One Eye To Morocco is the first solo album with all-new material in ten years of legendary hard rock group Deep Purple's vocalist Ian Gillan. The album material was written during the gap of Purple's world tour, in the USA.

Gillan was the driving force of classic Deep Purple MkII that in the '70s changed rock fashions through a series of successful records, he featured on Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s concept album Jesus Christ Superstar, singing the title role. In 1980 he signed to Virgin records and began to enjoy his solo career, which saw him have a series of top 40 singles and top 20 albums in the UK. In 1983, Gillan joined Black Sabbath, much to the surprise of his fans, and in 1984 he and the 1969-1973 line of Deep Purple reunited.

One Eye To Morocco came about as Gillan himself tells; when he was in a café in Cracow, Poland 2005, listening to the related stories of Oscar Schindler from his friend, Tommy Djiubinski, when the voice faded - and then returned. Tommy told him: "Ah, Ian you have one eye to Morocco." Ian didn't understand the meaning of this Polish idiom, until he was told all of it: "To have one eye to Morocco and another to Caucasus". It means not concentrating on the matter at hand. This saying inspired Gillan to make another solo album, and the title for the album was set to One Eye To Morocco.

From the cello loaded Eastern sounding opening title track to the closing reflective 'Always the Traveller' Gillan repositions himself in the rock market place as a nasal voiced, mature rock singer with an eclectic bank of songs.

There’s something for everyone here, from the exquisite Latin feel of ‘Don’t Stop’ to the retro rock and roll feel of ‘No Lotion For That’ to the Bluesy beat of ‘Better Days’. I particularly liked ‘It Would Be Nice’ which has the quiet / loud / quiet dynamic with a beautiful solo horn that emerges two minutes into the track. This is an emotionally charged song that leaves you wanting more.

‘Change My Ways’ unfortunately isn’t one of the best tracks on this album. It opens with a harmonica that hurts the ears and reminds me of the opening to the American sitcom, Roseanne. I love the end of ‘Always The Traveller’. The whole song feels like you have just been on a journey which to be honest you have after listening to this album as its so diverse. The sax solo is chilled and relaxed which rounds of the CD nicely.

This album has real substance, comprising of great songs, good vocals and good playing. I think it will surprise both fans and ‘passers by’ as Gillan has showed the recharging of his creative juices and a triumphant shift in musical direction.

8

Helena Rea