UFO are giving one of their finest albums the treatment it deserves. ‘The Wild, The Willing and The Innocent’, the band’s landmark 1981 studio record, is back in a fully expanded deluxe edition via Chrysalis Records, available on 3LP tri-fold sleeve 180gm vinyl and 2CD Digipak formats, with new remastering from the original tape transfers.
The original album captured UFO at a genuine creative peak, blending soaring melodies and powerful performances anchored by Phil Mogg’s unmistakable voice. It also marked the debut of keyboardist and guitarist Neil Carter, who stepped in for Paul Raymond and immediately made his presence felt across the record.
Mogg remembers Carter’s arrival with characteristic warmth. “Neil had a box of tricks. Getting the backing vocals was great, though I still don’t think he’s forgiven me for making him play saxophone. He was a great add to the band. Plus, he was a nice bloke.”
Drummer Andy Parker is equally effusive. “Neil was just an incredible musician. He brought another energy into the band.” That energy comes through clearly across the album’s 8 tracks, and the new remaster brings every detail into sharper focus than ever before.
The centrepiece of this deluxe edition is a brand-new mix of a previously unreleased live recording, captured at the Hammersmith Odeon on January 29th, 1981, mixed by Brian Kehew. It’s an electrifying document of UFO in full flight, running through 11 tracks including “Doctor Doctor,” “Lights Out,” and “Rock Bottom.”
The package also includes original 7″ edits of singles “Couldn’t Get It Right” and “Lonely Heart,” plus an alternative mix of album standout “It’s Killing Me.” Newly written liner notes by Michael Hann, featuring fresh interviews with Mogg and Parker and previously unseen photographs from the era, round out what is an essential collector’s item.
Hann puts it plainly in his liner notes: “The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent is, hands down, the best UFO studio album: it’s melodic, it’s experimental, it’s memorable, and it rocks.”
Hard to argue with that.
CD1 – The Wild, The Willing & The Innocent (2026 Remaster):
Chains Chains
Long Gone
The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent
It’s Killing Me
Makin’ Moves
Lonely Heart
Couldn’t Get It Right
Profession Of Violence
Couldn’t Get It Right (7″ Edit)
Lonely Heart (7″ Edit)
It’s Killing Me (Alt. Mix)
CD2 – Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, January 29th, 1981 (Newly Mixed):
Long Gone
Chains Chains
Lonely Heart
Cherry
Mystery Train
Only You Can Rock Me
Too Hot To Handle
Lights Out
Rock Bottom
Doctor Doctor
Shoot Shoot