Chartbusters USA: Sunshine Pop [CD]

Another amazing selection from Ace in the series Chartbusters USA, as always with any product from Ace, it's hard to find anything to say against what's on offer here, sound quality is as always first class, the informative booklet crammed full of information which to me, is always vitally important. Let's also not forget the bargain price for such a first class selection. The cd contains a mix of well known hits (Turtles, Beach Boys, Mamas and Papas, Lovin' Spoonful), but often with compiliations like this, it's the lesser known tracks that stand out. The Don & The Goodtimes track I Could Be So Good For You, surprisingly, only a number 56 hit, a very commercial sound. The track by The Peppermint Rainbow, Don't Wake Me Up In The Morning Michael, typically of the sound of 1969, and you can almost imagine Tony Blackburn playing this. The under-rated Young Rascals feature with the follow up to Groovin' with A Girl Like You, in my own humble opinion, a better track. The Association feature with Time For Livin', interestingly, a bigger here than in the US. The booklet makes an interesting comment regarding The Mamas & Papas track I Saw Her Again, how many of you like me who have heard and loved this track for years didn't know that there is actually an error by Denny Doherty who starts to sing a little too early, but it's kept on. The track by The Forum, The River Is Wide, much played on Radio Caroline, but sadly not a hit. The family group The Cowsills feature with The Rain, The Park And Other Things. Played on the very early Radio 1, a US number one, but here, nothing. For me, the stand out track on the whole album is by another under rated group in the UK, The Tokens. Adapted from an advert for Clairol shampoo, She Lets Her Hair Down. If any one track from the genre Sunshine Pop simply sums up the whole sixties period, it is this one. A turntable hit here in the UK when first released in 1969, and again when re-issued in 1971. Superb harmonies from The Tokens. Marks out of 5 for this cd?, I'd give it 12, it's that good. Let's hope for more in this series soon.

I have got all apart from one of the releases in the Chartbusters USA series so far. All have had a great selection of tracks focusing on American hits, most of which did little or nothing in the UK. This release is no exception. This release concentrates on the period 1966-69, and features well produced, feelgood songs with good production and harmonies, brilliant tracks and artists whom I have never previously heard much if anything of e.g. the superbly named Peppermint Rainbow, The Sunshine Company, The Neon Philharmonic.

My own personal favourite on this release is The Tokens "She Let's Her Hair Down" from 1969 which I immediately liked on first listening - great song with good harmonies and interesting key changes.

You can pretty much take for granted that the tracks featured any Ace release have been sourced from the best quality recordings with superb mastering throughout.

My only criticism is that The Lemon Pipers' "Green Tambourine" which is here is duplicated from volume 1 of the series.

Hopefully, there is still a long way to go with this series. I look forward to future releases...

Excellent compilation, nice mix of obscure and well known tracks. If you like this genre, you need this comp.