Soma Records Story, Vol. 2

Volume two in this series is Bright Lights, Big City!, another 16 track audiophile vinyl compilation of the more obscure but equally great records that came out on the Soma label in the mid '60s. One of the label's biggies -- the Castaways' "Liar Liar" -- is aboard, but equally grind-worthy are the High Spirits tackling "I Believe" and the title track, the Chancellors' "Little Latin Lupe Lu" and "I'm a Man," the Embermen's "Karen," the Four Wheels' "Central High Playmate" (insanely great Beach Boys cop), the Gestures' "Candlelight" and "It Seems To Me," and Jimmy Kaye & The Coachmen's offbeat take on "Gloria." Again, a lot of great, hidden music proving that there's more than one way to compile a label's best offerings. ~ Cub Koda