The Hep Stars - Like We Used To: The Anthology 1965-67 (2015)

UK collection from the Swedish legends. In the 1960 s, the Hep Stars were Sweden's biggest band - inspiring screams and Beatles-like devotion. For the first time outside Sweden, Like We Used To: The Anthology 1965-1967 collects them at their peak, from being one of the era's wildest bands - emphasized on the live tracks - to performers of affecting songs with a yearning atmosphere. The band's songwriter Benny Andersson later achieved global fame with ABBA and Like We Used to features classic early compositions, including the first-ever song he wrote. Also collected is a rare early collaboration with his future ABBA companion Björn Ulvaeus - the first song they wrote together. Tracks are taken direct from the master tapes as they were meant to be heard in the Sixties - in the original mono. There is no after-the-fact stereo. Exploring the original masters turned up versions of songs either not issued at the time or released in territories beyond Sweden, including three versions intended for, but not used for, English release.