To celebrate its 100th release, reissue label released its most impressively deluxe set to date. Compiling over 120 songs spread across five discs, is a trove of treasures by the biggest names of the era like and , cult heroes like , and a multitude of acts so obscure that only the most dedicated follower of psychedelic fashion might recognize them. has made a career out of digging up these kinds of gems, and the label does a knockout job here, not only showcasing unheard bands but also songs that had never seen the light of day. What that means is that a trawl through the set list will get you choice psychedelic cuts like ' "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" or ' "Walking Through My Dreams," but also previously unheard tracks like 's rampaging cover of ' "Why" or 's brilliant freakbeat rocker "Life Does Not Seem What It Seems" In between these two poles are an almost breathtaking amount of wonders that span the range of psych made during those three years. A quick spin will uncover twee toytown pop ( 's "I Know She Believes"), rippling hard psych ( 's doomy "World War III"), trippy ballads (" 's "Floating"), proto-bubblegum ( 's "Flying Machine"), and songs that range from happily weird ("Jabberwock" by ) to achingly pretty ("Green" by ). The choices are stellar with nary a duff track in sight. It feels like the brains behind the label did everything right. The bigger-name bands are represented by lesser-known tracks that fit the bill perfectly -- 's "Armenia City in the Sky'' is an inspired pick, as is "That Man" by . The midrange bands are represented by deeper cuts -- 's "Have Some More Tea" proves they have more up their sleeve than "My Friend Jack." The inclusion of acts not often thought of as psychedelic like or shows just how far the sound spread; in fact, 's "Spider" is one of the set's oddball highlights. Add to these impressive feats of compilation a feeling that this isn't a rehash of any of the hundreds of other collections like it that have sprung up since the early '80s. It feels so perfectly researched and presented that it's as close to definitive as one could hope. Indeed, any student of the era, whether advanced or a beginner, will get lost listening to the music and admiring the exhaustively researched liner notes. Anywhere one might drop in, there's going to be a song that's a total jam, a weird delight, or a welcome discovery. Sometimes all three at once, like 's "A Woman of Distinction" or "World in My Head" by . The listing could go on, the extolling of virtues could continue, but the proof is in the pudding and is without a doubt top tier from conception to execution. ~ Tim Sendra