UNTIL 1965, The Animals were arguably only topped by The Rolling Stones as the raunchiest and most popular R&B band in the country.

Then came the big split. Keyboard wizard Alan Price couldn't take flying any more and quit. The band then split with their producer, Mickie Most. In late 1965, they left EMI and signed for Decca and this 18-track offering - plus four bonus tracks by The Alan Price Rhythm And Blues Combo - comprises the output for their new label until 1966. It also features four rare tracks originally recorded as demos before The Animals hit the big time in 1964. Eric Burdon had one of the finest white blues voices in the world and it is showcased here on numbers such as I Put A Spell On You, See See Rider and Mama Told Me Not To Come. All get the raw, raucous Geordie treatment. For his part Price does justice to John Lee Hooker's infectious Boom Boom and McDane's harmonica-driven Pretty Thing. Animals magic - a must for serious R&B fans.

Updated: 09:43 Thursday, September 04, 2003