A follow-up to an inaugural box of 7” singles covering 1963-1966, this 18-disc sequel picks-up where the previous paused, and carries the Rolling Stones’ output of 45s up to the dawn of the 1970s, and the transition from founding guitarist Brian Jones to his successor, Mick Taylor.  The poster included- a buoyant, black-and-white shot of the five Stones, including a fresh-faced Taylor- is a nice addition, if curious, as most every picture sleeve in the bunch, and the cover shot, is one including Jones.  It’s not a point that detracts or deters at all from another terrific box of Rolling singles, but possibly, and hopefully, foreshadows more collections like this gem to come. 

The sonic quality of the vinyl for each single is pristine- the ‘wax’ is plenty sturdy and clean- with the labels and picture sleeves reproduced to match the originals.  The sleeves, themselves, are an upgrade from their original counterparts, these made instead of thick cardboard; the artwork naturally recalling an era not only of encroaching psychedelia for the Stones, but also when picture sleeves were as much artistic expression as sales tool. 

As for the songs, this was a seminal and abundant period in the songwriting evolution of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.  The A-sides are stocked with soon-to-be hits and classics, starting with “Paint It Black,” with the B-sides feature some of the Stones’ more elusive and obscure, including the 1971 Decca “Street Fighting Man” maxi-single, and non-LP cuts, “Long Long While,” “Who’s Driving Your Plane, and “Child of the Moon.”  The final in the collection- aesthetically and musically an outlier with this version-  is a more recent remix, double A-side of “Sympathy For The Devil,’ engineered by the Neptunes and Fat Boy Slim, respectively.

A handful of individual photos and a nicely compiled book of notes and credits wrap up this tidy box of treasures, and can only leave Stones fans quite happy, as well as hoping for another to continue the pattern established by these first two splendid sets.