After the group left Decca 1970, the label continued to push out albums with recordings they still had the rights to. Some of the original material was previously unreleased for obvious reasons - it wasn't good enough. They also issued promos, bad alternate takes and lukewarm live cuts. Most of it leaves an unpleasant scent, but if I have have to choose one not quite as bad - it's this one. Consisting of eight B-sides and four EP-tracks, most UK non-LP, it could have been a true gem. Garage pearls, rare oddities and a few classics, all in one place with good audio. The only problem is they didn't keep the prime mono mixes. Three of the tracks are true stereo (as far as I can tell of US origin), but the remaining nine re-channeled. If all had been original it would be a five star compilation, now it's just average. Reason I'm keeping it is the stereo cuts - especially "Child Of The Moon" sounds good - most of the others can be found on German "Around And Around" in true mono (see previous post). (RÅ*)
Despite what the sleeve & the label says, only two tracks are true stereo here; 2120 S-Michigan Ave & COTM. "The Singer not the song" is fake stereo too and doesn't exist in true stereo. "Surprise, Surprise" first appeared on the Decca charity-sampler "14" (1965, mono only). All the others originally were UK/US B-sides & UK EP tracks, as noted.
SvaraRaderaI would agree that this is a good compilation, but it's rather difficult to ignore the "electronically re-channeled" effect on some of the songs, while others are passable.
Sounds right to me. The only one I listen to from it is Child Of The Moon - a great track and OK stereo. The mono B-side is better, but I enjoy this too. For most of the others I prefer German "Around And Around".
SvaraRadera