Shades of Deep Purple, the debut album from Deep Purple, was released in 1968 and it's quite the trip. This album is a fascinating mix of flower power psychedelia, commercial pop, proto-progressive rock, and a dash of hard rock. It's like they threw a bunch of musical genres into a blender and hit puree. The result? A unique and enjoyable musical smoothie that showcases the band's versatility and creativity. Now, let's talk about the tracklist. The album kicks off with the instrumental "And the Address," which is a pretty bold move for a debut album. But hey, when you've got the talent of Jon Lord on the Hammond organ, why not show it off? Next up is "Hush," a cover of a song by Joe South, which became a massive hit for the band. It's got a catchy chorus of "na-na-nas" and Jon Lord's breezy Hammond solo. It's like the musical equivalent of a warm hug. "One More Rainy Day" is a lovely little pop-rock number that'll have you tapping your toes and humming along. "Mandrake Root" is a psychedelic scorcher that's become a live concert favorite, often extended to 20 minutes or more for some epic jamming. The album also features covers of "Help!" by The Beatles and "Hey Joe" by Jimi Hendrix, both given the Deep Purple treatment. The band's take on "Hey Joe" is particularly excellent, with a Spanish flavor that gives it a fresh spin. Overall, Shades of Deep Purple is a solid debut from a band that would go on to become one of the most influential hard rock bands of all time. It's a fun and fascinating listen, and it's worth checking out if you're a fan of 60s music or just want to hear the early days of a legendary band. Here's the full tracklist for your reference: 1. And the Address 2. Hush 3. One More Rainy Day 4. Mandrake Root 5. Help! 6. Love Help Me 7. Hey Joe Now, go forth and enjoy the musical journey that is Shades of Deep Purple.

Slide Hampton - The Fabulous Slide Hampton Quartet - Full Album - 1969 Recorded at Studios Pathe Marconi; Paris, France Jan.6 / 69 EMI/Pathe 2C-062-10156 1969 1 - In Case Of Emergency 0:00 2 - Last Minute Blues 10:03 3 - Chop Suey 17:19 4 - Lament 25:15 5 - Impossible Waltz 29:59 Slide Hampton - Trombone Joachim Kuhn - Piano Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen - Bass Philly Joe Jones - Drums