GILLAN – Magic [Demon Music Group reissue +8 bonus] (2025), MP3+FLAC

British label Demon Music Group released some time ago the very good GILLAN ‘The Album Collection’ box set (featured at here), but now they present the band’s final LP, 1982’s “Magic” in an Expanded Edition,
featuring 8 bonus tracks including a single co-written & performed with Bernie Marsden.
Led by then former and again now current Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan, ”Magic”, was GILLAN the band final LP. Much more hard rock than the jazzy Ian Gillan Band of the late 70s, GILLAN had a number of hit singles, hit tours, and produced some fine fine rock that mixed blues and blistering metal. And sadly, too often overlooked.
After the 1981 tour, guitarist Bernie Tormé left band probably on the back of more than one bad business decision, and in came former White Spirit (and current Iron Maiden) guitarist Janick Gers for the recording of “Magic”.
Gers was a little more Blackmore-esque, certainly more melodic, and there’s also the feeling of keyboardist Colin Towns taking a bit more control, so there is a shift in the band’s sound, but wonderful it still is. Solid, heavy, but a little more polished.

‘Bluesy Blue Sea’ is just a lovely listen, ‘Demon Driver’ picks things up in a very rocking fashion, and the lighter ‘Long Gone’ is a great tune. Gers has some swirling riffs, and Ian’s voice still the top of its game. There’ also a lovely cover of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Living For The City’ too.

The bonuses features a number of single B-sides, some studio outtakes, and the late ’80s Ian Gillan 45rpm single ‘South Africa’ (and its B-side). This track features Bernie Marsden co-writing and on guitar. It was released in 1988 to coincide with the Nelson Mandela 70th birthday concert at Wembley Stadium. The single was mixed by Jimbo Barton.

Leaving aside the bad business decisions that led to the band’s early demise, there is such a great catalog here that could have gone on and on. But such is life.
This is classic hard rock is as good as it gets, but even if you already own it, reissues like this are a joy to behold.
Highly Recommended

 

01 – What’s The Matter
02 – Bluesy Blue Sea
03 – Caught In A Trap
04 – Long Gone
05 – Driving Me Wild
06 – Demon Driver
07 – Living A Lie
08 – You’re So Right
09 – Living For The City
10 – Demon Driver [reprise]
BONUS TRACKS:
11 – Breaking Chains (Bonus Track)
12 – Purple Sky (Bonus Track)
13 – Fiji (Bonus Track)
14 – Helter Skelter (Bonus Track)
15 – Smokestack Lightning (Bonus Track)
16 – South Africa [feat Bernie Marsden] (Bonus Track)
17 – John (Bonus Track)
18 – South Africa – Extended 12” Version (Bonus Track)

Ian Gillan – vocals, harmonica
Janick Gers – guitar
Colin Towns – keyboards
John McCoy – bass guitar
Mick Underwood – drums
Bernie Marsden – guitar

MP3 FLAC