Deep Purple Is Set To Reissue a Revamped Classic: A Remix and Expansion of an Overlooked Gem
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A Fresh Look at a Forgotten Album
Deep Purple is bringing back Rapture of the Deep with a remix and expansion, 20 years after its release. The album was their fourth since Steve Morse replaced Ritchie Blackmore and the second with Don Airey after Jon Lord’s departure. Although often overlooked, the band is now giving it a second life.
The reissue arrives on August 29 and will be available in several formats: CD Digipak, digital, 3LP black 180-gram vinyl, and a limited-edition transparent sky-blue 3LP vinyl. A full tracklist and a new remix of “Junkyard Blues” have been released for fans to explore.
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Struggles and Studio Revival
At the time of the album’s original release, Deep Purple had just been dropped by EMI following two albums — 1998’s Abandon and 2003’s Bananas — neither of which charted in the U.S. Rapture of the Deep was eventually released under Germany’s Edel label, and while it made the Top 20 in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany, it didn’t chart in the U.K. or the U.S.
“We were going through a bit of a hard time when we started the songwriting and production of Rapture of the Deep,” bassist Roger Glover writes in the new liner notes. “And, strangely enough, we didn’t have a record company at that point. Let’s face it, we were a bit lost.”
Remastered with New Material
Glover has now created a new mix of the album, which was analog-mastered at Chameleon Studios in Hamburg. This updated release includes a bonus disc of previously unreleased instrumental takes and studio rehearsals. One rare track called “Closing Note,” recorded during the original sessions by Steve Morse, is featured for the first time.
The reissue also comes with new artwork. “It’s a new album now to me,” Glover says.
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Deep Purple, ‘Rapture of the Deep’ 20th Anniversary Reissue Tracklist
CD/LP
“Money Talks”
“Things I Never Said”*
“Rapture of the Deep”
“Clearly Quite Absurd”
“MTV”*
“Back to Back”
“Wrong Man”
“Girls Like That”
“Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”
“Don’t Let Go”
“Junkyard Blues”
“Before Time Again”
*Not on original album
Bonus CD/LP (2005 jams and rehearsals)
“MTV”
“Money Talks”
“Back to Back”
“Before Time Began”
“Closing Note”
