14 GREAT ARTISTS LK 4695 (-65) UK MONO

Classic UK sampler with fourteen songs recorded directly for the album in favour of youth cricket in Britain. For a couple of them this was the sole vinyl release while others showed up on '33 or '45 later, sometimes having alternate edits or versions. Mike Leander Orchestra "Sandstorm" and Bachelors "Maureen" only appears here. The Dave Berry, Bern Elliot, Lulu and Unit 4+2 cuts can be found on later LP:s, while the ones from Kathy Kirby, Tom Jones, Johnny Howard and Applejacks went directly to CD. Rolling Stones "Surprise Surprise" did appear on the US "Rolling Stones Now!" album soon after this, but first UK re-issue didn't show up until 1970 as a single B-side. Zombies "Nothing's Changed" is on the 1970 Decca collection "World Of The Zombies", released in stereo and mono, but the mono version there may be some kind of fold down while this is a true mix - in any case they don't sound the same. All that aside it is an excellent mid-sixties sampler with lots of good music well reflecting the UK scene back then. Of the two exclusive tracks Mike Leander's "Sandstorm" is an orchestrated instrumental with eastern theme and Bachelors "Maureen" rather ordinary uptempo pop. Furher Tom Jones does some really good power singing in "Kiss Kiss" and Applejacks "Baby's In Black" a very enjoyable Beatles cover. The audio is top notch. For most label samplers the cuts came out of second hand tapes picked from recordings of various quality, but the ones on here were all made first hand giving a totally fresh impression and I doubt you can get them better elsewhere. For exemple I've never heard "Surprise Surprise" so natural and well separated. US issue as "England's Greatest Hitmakers" (London LL3430). Premiere UK had ridged label as shown here and laminated cover with handling/playing inner. (SÄM*)(RÅ*)(FÖGÄ*)