Michael GregoryClarity
3029Sorgen, Harvey

Windbiel, Bob

S. Rust
Outlet
3030Ayler, AlbertProphecy
3031Ayler, AlbertLive At Slug's Saloon 1
3032Ayler, AlbertLive At Slug's Saloon 2
3033Sun RaConcert For The Comet Kohoutek

More commonly known as ESP. Founded by lawyer Bernard Stollman in 1964. The two mottoes on the back of each album give an idea of the label’s focus: “The artists alone decide what you will hear on their ESP-disk.” and “You never heard such sounds in your life.” The label’s original incarnation lasted until 1976. The last original release was Ronnie Boykins: The Will Come, Is Now (3026).

1002: Several covers: one is the black-on-white, which has been used for the Get Back vinyl reissue, the other was inverted white-on-black. There is also a copy that has red graphics on a white jacket and 200 were pressed with black ink (possible silk screened) on orange jacket.

“The first (or pre-release) is orange with red (burgundy) silk screened, orange base is painted on white cardboard cover with booklet poem by Paul Haines. The first 200 copies were numbered but unknown how many copies were pressed. There’s even two label variations: One has handwritten characters printed and the other is normal (???) red with black typing.” – Katsuhiro Imai

“Actually there are three cover versions, the first one being rose on white and was in mono without the Library of Congress info on the bottom of the front cover. The back cover was actually hand-written (!) and the first 100 copies came with an 12 page brochure containing several more drawings by Howard Bernstein (who also did the front-cover drawing) and Paul Haines’s 11-page piece, AYLER-PEACOCK-MURRAY-YOU AND THE NIGHT. I have this info directly from Mr. Haines.” – Gregor Kessler

1003: Two covers: the original pressing of this record had a silk-screened sleeve. The title Pharoah’s First applies to the white cover with a photograph of Sanders.

1014: Two covers: both are called The Heliocentric Worlds Of Sun Ra, Vol 1. The first version had a glued on (Folkways-style, like many early ESP titles) cover, showing Sun Ra’s primitive white-on-black drawing. The second version has a completely different lilac-on-yellow sleeve and has a smaller version of above drawing by Sun Ra on the back. This is the cover used for the Base and Get Back reissues.

1018: Two covers: Initial copies with blue textured sleeve, later pressings with black and white sleeve. Both have alternate takes of ‘Supergirl’, ‘Swineburne Stomp’ and ‘Boobs a Lot’, also ‘available’ in another sleeve (commonly referred to as ‘psychedelic wizard’-sleeve).

1035: Some copies on gold vinyl and others on black but with an insert.

1037: Two covers: different b/w sleeves exist.

1038: first press issued with ‘For Adult Minds Only’ sticker on front cover, poster, booklet and loose stickers.

1045: Referred to as “Sun Ra #4” in some catalogs.

1051: One version in a blue cover with the upper right corner saying 99c, and a version with the same sleeve but on dark grey without 99c-sign. Also a version that appears to be more of a black than a dark grey, and also looks to have a hand written “99cents” on the cover. Another version is like the blue copy only it is black with a red image on the cover, and it says “99cents Stereo.”

1052: Record does not show a title. Listed in 1970 ESP catalog as “West Coast New Music”

1054: Many, many different cover version exist, all showing the Bosh design, but sometimes with border, sometimes with band and album name put inside the design sometimes not. I think all pressings initially came with the poster.

1069: Label says ORO-1 and the record does not show a title.

1073: Never issued by ESP but later came out on tape only as Homeboy Music 2.

1078: Album initially titled 4 AM At Frank’s.

1098: “I owned a copy of this album in the early ’70s, although my copy was called “Color By the Numbers.” The cover was a black and white drawing of Jim ?Holmberg (or whatever his name is — I found it on a site somewhere), broken up into different “color-by-number” sections. All of the sections were labeled “0” (that’s “zero”), and the reverse was the Waite Tarot Card “The Fool” – card No. 0, of course. Great album of 12-string folky stuff.” – Paul L. Madarasz

 

2001: Caverock was ZYX title for the CD reissue. The planned title was Orgasm and Get Back used this for the recent reissue. Apparently, early copies came in a full color sleeve, while later ones were black and white.

3008: On original copy “The Godz” are not mentioned anywhere. It is credited to: Jim McCarthy, ALIEN, ESP-3008. The cover is a silhouette picture of him, and not the picture later used for the reissue titled “The Godz, Alien”.

3009: Licensed from Image Records in Australia.

While 3016, 3017, 3023 [Japan], 3025 were listed in catalogs, it seems they were never issued.

3019: Thornton, Fradkin & Unger & The Big Band is the artist credited on Pass On This Side (ESP-63019). ZYX re-issued it as Godz Bless California in 1993. Versions exist numbered ESP-63019.

3028 is a reissue of Bija Records MJ1000.

3031: Only released on BASE.

ESP-OBY1/2: this was promo-only (compiled on High All the Time Vol.2 LP)

“I recently found a strange ESP LP: It did not have a cover, nor did it have a label that showed anything else but the three letters ESP. The run out groove on one side says ESP 1010 and really has all of Ayler’s Bells on it. The other side however says ESP STEREO 99 and does NOT have any music by ERICA on it, BUT eight different promo-jingles for the ESP-Sampler (1051), I guess it was used for radio ads, even though it is hard to imagine that any halfway-established station would play any of these weird and often truly funny (in a very warped way – just like the music) little dialogues.” – Gregor Kessler

ESP Bud-1: Volume 1 of 6 Volumes. I assume this is the Winter Broadcasts 1953 (february,7th and 14th) This has a very nice Dark Purple Vinyl.

 

Confirmation needed on a number of items, especially titles. Those who own these albums are encouraged to contribute. Bold indicates an album that has been confirmed by an owner.

The following ESP-disk 45 rpm singles were issued:

Billie 1 Holiday, Billie Tenderly
ESP-ODY 1/2 Odyssey California
Jethro
ESP-ORO 2 All That The Name Implies Black Tuesday
So Am I
ESP-ORO 3 All That The Name Implies August Pine
Liar
4501 Shelton, Gilbert If I Was a Hell's Angel
Southern Stock Car Man
4503 Godz, The Lay in the Sun
I Want a Word with You
4506 Coleman, Ornette/
Ayler, Albert
Sadness
Holy Family
4507 Fugs, The Frenzy
I Want to Know
4508 Fugs, The Kill for Peace
Morning Morning
4521 Bley, Paul Ida Lupino
Cartoon
4547/48 Godz, The Whiffenpoof Song
Travelin' Salesman
4554/55 Pearls Before Swine Drop Out
Morning Song
4561 Moore, Jerry Ballad Of Birmingham
Winds Of Change
4575 Pearls Before Swine Images Of April
There Was A Man
4576 Pearls Before Swine I Saw The World
Images Of April
45302 Horwitz, Bill New American Guilt Trip
If I Had A Friend Like Rosemary Woods
4563019 Thornton, Fradkin & Unger God Bless California
Sometimes
? Poindexter, Pony "Pancho: The Game Is Love"
? Durso, Bill "Birds"

 

Filed Under: Label Listing

Copyright © 2023 · Michael Fitzgerald