California Dreamin’ by John & Michelle Phillips (The Mamas and the Papas) is one of the greatest songs in music history. Written in 1963 during a freezing New York winter, it reflected Michelle’s longing for the sunny warmth of California.

The first recording featured singer Barry McGuire, with the two Phillips singing backing vocals. In 1965, they recorded the song themselves – and it became their big hit. Since then, it has been covered hundreds of times, including by The Beach Boys, George Benson, and Wes Montgomery.

One of my absolute favorite versions comes from Eddie Hazel, the legendary P-Funk guitarist, who in 1977 delivered an incredible interpretation on his only solo album Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs: P-Funk meets psychedelic rock – a brilliant album with one of the best California Dreamin’ renditions ever.