I received this cd, the latest from Nigel Lees excellent Top Sounds Records.
The cd has 3 more tracks than it's vinyl counterpart seemingly (I'm a cd only buyer/listener)
Top Sounds does it again featuring mostly unreleased UK psych artefacts from acetates, which have been cleaned up and restored for the best sound quality that can be achieved,a costly job I DON'T envy doing.
They HAVE succeded in their quest as it's ALL very listenable!!
As with ALL Top Sounds CDs, this comes with a thick booklet full of thorough liners, with information that they've been able to gather on the mostly unknown groups and recordings, though Tomorrow do feature with an unreleased demo recording, the only other group I recognised were The Graded Grains
The rest were unknown to myself which is ALWAYS good,as to hear a comp of mostly unknown British psychedelic artefacts from the late 60s/early 70s is a rarity in these days of easy internet access, plus kudos to Top Sounds for sticking with the cd as others seem to have dropped this choice as they continue with the more expensive vinyl only releases, or the horrible download route!!
The artwork is very redolent of the period this music comes from, and is colourfully eye-catching too, with a marvelous lay out in the booklet with photos of the acetates label and it's connected information of dates etc, along with information on each group featured where available.
This IS a splendid archival release that Is similar to the "Psychedelic Schlemiels"series of comps from over 20 years ago, which featured many unknown British psych recordings from mostly unknown groups and artists.
I won't run-through the tracklist or comment on each track as I usually do,but I WILL say anyone with an interest in British psychedelia from the late 60s/early 70s must get this as there are fabulous topnotch psych nuggets to be found, and unfortunately 2 come from an unknown outfit, of the same song with a fabulous story behind it.
For me this has some of the best "new"discoveries of late 60s UK psychedelia for many years,i am that impressed with the findings and DOES show there ARE still unknown psych nuggets to be found after near 60 years,if one is inclined to donate much time and expense to discover them, but then follow that up with cleaning up and repairing the recordings, whether they're on tape,acetate or vinyl, and saving them for ever, and then follow up for information on those who created the music, the group,studio, engineer,producer etc.
All time consuming and financially costly,so supporting those who still do this is a must I feel,when said cd or vinyl comp is released,so it's great Top Sounds continue to give us this quality service!!
This comp is MUST HAVE for British psychedelic enthusiasts of late 60s/early 70s Recordings!
Hey Stuart, thank you again for another thorough and enthusiastic report on a Top Sounds release!
The CD has 4 extra tracks in fact, though one is an extra different version of 'Strange Day'.
Thank you again Stuart.