Release History
The album was first released in Japan in 1978. It was released in the US on 30 May 1979 by A&M Records on the Horizon label with a new mix by Al Schmitt, new cover art and a slightly different track listing. This "US version" was subsequently released in Japan on 25 July 1979 by Alfa. Promotional A&M copies were pressed on yellow vinyl. A&M Records also released the album across Europe and Canada that same year.
"Firecracker" was released as a single under the name "Computer Game". As such, on early US pressings of the album, "Computer Game 'Theme from The Circus'" and "Firecracker" were combined as one track, while the firecracker sound effect at the end of the track was indexed by itself as "Firecracker". This was corrected on later pressings. US pressings also featured a more American-friendly mixing (highlighting a punchier equalization and heavy use of reverb). Several of the segues on the second side of the album were edited differently, while "Bridge over Troubled Music" was given an additional electric piano solo over top of the introductory percussion.
| Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 25 November 1978 | Alfa Records | 12" LP; cassette | LP: ALR-6012; cassette: ALC-1511 |
| Europe | 1979 | A&M Records | LP | AMLH 68506, PSP 736 |
| North America | 30 May 1979 | A&M Records, Horizon Records & Tapes | 12" LP | SP-736, AMLH 68506 |
| Japan | 25 July 1979 | Alfa Records | 12" LP; cassette (US version) | LP: ALR-6020; cassette: ALC-1533 |
Read more about this topic: Yellow Magic Orchestra (album)
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