NOT as famous as the Merseybeat scene, Birmingham in the 1960's had its own thriving hive of beat groups. This 50-track double disc set includes many of the stars from that era such as The Moody Blues, Spencer Davis Group and The Move, as well as early forays from future stars of the following decade including ELO, Fairport Convention, Black Sabbath and Slade.

Packing far more punch than the somewhat insipid Merseybeat bands, The Brumbeat groups offered a sound closer to the garage punk stylings of The Yardbirds and The Kinks. As a result, this collection beats its companion Liverpool collection hands down.

*** Try it!