20 Explosive Hits (1971) Vinyl LP • In the Summertime, Venus, The Letter, K-Tel

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Condition Details:

Still in ORIGINAL SHRINK-WRAP (opened), shrink has come off a little along opening edge. Vinyl plays with crackles and some clicks, especially during "Cry Like a Baby" (play-graded). Cover has a few creases near edges and light-scuffing along opening (front/back); discoloration with darker spots on back. Inner-sleeve is generic white. Spine has no text and mild wear. Minor shelf-wear along top/bottom-edge and corners; some wear to right side corners with small splits on each. Opening is crisp with signs of light use and divots. (Not a cut-out.)

Tracks:

1. In The Summertime (Mungo Jerry )
2. Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) (Edison Lighthouse )
3. O-O-H Child (Five Stairsteps )
4. Cry Like A Baby (Box Tops )
5. Traces (The Classics IV )
6. I Can See For Miles (The Who )
7. Tighter, Tighter (Alive 'N Kickin' )
8. The Rapper (The Jaggerz )
9. Ma Belle Amie (Tee-Set )
10. Elusive Butterfly (Bob Lind )
11. Venus (Shocking Blue )
12. Grazing In The Grass (Hugh Masekela )
13. Tracy (The Cuff Links )
14. Ball And Chain (Tommy James )
15. Maybe (The Three Degrees )
16. Going Up The Country (Canned Heat )
17. The Letter (Box Tops )
18. Church St. Soul Revival (Tommy James )
19. When We Get Married (The Intruders )
20. May I (Bill Deal & the Rondells )

About The Record:

20 Explosive Hits by Various Artists, is a classic early compilation that marked K-Tel's pioneering entry into the U.S. market with budget-priced collections of recent and recent-past hits, featuring full-length original versions without the edits common in later releases. This album stands out for gathering a diverse mix of late-1960s and early-1970s pop, rock, soul, and bubblegum tracks from artists like Mungo Jerry, Shocking Blue, The Box Tops, and The Who, capturing the vibrant and eclectic sound of the era in one accessible package. Fan-favorites and memorable inclusions highlight In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry, Venus by Shocking Blue, Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) by Edison Lighthouse, The Rapper by The Jaggerz, O-o-h Child by The Five Stairsteps, and The Letter by The Box Tops. Historically significant as one of the first U.S. K-Tel albums that helped popularize TV-advertised compilations, it offered great value with 20 tracks spanning genres and moods. Several of its featured singles were major hits, including In the Summertime (No. 3), Venus (No. 1), Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) (No. 5), The Rapper (No. 2), O-o-h Child (No. 8), The Letter (No. 1), Tighter, Tighter (No. 7), and Traces (No. 2).