ULTIMATE

The Rascals: Gene Cornish (vocals, guitar, bass); Felix Cavaliere (vocals, keyboards); Eddie Brigati (vocals, percussion); Dino Danelli (drums). Released towards the beginning of the CD era, way back in 1986, THE ULTIMATE RASCALS has a few flaws--some of the tracks are in ping-pongy fake stereo instead of as-nature-intended mono--but it's still about as good a single-disc (Young) Rascals anthology as you're likely to find. Staring with their classic first single "I Ain't Gonna Eat My Heart Out No More" and continuing through 19 other jazz-inflected slices of blue-eyed soul, THE ULTIMATE RASCALS charts a course from the hyper rock of "Good Lovin'" through the suave sophistication of "Groovin'" and "How Can I Be Sure" to the band's more complex and artsy later work, like "A Ray of Hope," which features Alice Coltrane. Excellent stuff, and possibly the only Rascals album you'll need.

• Genre: Pop
• Format: CD
• Released: 10/25/1990