Dire Straits - Debut Album Vinyl

Artist: Dire Straits

Title: Dire Straits

Label: Vertigo

Catalogue Number: 9102 021

Country: United Kingdom

Original Release Year: 1978

Pressing Year: 1978 UK Early Pressing

Format: Vinyl LP

Speed: 33⅓ RPM

Description

Dire Straits is the outstanding self-titled debut album from Dire Straits and the record that introduced Mark Knopfler's unmistakable guitar style to the world. Released in 1978, the album blends rock, blues and laid-back roots influences with intelligent songwriting and beautifully understated musicianship.

Featuring the timeless classic Sultans Of Swing, alongside favourites including Down To The Waterline, Water Of Love, Six Blade Knife, Wild West End and Lions, the album remains one of the finest debut records of the 1970s and established Dire Straits as a major international band.

Pressing Notes

Early 1978 UK pressing on Vertigo Records, catalogue number 9102 021. This copy features the 9102021 // 6E 420 / 9102021 2 // 7E 420 matrix combination.

The 420 matrix suffix is associated with UK Phonogram manufacture, while the 6E / 7E cuts identify this as an early UK production pressing rather than the earliest known first-cut matrix variation.

Issued during the album's original release era, early Vertigo copies are highly regarded for their warm, detailed analogue sound and remain sought after by Dire Straits and classic rock collectors.

Track Listing

Side One

Down To The Waterline
Water Of Love
Setting Me Up
Six Blade Knife
Southbound Again

Side Two

Sultans Of Swing
In The Gallery
Wild West End
Lions
Matrix / Runout

Side One: 9102021 // 6E 420

Side Two: 9102021 2 // 7E 420

Additional Information
Early 1978 UK pressing
Vertigo Records
Catalogue number 9102 021
6E / 7E matrix cuts
420 UK pressing identifiers
33⅓ RPM LP
Produced by Muff Winwood
Features Sultans Of Swing
Includes Down To The Waterline, Water Of Love, Six Blade Knife, Wild West End and Lions
Classic Dire Straits debut album
Highly collectible early UK analogue pressing
Condition

Sleeve: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Record: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Inner Sleeve: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Rockabuy Records Grading Guide

Near Mint (NM)

Virtually flawless condition. Played only a handful of times with no visible marks or signs of wear.

Excellent (EX)

Lightly played and exceptionally well cared for. May show only minimal signs of handling with no significant marks affecting playback.

Very Good Plus (VG+)

A well-preserved copy with only light signs of use. The sleeve remains clean and structurally sound, while the vinyl shows minimal surface marks that do not significantly affect playback.

Very Good (VG)

Noticeable signs of use with light surface marks and handling wear, though the record plays well throughout without major faults.

Good (G)

Visible wear with more pronounced marks. Playback remains enjoyable with some background noise.

Poor / Fair (P/F)

Heavy wear and significant scratches affecting playback quality.

Shipping

All records are visually inspected and conservatively graded for both sleeve and vinyl condition. Records are securely packaged in professional record mailers with protective stiffeners and dispatched via a fully tracked delivery service to ensure safe arrival.