Great Adventure: The Jet Years 1978-1983 (Clamshell Box, 6 CDs)

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Five albums from the early days of Magnum - four studio recordings and the live 'Marauder' album. Covering releases from 1978-1983 plundering their archives with plenty of rarities and B-sides, demos and live tracks. Magnum originally formed in Birmingham in 1972 around guitarist and songwriter Tony Clarkin and singer Bob Catley. Although a one-off single for CBS in 1975 failed to bring their singular brand of progressive but highly melodic hard rock to the masses, they eventually found a home for their debut - 'Kingdom Of Madness' (CD1) - on Jet Records in 1978, joining ELO, and later Ozzy Osbourne. The album had actually been recorded two years earlier, but the band were heavy enough to take advantage of the growth in popularity of hard rock and heavy metal in the late 1970s. 'Magnum II' (CD3) followed in 1979, promoted by the singles 'Changes' and 'Foolish Heart'. Produced by Ten Years After's Leo Lyons, who had previously produced UFO's first three albums for Chrysalis. Regular touring with the likes of Judas Priest and Blue Öyster Cult built up a loyal following across the UK. When their second album didn't quite match the success of their debut, Jet recorded their December 1979 show at London's legendary Marquee Club for release as a live album. 'Marauder' (CD4) made a suitable stop-gap until Magnum's third studio record, and is expanded here with a further nine live bonus tracks. Although recorded in 1980, 'Chase The Dragon' (CD5) didn't get released until 1982. An early career peak, as well as one of the band's formative masterpieces, the wait was well worth it, as it entered the UK Top 20, peaking at a creditable No. 17. 'Eleventh Hour' (CD6), their fourth and final studio album for Jet, was released in 1983. Tellingly it was their first not to feature any singles. After leaving Jet, Magnum went from strength to strength, releasing their best seller, 'On A Storyteller's Night', in 1985, before signing a major label deal with Polydor Records.