I feel really sorry for all these one-track minded poor people out there, who are bashing so hard on this album, just because it doesn't sound like DP some 15-20 years earlier. For you guys maybe "Deep Purple = Machine head" and nothing else matters. Ask yourselves now whether you're one of these people. Well, if DP wanted to sound like they did during the early 70s, they would do it. Personaly I like the first line up (with Rod Evens) AND the Slaves And Masters album, especially the only song that Joe Linn Turner wrote for the album "TOO MUCH IS NOT ENOUGH", is the best DP song for me ever. I've been listening to DP since a child, for more than 20 years and I own the whole DP and Rainbow discography, together with over 1200 other albums, I listen to alot of music almost every day, and I do my second year as a "Musical Arts" student (bass guitar), so believe me, I know what I'm talking about. Yes, and I like the 74-75 albums with David Coverdale more than Mahine head. Don't you ever get tired of listening to Smoke on the water? I would agree with everyone who says this album is not like mk2 DP, but I would NOT agree that this album is in any way worse than any other DP album. It's a pleasure giving album, and "Too much is not enough" just rocks with its groovy mood.

"Slaves & Masters" isn't "Machine Head" but it's still a great work. Joe Lynn Turner brought a lot of feeling to the band, as he did in Rainbow. There are pretty good songs in this CD: The smash "King Of Dreams", "Fire In The Basement", the beautiful ballad "Love Conquers All", "The Cut Runs Deep", etc. So, Ritchie's guitar itself deserves five stars, and I really don't understand the unfair reviews that dismissed this excelent album. It's fresh, it has a new spirit, in fact I would like another Purple Cd with Joe on vocals. But, I'm happy with his new project, along with "the voice of rock", Mr. Glenn Hughes. These two men, together, are dynamite! I must recommend this album to everyone, because it really has great songs, strength and the exact dose of melody. Not to tell that here still plays the best guitarist of all time and one of the greatest vocaslists in hard rock history.

I've had this album, since it was released, and was just listening to it recently (October 2006), so my review is not just based on the pleasure of a first listen.

I was impressed with this album when it was initially released, and remain so to this day. From a guitar point of view, it's probably the last album where Blackmore was given a free rein, and I enjoy his work on this.

As far as songwriting goes, my favourite track, would have to be "Fire in the Basement", I would love to see how that worked out live. I really get the feeling, it would be an equal to "Lazy".

I have to acknowledge those who refuse to credit this as a Deep Purple album, and refer it it as Rainbow. I find this hard to understand, given that the Ian Gillan Band been releasing product under the Deep Purple brand for how many years now?

With Ian Gillan gone, Ritchie Blackmore could do anything he wanted with Deep Purple. Bringing on ex Rainbow singer Joe Lynn Turner, "SLAVES AND MASTERS" (1990) sure sounds like the later Rainbow. The songs are performed in a smooth and polished way, making this effort lean towards pop metal. Even though it's rather harmless and not cutting edge, some tracks are indeed very good - listen to the melodic "King of dreams" and "Wicked ways", the rhythm `n' blues inspired "Fire in the basement", and the groovy "Too much is not enough". And if you like slower tunes, Deep Purple give you an attractive semi ballad in "truth hurts" and a traditional sounding one in "Love conquers all". Blackmore & Co do not go for the heavier stuff on "SLAVES AND MASTERS" and in comparison with albums like "MACHINE HEAD", "FIREBALL", and "BURN", this album doesn't even close when it comes to originality. Anyway, "SLAVES AND MASTERS" is a solid effort, and if you're into Rainbow's Joe Lynn Turner era, I suppose you will find this one very enjoyable.

Rainbow meets Deep Purple. What a concept. this album along with "Bananas" are the only two serious blemishes in the studio Deep Purple catalogue. This album flatly sucks. Joe Lynn Turner is an average singer at best. Hard to believe that the band that turned down Rod Stewart early in his career would ever consider a singer like him. and the rest of the band is just going through the motions tring to recapture their glory years with subpar material at best. Avoid this at all costs. Not for diehards, not for anybody!! Go to The Battle Rages On. And if you're a Deep Purple fan from the 70's looking for Purple music, try Purpendicular or Rapture Of The Deep. Heed my advice!!