THE PRETTY THINGS - Philippe DeBarge

In 1969, British R&B/psych cult heroes The Pretty Things were somewhat at loose ends. S.F. Sorrow, their innovative rock opera released the previous year, had flopped commercially, although Pete Townshend, then in the midst of creating Tommy, had certainly been taking notes. Into this picture stepped a wealthy young Frenchman, Philippe DeBarge, who commissioned the group to record a new album--with him on lead vocals. Strange but true. The Pretties came up with a batch of sterling psychedelic gems, and the end result, never released at the time, has now seen the light of day. While not sounding as strong as Pretty Things frontman Phil May, DeBarge's raspy voice suits the material just fine. Detailed liner notes courtesy of Mike Stax, publisher of essential garage-psych 'zine Ugly Things, whose offshoot label is responsible for this disc's release.