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Track Listing:

*Available on CD for the first time
**Previously unreleased

I always love recalling the first time I got introduced to the legendary music of UFO. It was the 17th of March 2007, in the Indian city of Bangalore. I was there for my first ever Iron Maiden show, and I was instantly hooked to the intro tape they played just before they hit the stage. I could make out the song to be "Doctor Doctor", but didn't know whose song it was. I found out the next day that it was a song by this English band called UFO. I looked them up and dug into their catalog, opening my ears to their classic albums and becoming a fan in the process. It was a memorable moment for me as I got to interview drummer Andy Parker a couple of years back before they took the stage at the Key Club, and here I am today feeling equally great as I hold in my hand their upcoming release, "The Chrysalis Years (1973-1979)" 5-CD set which chronicles the band's most glorious years on the Chrysalis label.

This comprehensive collection features as many as 81 tracks which include the six studio albums UFO recorded under the Chrysalis label in the 1970s, namely "Phenomenon", "Force It", "No Heavy Petting", "Lights Out", "Obsession" and "Strangers In The Night". Besides, the collection has rare singles, remixes, and songs from BBC radio sessions. Some of these are available on CD for the very first time, and to top it off, there is a previously unreleased 45-minute recording from UFO's show at the Electric Ballroom in Atlanta GA on their first ever U.S. tour in November 1974. Aside from all of this wonderful music, the booklet included in the set consists of a detailed interview with vocalist Phil Mogg, done as recently as this year, interspersed with classic band photos. In essence, it's the most definitive representation of what UFO stood for in the 70s.

I opened the triple-decker jewel box and inserted disc 1 into my computer to embark on my UFO journey. It starts with the 1973 single "Give Her The Gun", and its B-side "Sweet Little Thing", after which it gets into the Phenomenon album, followed by its bonus track and BBC radio versions. The bonus track is a single edit of Doctor Doctor, and because it's appearing on CD format for the first time, it was the first time I had heard it as well. It was interesting to note the differences from the original version as the single edit doesn't have the intro and goes straight into the song. It's much shorter, and sounds perfect for radio airplay back in the day.

Disc 2 is the unreleased concert recording I was talking about, followed by Side 1 of Force It. The live recording captures the old-school feel of that year but does so in a very pristine manner, and presents the band at the absolute peak of their live performance. The collective wizardry of Mogg, Schenker, Way and Parker is evident here, and this 8-song set list features as many as five songs from the Phenomenon album, which was the band's latest album at this point. While the entire 45-minute performance is beyond amazing, the highlights for me are certainly Doctor Doctor, Space Child and Rock Bottom. I'm simply awe-struck as I imagine how impressive the band must have sounded to the audience fortunate enough to be at that show, and how great this recording sounds in the present day. This is definitely a rare gem and reason enough for UFO fans to purchase this 5-CD set.

I also love the manner in which they've spread some of the albums across two discs as Side 1 and Side 2, giving the listener the 'vinyl feel' despite it being on CD format. Disc 3 continues with Side 2 of Force It, No Heavy Petting in entirety and Side 1 of Lights Out, and Discs 4 and 5 pan out similarly in chronological order. The most interesting bits of Disc 4 are the single remix versions of "Try Me" and "Only You Can Rock Me", as you can once again notice how they've trimmed the songs significantly while making sure that they don't lose any of their musical qualities. Disc 5 is all about the "Strangers In The Night" live album recorded on what turned out to be Michael Schenker's farewell tour with the band. It closes out with the 1979 live single version of Doctor Doctor, along with its live B-side "On With The Action", bringing the 5-CD set to an apt ending.

I feel it's worth pointing out the exact versions of the studio albums. Phenomenon, Force It and No Heavy Petting are the 2007 remastered versions. Lights Out and Strangers In The Night are 2008 versions, while Obsession is the 1999 remaster. And for all you digital aficinonados out there, these 81 tracks are also available in the form of a digital collection.

I enjoyed myself thoroughly during this UFO marathon, and I am more than certain that every UFO fan would feel the same. Even if you're not a UFO fan and happen to be one of those people who have never heard of the band, this is the perfect starting point for you as you will get to discover the band's golden years, and the entirety of Michael Schenker's cherished tenure with the band. For the old timers, there is plenty of unreleased material here to get a hold of. All in all, an excellent package for all fans old and new.

This is a package worthy enough to do justice to the band's glory days. A must-have for UFO collectors, and a worthwhile purchase for every fan.

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