New music: Deep Purple, Sparkle*Jets U.K., The Fabulous Thunderbirds

A trio of top-tier music makers are back with wonderful new albums.

Artist: Deep Purple

Title: =1 (earMUSIC)

You might like if you enjoy: Deep Purple, Rainbow

Tell me more: Deep Purple's newly-released album =1 is at once a celebration of the British hard rocker's groundbreaking career and a band focused on the future. Indeed, the current lineup of singer Ian Gillan, bassist Roger Glover, drummer Ian Paice, keyboardist Don Airey and new guitarist Simon McBride collectively deliver potent performances across the 13-track Bob Ezrin-produced masterwork. Early standouts on the album include the taunt opener "Show Me," fiery "A Bit On The Side" and driving "Portable Door" (the latter featuring some dazzling lead guitar and organ work courtesy of McBride and Airey respectively). The bluesy "If I Were You" (showcasing Giillan's signature vocals), bewitching "Pictures of You," the sweeping rocker "Lazy Sod," lovely "I'll Catch You" and prog rock closer "Bleeding Obvious" entice on the last part of the album. The bonus DVD features the documentary "Access All Areas" allowing viewers to catch the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers backstage on tour and providing an exclusive look behind the scenes at the band. =1 is available now in a number of formats including a CD+DVD digipak (the version reviewed in this column), several limited edition 2LP vinyl versions, and a limited edition box set that includes CD+DVD, digital, 2LP black Gatefold, a collector's T-shirt, guitar picks and more! Information: ear-music.net.

Artist: Sparkle*Jets U.K.

Title: Box of Letters (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Brian Wilson, The Zombies, Pugwash, Fountains of Wayne

Tell me more: Sparkle*Jets U.K.'s Box of Letters is a euphoric listen, a disc that features Susan West (vocals, guitar), Michael Simmons (vocals, guitar, percussion) and Jamie Knight (bass) making a triumphant return on their first album of mostly original material in more than 20 years. After opening with an inspired cover of the Zombies' "This Will Be Our Year," Sparkle*Jets U.K. proceed to explore the far-flung corners of their sonic universe with a diverse mix of infectious songs ranging from the melodic rocker "Good Bye X 3" and aptly-titled Beach Boys-minded "I Can't Wait for Summer" to the harmonious alt rocker "Love Burn," dreamy "Little Circles," rollicking "Box of Letters" and jaunty closer "Hey Grandma." And just listen to the genre mash-up "Princess Needy," with its magical mix of chamber pop and disco stylings. The fact that West's punchy song craft and vocal approach works so well with Simmons' melodic and artful approach as as singer-songwriter brings an added dimension across Box of Letters. Simmons' rich and detailed production is the other key part of the bona fide success of the outstanding Box of Letters. Information: BigStirRecords.com. 

Artist: The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Title: Struck Down (Stony Plain Records)

You might like if you enjoy: The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Kim Wilson, Billy Gibbons

Tell me more: What do Bonnie Raitt, Elvin Bishop, Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo', Mick Fleetwood and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons have in common? All appear on the Fabulous Thunderbirds' eagerly-awaited return Struck Down. With singer-songwriter/master harmonica master Kim Wilson at the helm, the band delivers 10 terrific tracks sure to please blues aficionados. Leading off with the aptly-titled mid tempo "Struck Down By The Blues" (featuring Canadian blues guitar player Steve Strongman) the album showcases a wonderful mix of material. The buoyant Cajun-mining "Don't Make No Sense" finds Wilson singing and playing his blues harp with zeal amidst a sonic backdrop highlighted by Terrance Simien's accordion work. The Texas-flavored blues rocker "Payback Time" is bolstered by Gibbons' signature guitar and vocals. Other standouts on Struck Down include the acoustic blues gem "Nothing In Rambling" (featuring Keb' Mo', Raitt, Mahal and Fleetwood), the driving and instantly infectious "Won't Give Up," fiery "Whatcha Do To Me" (the latter featuring Bishop on guitar) and spirited "That's Cold." Wilson turns in a particularly heartfelt vocal performance on the disc-ending ballad "Sideline." In addition to Wilson, the Fabulous Thunderbirds' lineup includes Bob Welsh (keyboards, guitar), Rudy Albin Petschauer (drums, percussion), Steven Kirsty (bass, saxophone) and Johnny Moeller (guitar). Information: fabulousthunderbirds.com. 

Robert Kinsler

New music: Sparkle*Jets U.K., Tony Valentino, Jorma Kaukonen, The Mosquitos

The intoxicating sounds of Southern California's Turn-of-the-Century music scene, as well as the groundbreaking stylings of the 1960s, 1980s and acoustic roots music are revisited thanks to a handful of great 2023 releases.

Artist: Sparkle*Jets U.K.

