"The Great Lost Kinks Album" is a 1973 LP by the English rock band The Kinks. This uncommon and unauthorized collection was released by Reprise Records, with whom The Kinks had not renewed their contract. It encompasses a diverse range of material from a seven-year period (1966-1973).
The album includes songs not previously available on any Kinks LP. These rare tracks consist of singles, B-sides, and other rarities, making it a precious treasure for fans and collectors. However, due to legal reasons and disputes between the band and the record company, the album was withdrawn shortly after its release; hence, it acquired a somewhat legendary status among fans.
Ray Davies, the group's primary songwriter, later attained rights to these songs and several were re-released on later Kinks albums or compilations. For instance, tracks such as "Till Death Us Do Part," "Groovy Movies," and "There Is No Life Without Love" resurfaced on other albums or collections. However, the original album, due to its limited run, remains a collector's item.
Despite the tumultuous history, "The Great Lost Kinks Album" is filled with overlooked gems from the band's mid-to-late '60s period, further displaying The Kinks' experimental ethos and intricate songcraft in rock and roll music.
