Hot Rocks - 1964 - 1971, The Rolling Stones - CD

2 CD Set - Remastered

The Rolling Stones – Hot Rocks 1964–1971

Artist: The Rolling Stones

Title: Hot Rocks 1964–1971

Format: 2-CD Compilation

Original Release Date: 1971 (Original LP) / Mid-1980s (First CD Pressings)

Label: ABKCO Records (Catalog: 66672)

Genre: Rock / Blues Rock / Psychedelic Rock

Background & Production Hot Rocks 1964–1971 is the most successful and enduring compilation in The Rolling Stones' history. Originally released by ABKCO (the company owned by their former manager Allen Klein) after the band moved to their own label, it captures the band's transition from R&B cover specialists to the "Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World." It covers the crucial Brian Jones era and the transition to Mick Taylor, documenting their peak creative output during the late 60s and early 70s.

Musical Composition & Style The collection is essentially a "Best of" the band's most iconic period, spanning their early British Invasion hits through their grittier, blues-drenched masterpieces.

• Disc 1: The Early Years: Tracks include "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," "Paint It, Black," "Under My Thumb," and "Ruby Tuesday." It focuses on the era of jangly guitars, sitars, and pop-sensibility.

• Disc 2: The Golden Era: Features the heavier, more complex tracks like "Gimme Shelter," "Sympathy for the Devil," "Midnight Rambler," and "Brown Sugar."

• The Rarities: The collection is famous for including the singles "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Honky Tonk Women," which were not originally included on their respective contemporary studio albums (Beggars Banquet and Let It Bleed).

Original CD & Collector Notes There is a massive divide between the various CD pressings of Hot Rocks that collectors care about deeply.

• The "London" West German Pressings (Pre-1986): These are the "Holy Grail" for audiophiles. Produced before ABKCO took full control of the mastering, these West German (PolyGram) discs feature unique "unfaded" versions of certain tracks and are prized for their superior, non-compressed sound.

• The 1986 ABKCO Digitally Remastered Version: The most common version found (Catalog: 66672). It features a "Digitally Remastered" banner on the cover. While widely available, it was criticized for using early digital noise reduction techniques.

• The 2002 DSD Remaster: These were released as Hybrid SACDs (playable on standard CD players) in cardboard digipaks. These are considered the best-sounding modern versions, as they utilized Direct Stream Digital technology to restore the original master tapes.

• Identification: Check the back of the jewel case. If it says "Digitally Remastered from original master recordings" with a 1986 date, it is the standard ABKCO version. If it is a thick "fatboy" jewel case, it is likely an earlier 80s pressing.

• • Keywords: Rolling Stones, Hot Rocks, 1964-1971, Original CD, ABKCO, 2-CD Set, Best Of, Gimme Shelter, Satisfaction, Rock Legends.

  • Collection Ideas: Essential Rock Compilations, 1960s British Invasion, Greatest Hits Collections, The ABKCO Era.

  • Related Artists: The Beatles, The Who, The Kinks, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton.

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MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve