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The latest in the long-running series of Jethro Tull hardcover book-style sets features not one, but two albums – including an Ian Anderson solo set.  Under Wraps: The Unwrapped Edition, due May 15 from Chrysalis, explores both Tull’s Under Wraps (1984) and Anderson’s debut as a solo artist, Walk Into Light (1983), via the kind of comprehensive presentation that fans of the series have learned to expect.

The impetus for bringing the albums together is their shared sound.  Both albums deviated from the folk-rooted “classic rock” sound of the ‘70s to embrace a then-contemporary style with drum machines, synthesizers, and electronics.  At the time, even the band members were split on Under Wraps; bassist Dave Pegg once opined that the outtakes from Tull’s previous album – one which pointed towards Under Wraps with its integration of electronics but still featured more traditional instrumentation, too – might have made for a better album, yet guitarist Martin Barre has called it one of his favorite Tull records.  Ian Anderson collaborated with keyboardist Peter-John Vettese to write most of the album, with Barre also sharing some songwriting credits.  Vettese had also been Anderson’s collaborator on Walk Into Light which anticipated the style of Under Wraps.  Anderson handled all of the drum programming on Under Wraps; no live drummer was employed.

This new 5CD/Blu-ray set has been overseen by Ian Anderson and is built around remixes of both albums by Bruce Soord: a remix with the original 1983-1984 drums, and one with newly-recorded “2026 drums.”  Typical for this series, the remixes are bolstered by various odds and ends from the period.  A 1984 BBC Radio 1 concert from London’s Hammersmith Odeon is also included.  The Blu-ray Disc offers stereo and Dolby Atmos remixes of both albums, as well as promotional videos.  A lavish 100-page hardcover book puts everything into perspective.  Soord’s 2026 Drums remix of Walk Into Light will be simultaneously released on vinyl.

“We wanted to do something completely different with Under Wraps,” Anderson reflects as quoted in the press release.  “It was about exploring the technology of the time and seeing how far we could push our sound into new territories. It was an experiment, and not everyone was ready for that kind of change from Jethro Tull.”  The juxtaposition of Anderson’s trademark storytelling with the colder, metallic sound makes the album an outlier, if a fascinating one, in the band’s considerable catalogue.  Walk Into Light had a different set of expectations as an Ian Anderson solo record, leaning into new wave and pop as well as art-rock in its explorations of modern life and loneliness.

You can fully unwrap this deluxe presentation of Under Wraps on May 15 from Chrysalis.  You’ll find pre-order links and the full track listing below.  Note that some of the Amazon links are not yet active but should go live shortly.  (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

Jethro Tull, Under Wraps: The Unwrapped Edition (Chrysalis, 2026) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

CD 1: Under Wraps (2026 Drums – Remixed by Bruce Soord)

1. Lap of Luxury
2. Under Wraps #1
3. European Legacy
4. Later, That Same Evening
5. Saboteur
6. Radio Free Moscow
7. Nobody’s Car
8. Heat
9. Under Wraps #2
10. Paparazzi
11. Apogee

Associated Recordings 1983-1984 (2026 Drums)

12. Astronomy
13. Tundra
14. Automotive Engineering
15. General Crossing
16. Lap Of Luxury (Demo Version) (*)
17. Bring Back The Waltz (*)
18. Her Love Is Strange (*)

CD 2: Under Wraps (Original Drums – Remixed by Bruce Soord)

1. Lap of Luxury
2. Under Wraps #1
3. European Legacy
4. Later, That Same Evening
5. Saboteur
6. Radio Free Moscow
7. Nobody’s Car
8. Heat
9. Under Wraps #2
10. Paparazzi
11. Apogee

Associated Recordings 1983-1984 (Original Drums)

12. Astronomy
13. Tundra
14. Automotive Engineering
15. General Crossing
16. Lap Of Luxury (Demo Version) (*)
17. Bring Back The Waltz (*)
18. Her Love Is Strange (*)
19. Under Wraps Intro Music

Original mixes of Tracks 1-11 released as Chrysalis CDL1 1461 (U.K.), 1984
Original mixes of Tracks 12-15 released on cassette/CD pressings – Chrysalis ZCDL1/CDP32 1461 (U.K.) , 1984

CD 3: Walk Into Light (2026 Drums – Remixed by Bruce Soord)

1. Fly by Night
2. Made in England
3. Walk into Light
4. Trains
5. End Game
6. Black and White Television
7. Toad in the Hole
8. Looking for Eden
9. User Friendly
10. Different Germany

Associated Recordings 1983 (2026 Drums)

11. Raincoat Man (*)
12. In Dark Tunnels (*)
13. Elizabeth In White (*)
14. User Friendly (Version 1) (*)
15. Toad In The Hole (Alt. Vocal) (*)
16. Clean Away (*)

CD 4: Walk Into Light (Original Drums – Remixed by Bruce Soord)

1. Fly by Night
2. Made in England
3. Walk into Light
4. Trains
5. End Game
6. Black and White Television
7. Toad in the Hole
8. Looking for Eden
9. User Friendly
10. Different Germany

Associated Recordings 1983 (Original Drums)

11. Raincoat Man (*)
12. In Dark Tunnels Unreleased (*)
13. Elizabeth In White (*)
14. User Friendly (Version 1) (*)
15. Toad In The Hole (Alt. Vocal) (*)
16. Clean Away (*)

Original mixes of Tracks 1-10 released as Chrysalis CDL 1443 (U.K.), 1983

CD 5: BBC Live at Hammersmith Odeon 1984 [Remastered]

1. Under Wraps Intro
2. Locomotive Breath (Instrumental)
3. Hunting Girl
4. Under Wraps #1
5. Later, That Same Evening
6. Pussy Willow
7. The Clasp
8. Living In The Past
9. Thick As A Brick
10. Aqualung
11. Locomotive Breath
12. Too Old To Rock ‘N’ Roll
13. Different Germany / Thick As A Brick

Concert first released as promotional BBC Transcription Disc CN 4497/S

Blu-ray

Jethro Tull

• Under Wraps (2026 Drums) & Associated Recordings 1983-84 (2026 Drums) Stereo LPCM 96/24 / DTS-HD 5.1 / Dolby Atmos
• Under Wraps (Original Drums) & Associated Recordings 1983-84 (Original Drums) Stereo LPCM 96/24 only

Ian Anderson

• Walk Into Light (2026 Drums) Associated Recordings 1983 (2026 Drums) Stereo LPCM 96/24 / DTS-HD 5.1 / Dolby Atmos
• Walk Into Light (Original Drums) & Associated Recordings 1983 (Original Drums) Stereo LPCM 96/24 only

Videos:

• “Lap of Luxury” Promo Video
• Tour Rehearsal Promo Video