THE PRETTY THINGS/SINGLES A's & B's SHSM 2022 (-77) UK (MONO + STEREO)

Time to post another good compilation with some very rare tracks. Pretty Things started off as the rawest and raunchiest of all English R&B groups. Signed for Fontana 1964 and had lots of high charters following years in Europe and Australia, but never got a big hit in US. With longest hair, drug charges and provocative attitudes the guys were very good at being bad and had a big following to their outrageous live act. But in 1967 they left Fontana for EMI and everything changed. Appearances tuned down and the music mutated from rude R&B to heavy psychedelia. This can't be explained by the label change only. Probably it has to do with changing of drugs from speed to acid . Nothing odd about that - it happened to a lot of groups at the time, resulting in a common change of musical direction. However the new sound didn't go very well with the public, so non of their first six 45's for Columbia and Harvest charted and most sank without a trace. Therefore this is a very valuble collection. Thirteen heavy psych single tracks, all produced by Norman Smith, with true mixes. Side one has all '45 tracks recorded for Columbia 1967-68 in mono (although label say stereo), and side two contains the Harvest ones from 1970-71 in original stereo. So if you like analog and want their authentic single issues on LP, this is pretty much the only place. Also issued on vinyl in Spain (Harvest C 062-006544). German 1989 CD on SPV (085-89882). Premiere UK had label as shown here and thin laminated cover. (PÖP*)(HÄVL*)