Seven sunshine pop albums that deserve more love

Mark Eric - Midsummer’s Day Dream

Some rock historians say that the sunshine part of the sunshine pop term derives from California as a symbol of sunshine, happy times, and fun, something they connect both to the Beach Boys and the Mamas & The Papas. Possibly, and at the same time if you make that connection this album (1969) from Californian Eric exemplifies all that with some so well crafted pop tunes on this (concept) album that ties in both of the rock greats mentioned above. Not much was heard from Eric before or after this album.

Triste Janeiro - Meet Triste Janeiro

Brazilian Bossa Nova took the U.S. (and the world) by storm, but was by some critics considered as easy listening. This is quite debatable. It did have a solid influence on sunshine pop, which was perfectly exhibited on this sole album by Triste Janeiro.

Listening to this album today, it just might turn out to be the source from which so many lounge and downtempo artists are taking their cues. Still, this album remains relatively unknown beyond sunshine pop circles.

Wendy & Bonnie - Genesis

This album didn’t make many waves upon its release because it was pretty unconventional for its time. Wendy & Bonnie, or Flower sisters, were 17 and 13 when they recorded this album (1969). They originally recorded for a fledgling jazz label Skye.

It became a source of a serious cult following later on, and the reasons might lie in the oh-so-mature songwriting from the two sisters, their excellent dual harmonies, and some proto-acid jazz backing from the label musicians.