For decades, and especially during the ’70s, Deep Purple has created a number of excellent albums. Their Mark II set, Machine Head, represented the band’s 6th album release. By the time of its release, they have had a hit with “Hush” and were steadily climbing in audience awareness. Machine Head (1972) set a standard that was hard for them to top but they sure did try. By 2021, the band had released 22 studio sets, many with the core band mates of Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, Roger Glover, Jon Lord. There were other essential, to be sure (Ritchie Blackmore, David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes, Tommy Bolin, Steve Morse) that helped set a unique period with Deep Purple. But the core is the core. In 2002, Jon Lord‘s retirement found Don Airey as a replacement, and Steve Morse, who left in 2022, was replaced by Simon MacBride.
On July 19, earMUSIC will release the next in a long line of Deep Purple studio sets with =1. This new album will feature 13 new tracks from the new/old band. Bob Ezrin, one of the ’70s great producers has produced this new set of songs from Deep Purple. The new album will be issue a single that will be premiering on April 30.
=1 will be released on CD, CD/DVD, Limited Edition CS exclusive to the band’s website, a standard black 180g-weight 2LP set in gatefold jacket, a Limited Edition 180g-weight purple 2LP vinyl set in gatefold package, a Limited Edition 2LP picture disc exclusive to the band’s website, and a specially assembled box that will offer CD, DVD, 2LP black vinyl, 3 10″ vinyl featuring live tracks, 24-page booklet, XL Tee, art print, a lanyard, and 2 guitar picks.
You can pre-order all here at this link.
=1 – Deep Purple
01 Show Me
02 A Bit On The Side
03 Sharp Shooter
04 Portable Door
05 Old-Fangled Thing
06 If I Were You
07 Pictures Of You
08 I’m Saying Nothin’
09 Lazy Sod
10 Now You’re Talkin’
11 No Money To Burn
12 I’ll Catch You
13 Bleeding Obvious