Svenska Shakers / Various

Svenska Shakers / Various

For the first time outside Sweden, over it's two discs, Svenska Shakers collects 41 choice cuts from the period when Sweden's world-class bands beat the musical exports at their own game. The R&B crunchers, mod grooves, freakbeat and psych-pop featured demonstrate that Sweden more than came up with the goods between 1964 and 1968. Svenska Shakers takes it's lead from the ground-breaking 1984 Swedish compilation album Searchin' For Shakes, and builds from it by including five of the original Searchin' For Shakes' most ripping tracks. Highlights of the essential Svenska Shakers include the Namelosers' lacerating 'Do-Ao'; Annaabee-Nox's feedback-dominated, free-form freakout take on The Who's 'The Kids Are Alright'; The Shakers' stylish version of the non-Rolling Stones Keith Richard co-write 'All I Want Is My Baby'; Tages' soaring 1968 psych-pop gem 'Fantasy Island'; two tracks by Bamboo, whose vocalist Mikael Rickfors went on to join The Hollies; The Cheers' extraordinary deconstruction of Jefferson Airplane's 'Somebody To Love'; three tracks by the esoteric pop-art band Science Poption whose singer/guitarist Claus Dieden became a Swedish radio personality. Sweden was the home of some of the world's most vital bands. This stunning compilation is rounded off with a fully illustrated booklet and comprehensive liner notes. Anyone into the best of Sixties music needs Svenska Shakers.