Goldmine reviews Deep Purple '=1' and Mungo Jerry 'Electronically Tested'—a full analysis
Visit the Goldmine store — it is a music collector's one-stop shop of vinyl, CDs, box sets, collectibles, collecting supplies, audio equipment, music history books and Goldmine-only exclusives. Click HERE!
.
.
By TONE Scott
The era and the spirit of classic rock music has never died. It is mind blowing how many classic era bands have perpetuated their existence, with regard to making records and touring without ceasing over the decades, as well as, how many classic era bands have put forth efforts to 'make a comeback' in modern times. What is even more amazing, is how positively the fans of these legacy acts react, when new albums are released, classic albums are reissued, or new tours are announced. In modern times, there is a noticeably heightened level of acknowledgment and excitement for any band that might label itself as Classic Rock, Classic Soul, '80s, '90s, and the like. If you take the time to pay attention to the publicity that revolves around social media and search engine news, it is inevitable that you will be made privy to the almost verifiable fact, that legacy recording artists, from the 60's through to the '90s, tour more, put out new records more, and are the subject of more reissued albums than almost any modern day recording artist on the planet. It is a testament to the truth that music never perishes—it lives a life, reimagines, reincarnates and resurrects itself in the most cyclical and inevitable way.
Recently, two very notable and recognizable names from the classic era of music have graced their fandom with new releases. One legend gracing us with a collective of brand new material, and the other icon having one of their classic records represented in all of its classic glory, with a new and modern remaster that shines fresh sonic light on its classic sound. On July 19, 2024, the European powerhouse record label, earMUSIC, launched a mega record into the musical ethers and proved to the world that Deep Purple is just as relevant today as they have been for over 55 years. Just weeks ago, the band released this album—their 23rd full-length studio album titled = 1—to incredibly high acclaim. It is a daring double LP which includes all new, never-before-released material. On the very same day of Deep Purple's release, simultaneously, the brilliant UK record label, 7a Records, would set free into the sonic universe, the 'very first ever' remastered extended version on vinyl, of Mungo Jerry's third studio album, Electronically Tested. I was extremely pleased to receive both albums by these two legendary British music machines, and have prepared for you an expository overview of both, in quintessential top Goldmine fashion.
.
.
Deep Purple =1
(2024, earMusic / EDEL Music Group)
.
The music encompassed in this 23rd full-length studio album, by one of the most revered and accoladed rock bands in the history of ever, will make you think "WOW!" and at the same time spur-on the thought of, "I wouldn't have expected anything less." Deep Purple, literally from the inception of the band until now, has existed as a 'staple' within the realm of classic and modern rock fandom. The band, though in 2024 obviously not comprised of 100-percent the original line-up, still includes original and extremely early members—Ian Paice, Ian Gillan and Roger Glover. The album, anticipated with massive expectation—even before its 2024 summer release—did not fail the media's or the consumer's hopes in any way, shape or form, all thanks to the current DP line-up of Ian Gillan (vocals), Roger Glover (bass), Ian Paice (drums), Simon McBride (guitar) and Don Airey (keyboards). Goldmine has chosen a select few of the album's tracks to expose and review, hoping to give the Deep Purple fandom a broad yet concise overview of this 2024 masterpiece.
.
SONIC PRESENTATION
The album launches into itself with, "Show Me," which immediately smacks you dead in the face, and believe me it hurts in the absolute best way. It resonates as the type of song that translates to: "This band has NEVER skipped a beat." The song is a ball of syncopated energy that beautifully blends the classic Deep Purple with the modern ideology of the band. It was the perfect song chosen to open up representation of the rest that is to come. Immediately subsequently is "A Bit on the Side." This is clearly the modern hard rock / progressive rock expression of the band at its finest, where upon first listen, I truthfully said to myself, "These guys are the epitome of timeless." Point blank: Ian Gillan's vocals are in absolute rare form, and beyond fitting, Simon McBrides guitar is incendiary beyond belief, and the rest of the guys fall in place just as impressive and accordingly. At this point, the album is off to far more than a good start. Moving further down the song sequence, "If I Were You," graces the track-listing with a mid-tempo ballad that doesn't go to water-down the integrity of the band or the album in any way, shape or form. It stays true to the quintessential core Deep Purple pure rock ideology, yet lyrically conveys an emotional response by way Gillan's vocal delivery. It brings balance to the record smack dab in the middle of the album and gracefully leads you on to the second half.
"Pictures of You" (backed by a coinciding music video as well as CD and Vinyl maxi-single releases), is a fantastic arena-piece from the Purple, with appropriately hooky verse melodies, including its chorus which I can imagine being sung along with by an arena full of fans. The songs bass and drum rhythm section (Glover and Paice) is big, punchy and commanding, while Simon McBride's guitar antics create the 'cherry on top' effect for the amazing orchestration that is owned by this song. As well, it is one of Ian Gillan's best vocal performances on the entirety of the album. Another one of the band's album-endemic masterpieces (and also another supported by a fantastical music video) is "Lazy Sod." This is where the band goes on a full-on blues rock / boogie woogie tirade, incorporating the slightly progressive element of Airey's Hammond B-3 organ riffs. If you've never associated Deep Purple with a barroom, road house musical atmosphere, this one will help you paint that picture. Skipping to the end of =1's 13 song track-listing, the album comes to its finale with a modern interpolation of what happens when Blues Rock marries Prog, calling itself, "Bleeding Obvious." The song does not ease you off of the energy that you'd have experienced through the album's journey (as most albums do), but no, it keeps you hyped and charged, doing nothing less than expecting a follow-up album ... which is highly warranted.
