CLASSIC SOUNDS REVISITED

With all the attention that’s been poured upon The Zombies in recent years, it’s refreshing to be reminded, occasionally, that that band was not the sum total of its members’ achievements. In fact, there’s probably a box set being planned right now, the long and winding story of all that happened next.

While we await (or, at least, dream of) that, however, Rod Argent’s subsequent career does come under a very welcome spotlight with the release of the hybrid CD/SACD In Deep, Nexus and Ring of Hands (Dutton Vocal-ion) — which is, as you’ve probably already guessed, a modern repackaging of three of Argent’s best-loved albums. Presented in the greatest sound quality that the digital era has yet mustered.

It’s a peculiar gathering in a way. (1970) was second album, was their fourth and their fifth. There’s no room for the band’s somewhat transitional self-titled debut; nor, more surprisingly, for the band’s biggest hit, “Hold Your Head Up,” which highlighted their third LP.