As Mainstream Records’ founder, producer, and top dog, Bob Shad was mostly a man of jazz and R&B. But in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, he was also a cheerleader for the psychedelic rock revolution.

Shad continued releasing jazz records alongside the rockers, and for better or worse, he would hold his young psychedelic soldiers to the same standard as jazzers when it came to recording. Most of The label’s subsequent rock releases after the Amboy Duke's '68 release of Journey to the Center of the Mind would be exponentially more successful artistically than they were commercially, but that didn’t slow Shad’s pace. 

Even if they didn’t set the charts aflame, a number of Mainstream rock acts that slid beneath the sales radar still earned some high-profile reviews in publications like Billboard and Cash Box, as well as radio play on some key stations around the country. They just weren’t able to ratchet the momentum up to the breaking point like Big Brother or The Amboy Dukes. But when you add it all up, the label’s batting average with rock was actually pretty good. Between 1967 and 1971, Mainstream released albums by about 25 rock artists, and two of those bands gained national renown. Most major labels would consider two hits out of 25 to be a success.

Shad's passion translated into a legacy loaded with treasures of all kinds. The Mainstream story has been celebrated with compilations of cuts from the jazz, funk, rock, and soul sides of the label. But this collection is the most immersive journey into Mainstream’s psychedelic years that’s ever been offered. In the words of The Amboy Dukes, “Come along if you care / Come along if you dare.”

1. The Amboy Dukes - self titled (stereo)

Baby Please Don’t Go • I Feel Free • Young Love • Psalms of Aftermath • Colors • Let’s Go Get Stoned • Down on Philips Escalator • The Lovely Lady • Night Time • It’s Not True • Gimme Love

2. Tangerine Zoo - self titled (mono)

Gloria • Trip To The Zoo • Please Don’t Set Me Free • Nature’s Children • The Flight • Mommy and Daddy • Symphonic Psyche • Crystalescent Heaven • One More Heartache

3. Jelly Bean Bandits - self titled (stereo)

Country Woman • Generation • Poor Precious Dreams • Another August Revisited • Going Nowhere • Happiness Girl • Goodtime Feeling • September Rain • Neon River • Plastic Soldiers • Say Mann •Tapestries

4. The Superfine Dandelion - self titled (stereo)

People In The Street • Crazy Town • My Place • Day And Night • Shameful Lady • Janie’s Tomb • It's Raining • Don't Try To Call Me • The Other Sidewalk • What's The Hurry

5. The Amboy Dukes - Journey to the Center of The Mind (stereo)

Mississippi Murderer • Surrender To Your Kings • Flight Of The Byrd • Scottish Tea • Dr. Slingshot • Journey To The Center Of The Mind • Ivory Castles • Why Is A Carrot More Orange Than An Orange • Missionary Mary • Death Is Life • Saint Philips Friend • I’ll Prove I’m Right • Conclusion

6. The Tiffany Shade - self titled (stereo)

An Older Man • Sam • Jaguar City Blues • Very Grand Love • Softly To Me • No Reality • One Good Question • A Quiet Revolution • Not Worth The Pain

7. Ellie Pop - self titled (stereo)

Seven North Frederick • Winner Loser • Can't Be Love • Remembering (Sunnybrook) • Seems I've Changed • Caught In The Rain • Oh! My Friend • Some Time Ago • No Thanks Mr. Mann • Watcha Gonna Do

8. December's Children - self titled (stereo)

Trilogy (I 2:30 Casino, II In Between A Dream, III Lady of the Garden) • Sweet Talkin’ Woman • Jane’s Song (The Slow One) • Hide The Water • Afternoon • Slow It Down • Too Early To Be Late • Last Monday Night • Back Road Rider • Livin’ (Way Too Fast)

9. The Orient Express - self titled (stereo)

Fruit Of The Desert • Dance For Me • Layla • Birds Of India • Train To Bombay • Caravan Of Silk • Azaar • For A Moment • Impulse (42 Drums) • A Little Star • Cobra Fever

10. Nucleus - self titled (stereo)

Jenny Wake Up • All About Me and The Spidery Bass • Judgement Day • Lost and Found • Share Your Colour • Communication