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Whilst
it could never lay claim to being a front-runner of the
British psychedelic movement, President Records was nonetheless
quick to respond to changing musical tastes when it was
launched into the heady midst of swinging London in 1966.
In keeping with other independents at the time, President's
autonomy allowed it to experiment freely with new artists
and saw the label expand into areas which nowadays might
be termed Psych Pop. And whilst it's true that President's
major successes both at home and abroad were with artists
like the Equals, Dorothy Squires and the Symbols, many
of its more left-field releases are now beginning to enjoy
the recognition which eluded them first time around.
Currently enjoying something of a revival on the collectors'
circuit, UK Psych Pop has never been more popular. Eagerly
awaited by fans of the genre, Sometimes I Wonder has been
carefully compiled with collectors in mind and draws together
the cream of President's Psych Pop recordings, most of
which have never been released on CD up until now. Comprising
both single cuts and rare album tracks Sometimes I Wonder
takes the listener on a magical mystery tour through the
President vaults, via its offshoots Jayboy and Gemini.
Here then are 27 gems by the likes of the Explosion, Rhubarb
Rhubarb, Chords Five, Pure Gold, Barbara Ruskin, the Exception,
Rick Price & Mike Sheridan, all ranging in eccentricity
from the melodic day-tripper pop of the Symbols' Again
to the all-out psychotic reaction that is the She Trinity's
Climb That Tree.
Expertly compiled by David Wells and bursting with rare
memorabilia and photographs, Sometimes I Wonder is essential
listening for all Psych Pop devotees.
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