IN July 1966, England had the greatest football team in the world. The same month, Messrs Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork, otherwise known as The Monkees, first appeared on our screens and radios.

At the time, no-one believed that a Bubblegum band of questionable musical talent would see out the Summer of Love. Yet, 50 years on, to all our surprise, The Monkees have delivered a brand new set, albeit only their 12th in half a century.

No, this is not some musty old compilation, but a spanking new set, with new songs. Well, mostly. This project has attracted several of the music world’s biggest and most iconic names. Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller have combined forces to donate Birth Of An Accidental Hipster. Meanwhile, XTC’s Andy Partridge has contributed the instantly likeable and jolly You Bring The Summer, and Weezer front man Rivers Cuomo provides She Makes Me Laugh.

From the vaults, an abandoned outtake, written and featuring Harry Nilsson, provides the standout title track. Another worthy inclusion is the Neil Diamond penned Love To Love, which features a lead vocal from the recently departed Davy Jones.

However, tread carefully, for much like the England football team, despite the goodwill and stellar support, the set is actually a bit patchy and lacks the urgency and unbridled joy of glories past.