VA - The First Summer of Love: 45 Classic Hits from the Sixties [2CD] (1997)

This is a truly great 60's compilation album. All the tracks are original studio recordings as released at the time. Unlike many 60's compilations it includes US tracks as well as UK. The key to the style of music is in the title - The first summer of love. It represents much of the best music from that era with true Flower Power style (early psycedelia mixed with the developed 60's beat style delivered in 3 to 4 minutes each).

Although the brits are well represented, it is the addition of many of the absolute classic Flower Power US artists hits that make this such a great representation of the era. With 45 tracks on two discs it delivers a fantastic sweep of some of the best recordings you could ask for.

This compilation was not released through the high street record chains, it came via supermarkets in the 90's, which is why it's not so often seen.