There is a superb concept taking place here as THE ROYAL PURPLE once again take a number of obscure tracks from artists both well known or otherwise, add in the odd original composition, and produce an album of time defying sixties pop. The project features the constants of STU RUTHERFORD and MIKE SINOCCHI supported by a whole host of guest artists and between them have produced once more a thoroughly enjoyable disc of retro pop that underscores the fact that musical gems remain to be discovered from many eras and also proves that so many of the high profile cover albums released by 'name' bands clearly lack imagination and are, as often suspected, merely barrel scraping cash-ins.

Amongst the thought provoking inclusions is a version of BEE GEES' "I'll Know What I Do" where although the original is unknown to me it challenges the notion that ignoring the band due to their 1970's disco related crimes and "Massa-bloody-chussets" is maybe overlooking material actually worth hearing elsewhere in their long history. An unexpected cover of BLACK SABBATH's "A Hard Road" from the much maligned 1979 album "Never Say Die" is also a welcome surprise and here it gets the full 60's flavour workover that you feel perhaps the original players wanted to go for but were reluctant to do due to image. That the inventors of heavy metal could be responsible for the superb psychedelic tinted pop song as performed here is an intriguing notion. Interestingly the opening song "Come On Home" from Rutherford's own pen ranks amongst the best of what's on offer with it's distinctly MONKEES style setting the tone for the rest of the album.

As with the previous ROYAL PURPLE releases it seems this disc is available gratis from their website and with that sort of generosity it's almost rude not to go and check it out.

- Leslie

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/theroyalpurple

RELATED ITEMS: Royal Purple interview, May 2007