Deep Purple '=1' double LP package and CD+DVD deluxe release
.
DVD — Access All Areas — Deep Purple documentary (running time 60:00 min)
The limited edition compact disc version of the release, as well as the deluxe box set, includes a roughly 60 minute-long DVD documentary which encapsulates the making of =1's magnanimous journey. Directed and produced by Dan Gibling and executive produced by Matt Clark, its in-depth exposé of the band's present day journey, from start to finish, is calculated and presented in real life fashion with never before experienced footage, vintage and modern. The documentary is available in four translations; English, German, Spanish and French, and is a brilliant depiction of modern day Deep Purple, no matter what language you are privy to receive it in. (View the trailer below).
.
Deep Purple '=1' deluxe multi-format collectors boxset
.
VISUAL PRESENTATION
The =1 release comes put together in extremely gorgeous earMUSIC fashion, via three separate, but equally dynamic, releases. Firstly, the aforementioned single CD+DVD limited edition release is a solid package that will sound great in your compact disc player, look great on your flat screen television, and remain blatantly recognizable displayed in your CD rack. It comes as an extremely high quality tri-fold, six-panel dual digipak case with ethereal artwork, matching between the cover and the discs themselves. It is highlighted with a very detailed 22-page booklet chock-full of all lyrics to all the songs, extremely detailed album credits and unique photo art. The vinyl album variant comes just as impressive. It is released as a 180 gram double LP gatefold album which includes the same ethereal visuals on the inside, with matching custom printed high gauge inner sleeves. The vinyl records are available in default black vinyl, as well as purple. It, as well, includes a 10-page commemorative full-size book which mirrors the content of the CD booklet. For the music fan who is riddled with collector's disease, available (for a very fair price, I might add) is the wonderfully designed and orchestrated deluxe edition multi-format collectors box set. This collection of 'Purple goodies' that you will own when you indulge, initially includes an exact copy of both the CD+DVD version and the dual LP variant (mentioned above). Added to these is another brilliantly thought-up addition to the offered formats; an exclusive three-LP 10-inch vinyl album, featuring live recordings from Deep Purple's 2022 Tour CD ... that is a treat if there ever was one. Furthermore, the buyer receives a commemorative t-shirt (XL in size), two exclusive guitar picks, an exclusive art print and a Deep Purple lanyard. Any and all of the choices that are available to get '=1' in to your hands will feed your Deep Purple needs, but if you have the means, the box set is definitely the way to go. ?
.
.
.
Mungo Jerry Electronically Tested remastered deluxe edition
(2024, 7a Records)
.
One of the most underrated and underappreciated classic rock era masterpieces (as many will agree), is the 1971, third studio LP, by the British folky-blues rock/pop rock (and Skiffle) ensemble, Mungo Jerry, appropriately titled, Electronically Tested. The album has been proven through the tests of musical time to invoke some of the most memorable and nostalgic emotions for those who not only experienced first hand in its time (namely the Baby boomer and Gen X generations), but have also intrigued further generations whose grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts have smartly shared the magic of the classic-era of music with open minded Millennial and Gen Z factions. The band, though dearly revered in North America, is sometimes referred to by the general music-loving masses, as a 'one hit wonder'. However, that is far from the case in the Americas, as well as abroad, as the band, unbeknownst by some, was a massive success in the UK and western EU countries, throughout the '70s and early '80s.
It is true, however, that their early '70s masterpiece (this featured album) was their most revered and biggest selling success story, then, and now. The album contains one of the most iconic singles to ever grace the 1970's musical fabric, as well as resonate throughout the AM and FM signals of classic rock radio over the past 50 years. "In the Summer Time"—though its first full-length album debut was on Electronically Tested—was released as a 45rpm 7-inch single in the UK almost two years previously on the British, Dawn Records label (Pye Records throughout mainland Europe and Janus Records in the U.S.). In a British Folk/Skiffle type-of-way, it earned the band, fronted by Ray Dorset, featured performances on the U.K.'s Top of the Pops, as well as early touring success, and international notoriety. Since the album's original debut there has not been many reissues that go above and beyond the album's original UK and U.S. pressings, sonically as well as visually. Fortunately, in 2024, the master minds at 7a Records, thought it might be a good idea to revive the brilliance of this album with a phenomenal remaster and a brand new visual package both on vinyl record—mind you, for the first time ever since its original 1971 release—and a deluxe CD album, both with a 4-song extended track listing. Let's get into it.
.
