Fronted by lead guitarist/keyboardist/lead vocalist Jeff Christie, Leeds based mod rockers The Outer Limits released three singles, one in two versions, during the band’s short lifespan.

Cherry Red Records, UK, has gathered these single sides supplemented by no less than thirty bonus tracks in a new two disc anthology, issued on the label’s Strawberry Records imprint.

‘Just One More Chance’ opens with the pop soul single “When The Work Is Through” which was originally included on an incredibly rare 1965 Leeds Students Charity Rag flexidisc. The snappy pop rock tune, co-written by Christie, showcases his vocal talents, joined by bandmates Gerry Layton (guitar, saxophone), Stan Drogie (drums, backing vocals) and Gerry Smith (bass, backing vocals), with horns adding punch to the performance. The single side is followed by fourteen previously unreleased demos from Christie’s personal vaults. These pop rock sides, all penned by Christie, document the instrumental and vocal harmony talents of The Outer Limits. The anthology’s title track is an organ driven melodic piece of soul tinged psychedelic pop which failed to chart despite its commercial accessibility and appeal. The single’s b-side “Help Me Please” is an uptempo slice of freakbeat, with an insistent, melodic beat. Disc one closes with the Instant Records version of the keyboard driven psychedelic pop gem “Great Train Robbery” which failed to chart when released in September 1968.

Disc two begins with the Immediate Records version of “Great Train Robbery” with a run time forty seconds longer thanks to the sound effects introduction. Released in April 1968, the single likewise made no impression on the charts. Both versions of “Great Train Robbery” featured the same b-side, the melodic keyboard driven pop rocker “Sweet Freedom” with its gorgeous vocal harmonies by the band. The disc and set close with sixteen tracks taken from ‘Floored Masters-Past Imperfect’ a 2008 compilation credited to Jeff Christie and The Outer Limits. Highlights include “Stop” with its gorgeous piano interludes by Christie, “Paper Jake” with its heavy groove, insistent riff and more gorgeous vocal harmonies, “Epitaph For A Non Entity” a ballad with delicate guitar figures by Christie, and “Run For Cover” a melodic pop rocker with jangling guitars and yet more tasty vocal harmonies.

‘Just One More Chance: The Anthology 1965-1968’ comes in a tri-fold digipak. The set has a nicely illustrated sixteen page booklet, with band, single issue artwork, and memorabilia related photos as well as an extensive essay by Lois Wilson. The Outer Limits sound crisp and clean thanks to mastering by Simon Murphy. The set will appeal to fans of mod rock and pop psych music as well as 1960s rock in general.

Kevin Rathert

The Outer Limits ‘Just One More Chance: The Anthology 1965-1968’ (Cherry Red Records 2025)