The first compilation conceived by Deep Purple as opposed to the band's record company, '24 Carat Purple' appropriately stands proud, among what is now a landslide of collections and hits packages, as a flawless representation of the band's Mark II identity at its very best.

The 'Made in Japan' double live album consumes much of the single disc's body weight -- the epic renditions of "Smoke on the Water," "Child in Time," and "Strange Kind of Woman" are, after all, among Deep Purple's most resonant moments, while '24 Carat Purple' also lures in collectors with a thunderous "Black Night," recorded at the same shows but omitted from the original album (it has since been appended to the 'Made in Japan' CD remaster).

With "Woman in Tokyo," "Fireball," and "Never Before" peeling off recent singles and "Speed King" excerpted from 'Deep Purple In Rock', '24 Carat Purple' truly is a gold-plated depiction of the band at its all-time peak, before Ian Gillan and Roger Glover went their separate ways and an entire new journey kicked off with 'Burn'.

~ Review by Dave Thompson, All Music Guide

TRACK LISTING:

1  Woman From Tokyo   
2  Fireball   
3  Strange Kind Of Woman   
4  Never Before   
5  Black Night   
6  Speed King   
7  Smoke On The Water   
8  Child In Time