THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS/HITS OF GOLD SSL 5007 (-69) UK

 I really dug their music back then. In the midst of all psych and garage I usually listened to they offered a plenty of sweet melodies conveyed by soft arrangements which worked as some kind of spa treatment for my weary teen mind. I haven't listened a lot to them lately and therefore it was a delight to find this compilation in a bin a while ago. The title doesn't lie. It really is a gold plate, among others containing their biggest hits, which also happens to be my favorites - "California Dreaming", "Dedicated To The One I Love", "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" and "Monday Monday". Closing my eyes in the listening chair they all take me back and make me reminisce less complicated times. A couple of the stereo mixes may sound a little primitive by today's measures, but the audio is overall tophole so good listening anyway. A place for healthy escapism, much needed in this dark uncertain age. Issued and reissued all over the world on vinyl, cassette and 8-track. Premiere US as "16 Of Their Greatest Hits" (Dunhill 50064) had slightly different sleeve design. UK 1990 CD came  with four bonus tracks (MCA MCLD 19050). First UK (also as mono SL 5007) had label as shown here with "Sold in UK..." in a laminated flip/back cover. (FÄV*)