Don Cooper, like his recently rediscovered folkie counterpart Sixto Rodriguez, is a clear cut casualty of the folk-rock boom of the early 70's. While the Carole Kings, James Taylors, and Joni Mitchells of the world were out in the public spotlight collecting gold records like Pogs, Cooper was languishing in utter obscurity and desperately churning out pitch-perfect folk-psych jams in a fruitless quest for a hit. Unlike Rodriguez, who has experienced an enthusiastic revival of interest in recent years (due in part to the cult status of his Dennis Coffey-produced 1970 album Cold Fact), Cooper's legacy has largely been left to crate-digging sample-seekers like Andy Votel and the crew at Cherry Red Records. It's truly a shame, as Cooper packed as much lyrical punch as any early-70's folkie, and the loose funk rhythms that populate his recordings are prime sampling material. This best-of compilation functions as a definitive overview of a flower power byproduct left in the cold by a supersaturated folk-rock market with little time or cash for eccentrics like Cooper. Don't let his lack of success deter you though, these tracks are total ear candy. "Blueberry Pickin'" sounds like the Fab Four with more folk and more funk, "Captain Spangles Crystal Song" is the sound of Southern soul perverted by a few golden years of peace, love, and dope, and "Howlin' At The Moon" is a straight-up groover of impressive magnitude.
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