SONIC PRESENTATION
Being not a new album, we won't be giving an expository review with regard to the intricacies of the songwriting and production of individual songs, however, we will be delving in deep to a choice select few tracks from this album, with regard to their newly remastered sound, in juxtaposition to a bona fide 1971 U.S. original pressing. With its uniqueness and its ability to crossover from a blues rock audience to a folk and pop rock audience, as well as its ability to satisfy the fan of '70s AM radio nostalgia, this was a brilliant choice by 7a Records, with regard to remastering and reissuing this classic rock classic. Goldmine has chosen a concise handful of songs from 7a's Electronically, to compare the heightened sonic quality of their remaster, up against the original 1971 pressing.
As the album opens, you will experience a great bluesy pop-folk original by the band, "She Rowed," which provides the track-listing a great intro and a perky, up-tempo example of what the band is notable for, however, it is the subsequent track, a cover of the Muddy Waters original, "I Just Wanna Make Love To You," which immediately magnifies the calculated attempt of 7a Records, to make this the epitome all Mungo Jerry's album releases with regard to its intricate sonic properties. There is definite heightened separation and sharpness that is evident with regard to the sonic fingerprint (mostly regarding the vinyl record) without losing any sense of an organic analog character. The compact disc is sharp and pin-pointed with regard to its playback identity and competes with any modern day hi-end Japanese reissue to date. Directly as a follow-up comes the band's magnum opus, "In the Summer Time." If this doesn't fall into the top 20 songs of the 'epitome of the '70s', I'll be a monkey's uncle. As I listened intently to my 1971 Dawn Records original, I was struck with nostalgia on the highest of levels. As I scrutinized the 7a Records remaster version of this song (on vinyl), I made significant mental notes with regard to its elevated level of sonic character and its broader dynamics in sound. Most notably, the bass extension (the depth of the low end tonality) was more pronounced and played with a much 'fatter' sound. Overall, the remastering job gives way to more 'life', so to speak, without making it sound too enhanced or overtly modern.
"Coming Back to You When the Time Comes," is an amazing electric folk-rock piece that would normally bring the album to its close. It has always remained as my favorite choice of song on the Electronically Tested album. Since a youth, I have been familiar with its every miniscule musical nuance, which made it easy for me to discern the enhancements (if any) on the 7a Records remaster. As with all modified recordings that come out of the 7a Records catalog, this one is no different. It's dampened sonic flutter (with regard to the 180 gram vinyl record) was evident from the start of the record. Maybe this is just my bias speaking, but this song resonated with something special. Maybe it was because the original album places this at the very end of side two, where a vinyl record tends to play back with the most noise, as opposed to on this remaster being included in the middle of side two of the vinyl record, with less natural sonic disturbance. I considered that, obviously, but ultimately concluded that it was simply and mostly due to the great remastering job by engineer, Dave Blackman. Within the last four songs on the album—the bonus tracks included on this 7a remaster—I gravitated mostly toward "Lady Rose," which is included in the form of its original single version. The original release of the song is found on a 7-inch maxi-single by the band that included the song "She Rowed" (from their then current album, Electronically Tested). "Lady Rose," would eventually be included on the track-listing for the band's fifth studio LP (two albums later), 1972's Boot Power. The single version of the song on this remastered album, sounds heavenly, to say the least. The original version's mix sounds appropriate for the time period, but is a bit muddled up against modern standards. The remastered sonics gave this song a tad more audible separation, with a blatant upgraded dynamic that the original does not possess. To sum up the 7a Records remaster in one phrase—"this is the best damn version of the album, ever."
.
VISUAL PRESENTATION
When it comes to the quality of 7a's version of Electronically Tested, I maybe repeating myself in one form or another (as Goldmine has reviewed many of the label's releases over the past few years). The LP and the compact disc version of this variant are both delivered in quintessential 7a Records protocol, in every way, shape and form, from the sound to the physical to the visual. Though many of 7a's LP releases are accompanied with 'extras', such as commemorative books hosting lyrics, album credits and such, this version of Mungo Jerry's third studio album comes with no frills. It is glamorously presented on 180 gram audiophile-weight vinyl and a pristinely pressed and manufactured compact disc album. The LP comes pressed on heavy weight translucent red vinyl and is housed in a heavy cardstock gatefold LP cover. The inside of the vinyl record cover contains original artwork and liner notes creatively composed by Joe Marchese, and includes memoirs and recollections by Ray Dorset. The compact disc album is slightly more involving. With regard to its sonic character, any and every fan of the compact disc format will find themselves 'over the moon' with regard to the way 7a's digital format presents this deluxe version of the album; it sounds simply perfect, over any recent Japanese audiophile pressing (and yes, I do own a copy of a Japanese Blu-Spec CD release). Moreover, the CD variant comes housed in a tri-fold, six panel digipak case with original artwork and a 24 page collector's booklet with full liner notes and unique photos to boot. This is simply another 'home run' for 7a Records, and a further testament to the label's commitment to keeping monumental legendary music and iconic recording artists, alive and kicking. ?
.
.
.
.
Contact TONE Scott at [email protected]. Please put Adventures of a Music Collector (Deep Purple & Mungo Jerry review ) in the subject line.
.
Find a selection of related music and memorabilia in the official Goldmine store: (Click below)