Title: Best of Friends (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Matthew Sweet, Walter Clevenger & the Dairy Kings, Psychic Rain, Jellyfish

Tell me more: For many years I wrote an award-winning column titled "Orange Pop" for The Orange County Register where I had the thrill of covering that region's explosive music scene. Many of the artists — notably No Doubt, Sugar Ray, Walter Trout and Lit — went on to global success after making a splash locally. However, many of my favorite artists achieved only cult status despite their incredible talent. It's great to see Turn-of-the-Century power pop trio Sparkle*Jets U.K. return with a fantastic new album (Best of Friends, available June 30) — the band's first new studio LP in more than 20 years. The aptly-titled Best of Friends finds Michael Simmons (lead and backing vocals, guitar, keyboards, drums), Susan West (lead and backing vocals) and Jamie Knight (bass, 12-string guitar) offers their distinctive sonic stamp on 21 gems originally recorded by Southern California-based artists who were their contemporaries. The album opens with a wistful take on Walter Clevenger's "Hold On Tight" before the band turns on a dime to deliver a glorious take on The Masticators' "He's Coming Out." A Baroque pop reading of Kompost's "One Summer Sunday," luxurious cover of Cockeyed Ghost's "Ludlow 6:18," a buoyant version of Candypants' "I Want a Pony" and rollicking run through The Dons' "Till We Meet Again" are among my other faves on the first half of the terrific title. The momentum and caliber of the collection never falters; sumptuous versions of The Shazam's "Sunshine Tonight," Linus of Hollywood's "Good Sounds," Wondermints' "In and Around Greg Lake," Kenny Howes and the Yeah!'s "Right Idea," The Negro Problem's "Mahnsanto" and The See Saw's "Probleme Romantique" on the last half of the set have me pretty sure that Sparkle*Jets U.K.'s Best of Friends will land on my favorite albums of 2023 list. Information: BigStirRecords.com.

Artist: Tony Valentino

Title: Dirty Water Revisited (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: The Standells, the Electric Prunes, the Chocolate Watchband

Tell me more: Released on May 26, Dirty Water Revisited marks the high profile return of founding Standells' guitarist Tony Valentino. Along with singer-keyboardist Larry Tamblyn, bassist Jody Rich and drummer Benny King, Valentino was a key player in the Los Angeles-spawned quartet's groundbreaking garage rock sound showcased in their timeless 1966 hit "Dirty Water." On his return Valentino — as well as vocalist/drummer Duane Waider, keyboardist Zero E and bassist-guitarist/vocalist Gary Kaluza — revisits a handful of the enduring gems recorded by the Standells including a rousing take on the aforementioned "Dirty Water," rhythm guitar-anchored "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White" (the latter bolstered by Valentino's harmonica playing), the electrifying "Barracuda" and rollicking "Try It." The Valentino-produced album also hits high marks thanks to the surf-meets-soul rocker "There Is a Storm Comin'," the blistering hardcore tribute "I'm a Sexy Punk Rocker" (the latter a nod to the Standells' influence on punk rock), infectious "Vicki" and psychedelic "Love Me." Information: BigStirRecords.com.

Artist: Jorma Kaukonen

Title: Live at the Bottom Line (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna, acoustic blues

Tell me more: Recorded live on Aug. 23, 2003, the new title Live at the Bottom Line is a fantastic concert recorded featuring legendary singer-guitarist Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna) accompanied by Barry Mitterhoff (mandolin, octave mandolin, tenor guitar, tenor banjo) and Cindy Cashdollar (steel guitar). Captured not long after the release of his 2002 Grammy-nominated album Blue Country Heart, this is truly a flawless mix of Americana, country, blues and folk music performed by a trio of virtuoso musicians. The buoyant "Blue Railroad Train" (which includes terrific mandolin playing from Mitterhoff), countrified Jimmie Rodgers nugget "Waiting for a Train," his beautiful original "Do Not Go Gentle" (written for Kaukonen's father) and luxurious instrumental "Living in the Moment" are standouts on disc one. Disc two features an ambitious 11+ minute version of the traditional spiritual "Good Shepherd," an uplifting country blues cover of Reverend Gary Davis' "I Am the Light of This World" and masterful arrangement of the traditional "Hesitation Blues." Two decades after this magical performance was staged at New York's Bottom Line music venue, it's great that a wider audience gets to hear the magic again. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: The Mosquitos

Title: this then are The Mosquitos! (Kool Kat Musik)

You might like if you enjoy: The Monkees, The Beatles, The Dave Clark Five

Tell me more: Fans of melodic '60s-mining rock will want to get a listen to the wonderful this then are The Mosquitos! The Mosquitos' story is almost as compelling as the band's music; in the mid-1980s the rising outfit called it quits on the brink of stardom (indeed, the band was named Best New Rock Group at the New York Music Awards in 1986). Now fast forward to 2023 and The Mosquitos' infectious style blending songwriting elements spanning from the 1950s and 1960s to the 1980s can be heard by all. Standouts abound on the 47-track double CD that collects many of the Mosquitos' best studio and live recordings, with shining vocal harmonies a key part of what makes the outfit's sound so special. As noted in press notes released in connection with the collection: "Since the band only recorded a third of their original songs in the studio, the rest are represented in a live setting. Much care was taken to find the best versions, and some you'll swear are studio recordings." 

"Let's Stomp" is a hyper successful mix of 1950s rockabilly and Devo-like minimalist rock that connects with a single listen. "You Don't Give a Hang (About Me)" is fully original, with layers of shimmering guitars and immersive vocals. "Darn Well," "Quit It" and "I'm So Ashamed" are rousing garage rockers; "Wrong Side of Town" and "I'll Just Hide" conjure up the bona fide excitement of the British Invasion. The band's melodic power pop nugget "That Was Then, This Is Now" (a cover of that Mosquitos original was a comeback hit for the Monkees in 1986), sumptuous "I Know a Secret," propulsive "Standing In the Rain," tender "Stephanie Says" and affecting "Christmas Dream" are other wonderful songs on the essential collection. Information: koolkatmusik.com.

Robert Kinsler