Jethro Tull – Benefit [Stereo] (Rhino High Fidelity Series Jethro Tull: 1968-1972 Box Set Edition)

(AAA) — Lacquers cut from the original analog master tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio.

AAA Cut From The U.K. Analog Master Tapes By Kevin Gray
Pressed On 180-Gram Heavyweight Vinyl At Optimal
Heavyweight Glossy Gatefold Jackets, Housed In Leatherette Slipcase
Features Exclusive Inserts With Commentary By Ian Anderson

Limited & Numbered To 3,000
Available Now, Exclusively At Rhino.com

*Tape box scans are of master tapes as provided by UK vault and were the tapes used in production of these albums

**This set is limited to two per customer

In just five years, Jethro Tull evolved from a club-circuit British blues band into a global stadium headliner, completely reshaping their musical identity with every record. Led by visionary frontman, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Ian Anderson, the journey began with the jazz-tinged blues of 1968’s THIS WAS. The arrival of guitarist Martin Barre for 1969’s STAND UP prompted a shift toward intricate English folk melodies and classical structures—a formula that sent the album straight to #1 in the U.K. By 1970’s BENEFIT, Anderson expanded the band’s sonic textures further with keyboardist John Evan, leaning into darker, heavier rock arrangements that laid the groundwork for their mainstream breakthrough.

That success came in March 1971 with AQUALUNG, a multi-platinum milestone featuring new bassist Jeffrey Hammond. Driven by the enduring rock radio staples “Locomotive Breath” and the title track, the album balanced blistering hard rock with delicate acoustic poetry, solidifying the band as international stars. When critics labeled AQUALUNG a concept album, Anderson subverted the entire genre with its follow-up, 1972’s THICK AS A BRICK. Introducing Barriemore Barlow on drums, the single, continuous 43-minute epic combined symphonic ambition with satirical wit, earning Jethro Tull their very first #1 album in the U.S. It capped an extraordinary five-year run, launching a legendary, Grammy® Award-winning career that still thrives today through more than five decades of global touring, continuous recording, and over 60 million albums sold.

ABOUT THE RHINO HIGH FIDELITY SERIES
Rhino is synonymous with high-quality reissues, setting the standard with award-winning audio releases for the past 45 years. Now we're raising the bar with a new premium vinyl series, Rhino High Fidelity. These high-end, limited-edition vinyl reissues of classic albums represent the pinnacle of sound and packaging.

To ensure consistent sonic excellence, Kevin Gray cuts lacquers for all Rhino High Fidelity releases, and Optimal presses the 180-gram vinyl records. These releases boast high-quality glossy covers and “tip-on” jackets, an old-school aesthetic that evokes the golden age of vinyl.

(Above description from Rhino.com)