Various Stanley & Wiggs Present Incident At A Free Festival (2-LP)

(Ace Records) 20 tracks

Compiled once again by Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs (Saint Etienne), this sampler pays homage to the afternoon slots at Deeply Vale, Bickershaw, Krumlin, Weeley and Plumpton - festivals of the early 70s that didn't reach the columns. Waking up the mellow hippies and appealing to both the sleazy bikers and the girls in knee-high boots.

And the best way to do that was with volume, riffs and percussion. There's an air of menace and illicit thrills in the tracks by Andwella, Stack Waddy and Leaf Hound. Bigger names include the incendiary Edgar Broughton Band and the kings of festival freak-out Hawkwind. "Tomorrow Night" by Atomic Rooster or "Back Street Luv" by Curved Air. Plus Pink Fairies, May Blitz, Deep Purple and many more. The sounds were heavy and often unconventional, with a distinct smell of danger.

Clap your hands, stomp your feet, keep your wits about you. Put on your wellies in the living room and turn up the amp.