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A new anthology called Almost Summer holds together remarkably well, especially when you consider that most of its tracks were recorded for other projects and that its two sides add up to a classic case of vinyl schizophrenia. Besides the pleasant title cut, which three Beach Boys co-wrote in the style of their early hits, side one features a respectable but unexceptional cover of the Lovin’ Spoonful’s classic “Summer in the City”; a musical clone of the Beach Boys’ “It’s O.K.”‘ Mike Love’s “Sad, Sad Summer,” which successfully mines the same emotions covered by the vintage “See You in September” and “Sealed with a Kiss”; and two other tunes. On the predominantly instrumental flip, which is highlighted by Charles Lloyd’s bright, expansive “Island Girl,” you’ll find five lively jazz- and R&B-tinged tracks by Fresh, High Inergy, and others.
By Jeff Burger 