QUEEN a day at the races EMS-81775

Queen’s Baroque Masterpiece Revisited: ‘A Day At The Races’ (EMS-81775)

Today’s entry spotlights a scarce and highly desirable variation of Queen’s fifth studio album. We are examining the Japanese Promo Sample reissue of A Day At The Races, released on the EMI label with the catalog number EMS-81775. While the original 1976 pressing is a staple in many collections, this specific reissue—manufactured by Toshiba EMI—is considered very hard to find, particularly in this promotional format.

A Self-Produced Triumph

Released originally in late 1976 as a companion piece to the massive A Night At The Opera, this album marks a significant milestone as the first album completely self-produced by the band. The tracklist is a testament to their eclectic genius, ranging from the hard-rocking opener “Tie Your Mother Down,” driven by Brian May’s iconic riff, to the gospel-infused grandeur of Freddie Mercury’s “Somebody To Love.” The production is dense and multi-layered, showcasing the band’s mastery of the studio. For Japanese fans, the album holds a special significance due to the closing track, “Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together).” This song features two choruses sung entirely in Japanese, a heartfelt tribute from Brian May to the country that first embraced Queen as superstars.

The Elusive Toshiba Reissue

What makes this specific copy noteworthy is its status as a reissue within the EMS catalog series. Unlike the ubiquitous initial pressings, these later runs were produced in smaller quantities, making them significantly more difficult to source today. As a Promo Sample, this copy is even rarer. It is distinguished by a “Sample” sticker affixed to the back cover, indicating it was a non-retail copy distributed to industry insiders or radio stations. These promotional copies are often sought after by audiophiles who believe the early stampers used for promos yield a fresher, more dynamic sound.

Immaculate Presentation

Manufactured by Toshiba EMI Ltd., the pressing quality is characteristic of the high standards held by Japanese record plants, ensuring quiet surfaces that allow the album’s complex vocal harmonies to shine. The package is complete with the original Obi strip and a lyric insert, preserving the full aesthetic experience. For the dedicated Queen collector, this EMS-81775 promo represents a unique opportunity to own a lesser-seen variant of a classic album, celebrating the deep and enduring bond between the band and their Japanese audience.