UFO no place to run CDL1239

Post-Schenker Rebirth: UFO’s ‘No Place To Run’ (CDL 1239)

Today’s entry highlights a pivotal moment in the history of British hard rock. We are looking at the 1980 UK original pressing of No Place To Run by UFO, released on Chrysalis with the catalog number CDL 1239.

A New Chapter

Released in January 1980, this album marked the beginning of a new era for the band. It was the first studio album recorded following the departure of guitar phenomenon Michael Schenker. Stepping into the spotlight was Paul “Tonka” Chapman, who helped steer the band toward a grittier, more straight-ahead rock sound. To ensure the transition was smooth, the band enlisted none other than legendary Beatles producer George Martin, recording at his famous AIR Studios in London and Montserrat.

The Music

The album opens with the instrumental intro Alpha Centauri before kicking into the single Lettin’ Go, a track that proved Chapman was more than capable of filling the void. The album features strong melodic rockers like Young Blood and Gone In The Night, as well as a unique, hard-rocking cover of the Elvis Presley classic Mystery Train. George Martin’s production gives the album a polished, crisp sound that distinguishes it from their earlier, rawer recordings.

Collector’s Details

This specific UK pressing contains several details that collectors look for when hunting for original copies.

Cover Variation:
A key feature of this specific copy is the Green Title text on the front cover. There are variations of this sleeve where the band name and title appear in orange/yellow, making the green version a specific point of interest for completists.

Artwork:
The cover features the distinct surrealist photography of the design group Hipgnosis, depicting a man fueling a car in a desolate landscape, fitting the “No Place To Run” theme.

Matrix:
The runout grooves provide insight into the manufacturing process. The matrix data includes the stamped catalog number and the hand-etched signature “mahone”. This indicates that the lacquer was cut by engineer Terry O’Mahoney at PRT Studios. The pressing itself was handled by PRS Ltd.