In 1993, I was in JC, and Jurassic Park the movie was released and hit box office records for its visual effects. For me, the movie soundtrack left a deep impression. One day while browsing the shelves of my neighbourhood CD shop (I still remember the shopkeeper would display all the CDs on the walls instead of racks, I saw the original soundtrack in a “Picture Disc” limited edition. The rear jewel case was clear without printed inserts so that the picture disc can be seen through. So I bought it.
More than 30 years later, I finally bought the vinyl equivalent.
Despite the vinyl revival, the Jurassic Park soundtrack was never repressed again after 2018. I patiently checked the market for a reasonable-priced copy, even hoped for a 30th anniversary release in 2023. It never happened. As always, patience pays off. This month, I came across a new Discogs listing, I reached out to him and we agreed on a price that – despite a 20 Euro discount – makes this buy the most expensive pre-owned vinyl I have bought so far. I paid more than my promo-press edition Mariya Takeuchi Variety or Tatsuro Yamashita FOR YOU records.
It was one of the purchase decisions that went through years of rationalisation until the sensible side of me gave in. The moment the needle landed on the starting groove, it sounded like I’m in an airplane – a constant brown noise that evokes a sense of regret of buying this vinyl. But once the audio starts, it brought a sense of exhilaration. I sat through the listening session and was generally pleased with the pressing quality. It delivers rather great dynamics faithful to the CD, no compression to the mastering, a few clicks. Once the audio plays, the groove floor noise was no longer discernible.
I will continue to seek other variants to this soundtrack. But for now, this picture vinyl will be my prized collection.