HERMAN'S HERMITS/THERE'S A KIND OF HUSH ALL OVER THE WORLD SX 6174 (-67) UK MONO

From the beginning a US/Canadian compilation (MGM E/SE 4438), issued in UK about three months later. As usual with Herman's Hermits albums it's a fine collection of perky and catchy songs determined to make you smile or at least put you in a good mood, this time including a couple of top 45:s - among them "No Milk Today", "Dandy" and title track. As produced by Mickie Most (1938-2003) you should expect tophole mixes and audio, but this comes out wrong...at least to my ears. Many of the songs sounds different from the corresponding ones I have on other mono releases, deviating in balance and separation - and never to the better. I don't have any original stereo to compare with at the moment so I can't be 100%, but this sounds like a fold. If so I can think of two explanations. Since it was first planned and released as a stereo export (SCXC 34) only the US two-channel tapes were requested and when later decided to make a double domestic issue they used those for both formats...or maybe the US mono was a fold in the first place. If anyone reading this knows more - please comment and tell! First UK had label as shown here and laminated flip/back cover. (HÄHX*)