Album Review:

The final release of the surf label Del-Fi Records, Big Surf Hits was just that - a compilation of tunes that had appeared on previous issues. Only released in mono, original copies are incredibly scarce. The running order on both the front and back cover is incorrect.

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The Lively Ones' 'Surf Rider' from Surf Rider is a strong track to kicks off the album. 'Hillbillie Surf' is borrowed from Surf Drums and is reminiscent of 'Old Smokey.' Bruce Johnston's version of 'Green Onions' from Surfers' Pajama Party are credited to the Surf Stompers. Both Dave Myers and the Surftones' 'Moment of Truth' and 'Church Key' are solid inclusions. Both originate from Hangin' Twenty. 'Wipe Out' and 'Blue Surf' were pulled from the Impacts' Wipe Out album. The brassy 'Undertrow' and latin-laden 'Watermelon Man' stem from Surfin' South of the Border. 'Bullwinkle Part II' came from the Centurians' extremely rare version of Surfer's Pajama Party. Johnston's 'Original Surfers' Stomp' closes out the record.

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For all it's quirks, Big Surf Hits is a great compilation.