Deep Purple in Rock

This review is for the Rhino/Warners 2019 "limited edition" LP pressed on purple vinyl. Beware...there are several other versions of this classic rock album available on Amazon (one by Friday Music), but this is hands-down the superior pressing. Previously, Rhino would use several different pressing plants for their reissues - with frustratingly mixed results. For instance, this same title (In Rock) was reissued several years back (FRM 2564), and was pressed at Rainbo, whose quality control can be a bit spotty (or just dreadfull) at times. Apparently they've since learned their lesson, and have recently been using Optimal and occasionally, even RTI. That previous version was also remastered for vinyl by Joe Reagoso, who, at least until recently, has been their "go to" guy. While a very competent and experienced engineer, I personally have never been a fan of his past efforts. This 2019 edition was (thankfully) cut to lacquer at half-speed by Barry Grint at Alchemy Mastering from the original master tapes, and Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham remastered for the 180-gram vinyl. Sorry about the boring geeky stuff, but what this means is that this reissue trounces all previous pressings/remasters, and the difference is night-and-day. Basically, unless you've got a near-mint copy of the original, this is the definitive version to own. The Optimal pressing is simply flawless (at least on my copy) and the remaster/sonics are superb. I'm fairly confident the new "Fireball" reissue would be the same. Highly recommended.

This remake of the initial album featuring the classic lineup of Ian Gillan (vocals), Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), the late Jon Lord (keyboards), Roger Glover (bass), and Ian Paice (drums) enhances the lean power of the original recording. It also introduced American audiences to the iconic band that would later produce such classics as "Strange Kind of Woman," "Highway Star," and the anthemic "Smoke on the Water." From the prolonged introduction to "Speed King" (different than on the vinyl LP) to the decisive conclusion of "Hard Lovin' Man," this album grabs your attention and never lets up. The climax has to be the eerie, soaring "Child in Time," with its soft, contemplative start that slowly but inexorably builds to a frenzied crescendo with a virtual duel between Ritchie Blackmore's guitar and Jon Lord's organ. Ian Gillan's distinctive, muscular tenor is taken through its full range on that song, and he acquits himself equally well on the rest of the material. Though not as well received or regarded as their subsequent work, it's still a true classic and every serious progressive rock and heavy fan should have it. Deep Purple reached their creative apogee with this lineup, which is perhaps the main reason these same 5 blokes reunited for 1984's "Perfect Strangers" and a couple of follow-up efforts, which, though not quite up to the standard of the earlier works, were still impressive and fit well with the contemporary musical styles. "In Rock" is just as good an introduction to Deep Purple as its successors.

Maybe the best album of Deep Purple.

I dislike waiting, but the recording is amazingly good

One of the greatest rock albums of all time. Vinyl sounds great and I love the purple color!Thinking of getting the other purple vinyl re issues seeing I am so pleased with this one!

It arrives to South America (Peru) in exactly one month , in excellent conditions, I really like that item. I hope the product’s arrival time improves.

I used this product to play music on my turntable. It worked quite well for doing this, and I sat back and was well pleased.

There are alot of pressings of In Rock, but this is in my opinion is the best one.