The fairly obscure psychedelic band Ultimate Spinach never tasted the full-blown mainstream success that came to some of their contemporaries, but they still have a cult following among aging hippies, record collectors, and adventurous music fans around the world. The Boston band (hyped, along with their labelmates The Beacon Street Union, as leading the "Bosstown Sound") released a pair of excellent albums in 1968: Ultimate Spinach and Behold & See. Their songs oozed with trippy arrangements, exotic instrumentation, and thought-provoking lyricism; group founders Ian Bruce-Douglas and Barbara Hudson hit on a unique sound that was perfect for the uncertain times. But they never really hit it big. Their third and final album was the result of an almost completely different band and a totally revamped, pop-friendly style. Regardless, Ultimate Spinach still put out some very compelling music, and the records are increasingly rare today, so this collection makes perfect sense. Don't miss "Mind Flowers," "Baroque #1," or the absolutely essential "(Ballad Of) The Hip Death Goddess." 

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