Sour Milk Sea - The Early Collection

Whether you’re an obsessive Beatles completist or someone who appreciates vintage rock ‘n’ roll, Sour Milk Sea—The Early Collection is a perfect compilation for Jackie Lomax fans and newcomers alike. His opening cover of The Fab Four’s “Come Together” may not be the definitive version, but it’s a lot smoother than Aerosmith’s. The title track is the real gem here. Written and produced by George Harrison in 1969, the hard-grooving tune features Lomax singing soulfully over Harrison on rhythm guitar, Ringo Starr on drums, Paul McCartney on bass, and Eric Clapton on lead guitar. “Peaches and Cream” is another standout song that ingeniously blends baroque pop with hints of psychedelic garage rock played over a bluesy shuffle, sounding a bit like early Buffalo Springfield—though the barbed melody here is what will latch onto your frontal lobe. “Genuine Imitation Life” is a gorgeous masterwork that finds Lomax singing whimsical fairy-tale imagery over pillowy string arrangements and a sunny-sounding horn section, resulting in a beautifully trippy ballad. He also gives Bo Diddley's “Who Do You Love?” a sultry vibe.