Beach Boys/Smile Unreleased 1988 mono mixes Compilation by Mark Linnett Edition

Brian Wilson’s follow-up to Pet Sounds, SMiLE, has long been legendary as one of rock’s most famous “missing albums.” While there are now official releases, such as the Brian version and SMiLE SESSIONS, the album was shrouded in mystery until it was unclear whether it was even completed. While a vast amount of recording material remained, it never reached the stage of being compiled into an album. The Beach Boys attempted to release Smile several times, only to have the project repeatedly fail. With the advent of the CD era, they began work on the release of Smile more seriously in 1988. They commissioned producer Mark Linett, who operated one of the few studios capable of digital editing at the time, to edit Smile. Linett was entrusted with Smile’s vast recordings, hoping that digital editing would allow them to complete the Smile project Brian had abandoned in 1967. In 2025, digital editing is now easily accessible to anyone using free software downloaded from the internet, but in 1988, the technology was incredibly cutting-edge and the equipment was massive. Using this, Lynette was able to create her own version of Smile in 1988. However, due to the timing of Brian’s first solo album, it wasn’t released. Instead, it was released in small doses, such as as a bonus track on a 1990 Beach Boys album two-in-one and in the 1993 “GOOD VIBRATIONS (Thirty Years Of The Beach Boys)” box set. Countless enthusiasts were able to experience Lynette’s version of Smile through these releases. However, the entire Lynette version of Smile was leaked, and the nostalgic 1993 VIGOTONE version of Smile was based on it. Although many Smile bootlegs had been produced prior to this, “Can’t Wait Too Long,” a recording unrelated to Smile, somehow ended up on a DAT set, and for a time, it was mistakenly thought to be from the Smile era. It’s a fond memory now. This Smile release was recorded directly from the leaked DAT master of the original linen version of Smile, the basis for this classic album. Since the original soundtrack was reused across various Smile products starting with the VIGOTONE release, the versions of each song are all familiar, but the sound quality is exceptionally clear. Listening to this new release, it’s a stark reminder that even the VIGOTONE version, which so impressed me back then, couldn’t escape the degradation caused by repeated cassette dubbing from the linen source. While the original was digitally edited, the mix is a surprisingly milder mono sound compared to 21st-century digital versions, a major draw. Beach Boys enthusiasts who appreciated the “Good Vibrations” sessions and other recordings will be especially impressed by the crystal-clear sound quality of this release. It’s still astonishing to see that the pre-VIGOTONE Kinney-made Smile, commonly known as the “T 2580,” was recorded with quality comparable to this recording. While some tracks feature different takes and mixes, and it’s clear that the Smile recordings were obtained through a different route than the Lynette recordings, it’s hard not to appreciate Kinney’s work. This version of Smile, so beloved by so many, has been given an unexpected, ultra-clear upgrade from the master DAT in 2025. Enjoy the “nostalgic Smile” to your heart’s content with fully official-level sound quality! Unreleased 1988 mono mixes SMiLE compilation by Mark Linnett. (67:00) 01. Our Prayer 02. Heroes And Villains (Sections) 03. Wonderful (version 1) 04. Do You Like Worms 05. Cabin Essence 06. Child Is Father To The Man 07. The Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine 08. Good Vibrations #1 09. Good Vibrations #2 10. Vega-Tables 11. Wind Chimes 12. The Elements Part 1: Fire 13. Cool Cool Water (version 2) 14. Surf’s Up (Track Only) 15. Surf’s Up (Piano Demo) 16. Look 17. Holidays 18. George Fell Into His French Horn 19. Good Vibrations #3 20. Good Vibrations #421. Good Vibrations #5 22. Can’t Wait Too Long