This very early first pressing plays to an incredible standard and having played it in full I can confirm there is only minimal interference during one brief section on S2.  Aside from that the clarity, depth and power of the audio is high end indeed.  And if you want a S1 that is as close to perfect as is possible then look no further!  With only a couple of seconds of minor static the sonic quality is exceptional and it has the cleanest version of 'White Queen' that I have ever heard.  The vinyl is visually very impressive and in my opinion has hardly been played based on audio quality, only one tiny spindle trace on each label and that there is still a little vinyl flecking around the S1 label.

The gatefold is also in incredible condition with no obvious shelf wear and the lyric inner has only a little wear.

This is a very early first pressing as it has the '1974 Trident Audio...' at the top of the labels and Side White and Side Black are running sideways on the labels below the spindle hole.

EMA 767 // YAX 4̶7̶3̶6̶ 4735-4U / YAX 4̶7̶3̶5̶ 4736-4U // AM 3 / AxH 3

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 Ex+ for a couple of seconds)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint / T4 VG+ in one brief section)

The gatefold is Near Mint

The lyric inner is Ex-

The labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in great condition and still holds a lovely glossy sheen with just one very small fine hairline scratch on S2.  Aside from that it is so clean with only a small number of faint sleeve removal hairlines.  The run out grooves are very clean and the EMI labels are more or less perfect with only one small faint spindle trace on each side.

Play grading

The percussive intro on 'Procession' plays with incredible clarity which is very much a rarity and the next section is just as impressive.  It continues to play with sublime quality with not so much as a dust tick let alone anything more.  I have not heard many Mint versions of this instrumental but we certainly have one here!

The segue into 'Father To Son' has just a modicum of light static but as soon as Brian enters the scene the playback is stunning.  The opening vocal section is flawless and the next section is the same really with only one very quiet tick.  The classic 'heavy' instrumental passage plays with breath-taking quality, the audio is so deep and strong and has zero distortion.  The quiet A word in your ear vocal plays beautifully as does the next vocal and the remainder plays to the same high end standard.  The first couple of seconds are Ex+ but the rest has to grade as Mint- at the very least.

The segue intro 'White Queen' is perfect as is the first brief acoustic passage.  This opening section so often plays with a fair amount of static but this has to be the cleanest I have heard in many a year.  During Freddie opening vocal I heard only one minor static tick and there is no underlying static at all, the clarity is amazing!  This is kept up during the first 'verse' and the first chorus again has no intrusion.  It continues to play with outstanding clarity and I honestly cannot believe what I am listening to, remember this is a genuine first press!  The mid instrumental is 'as new' and the high octane section that follows including the vocal is equal to that.  The final quiet vocal has no background and I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint such is the clarity and definition of the audio.  In actual fact I do not think I have a version as strong as this, the definitive version you could say.  Wow!

'Some Day One Day' more than keeps up this fine standard and plays with sublime precision throughout.  There is no background even during the brief silences and the sonic quality is as strong as when first released.  No ticks, clicks, pops or static is is Mint in every way and that includes the long fade out also.

The percussive intro on 'The Loser In The End' plays to perfection and Roger's opening vocal is just as strong.  From then on it plays so clearly and you know the door slamming after the goodbye Ma line?  Never heard it shut so loud!  Every vocal and instrumental section is so clean and precise and again Mint is the only grade I can give.  The power of the audio is so sharply defined also and there is no distortion on the top end.  I cannot remember when I last heard a version as strong as this.  One stunning side of music! 

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The build up intro on 'Ogre Battle' plays so clearly with only a couple of mega light dust ticks at the start and as the volume increases the audio is superb!  It is so powerful and deep and the opening vocal section is faultless.  It continues in the same way and indeed you could not wish to find a better version.  This should have been on Queen Rocks if you ask me!  The high energy mid instrumental is 'as new' and that applies to the entire track - the clarity and depth of the audio is equal to that on S1 and the end vocal passage more than keeps up the good work.  I believe Mint is again a fair assessment.

'The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke' once more shows how little this vinyl has been played and plays with genuine quality from start to finish.  An 'eccentric' progressive number it grades as Mint

'Nevermore' has only the lightest of static at the beginning and the first verse has only a couple of minor static sounds.  The second verse plays beautifully with no intrusion and overall Near Mint is about right.

The piano intro on 'The March Of The Black Queen' plays with great clarity, there is barely any static, and the first vocal is perfect.  The following instrumental is the same and the next vocal section has no background whatsoever, the clarity is stunning.  The high octane section is so strong without any distortion and the quiet A voice from behind me section plays with wonderful clarity and zero intrusion.  The following vocal is 'as new' and whilst there are some light ticks during the quieter instrumental just before the final section they do not really intrude on the quality of the audio.  The remainder of this prog classic cannot be faulted so overall I would grade it as Mint- for the vast majority and as VG+ for that one brief section.

'Funny How Love Is' plays with great clarity and warmth and there is no interference.  A 'busy' track and yet the sonic quality is as strong and clear as it ever was.  Mint in every way.

'Seven Seas Of Rhye' ends this remarkable album with impeccable clarity from the get go.  The intro is perfect and Freddie's opening vocal is equal to that.  It proceeds in the same way - this is a track that often has 'muddy' type sound quality but that is not the case here.  The playback is crystal clear and the 'seaside singalong' plays with stunning precision also!  A Mint- finish in my opinion.

In summary this first pressing plays to a standard you rarely find today.  Admittedly there are a small number of light ticks during 'March...' but as I said they are not loud and the rest of the side plays with real quality.  As for S1 well I do not think I have heard better.  The clarity and definition and power of the audio is second to none, it is a genuine highlight.  In all my years I have never heard a better version of 'White Queen'!  A high end album in so many ways.

The Gatefold & Lyric Inner

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