Essential 5th Dimension

Liner Note Author: Mike Ragogna.
Recording information: A&R Studios, New York, NY (11/1966-??/1967); Sound Recorders, Hollywood, CA (11/1966-??/1967); United Recording, Las Vegas, NV (11/1966-??/1967); Wally Heider Recording, Hollywood, CA (11/1966-??/1967); Western Recorders, Hollywood, CA (11/1966-??/1967); A&R Studios, New York, NY (1967); Sound Recorders, Hollywood, CA (1967); United Recording, Las Vegas, NV (1967); Wally Heider Recording, Hollywood, CA (1967); Western Recorders, Hollywood, CA (1967); A&R Studios, New York, NY (1968); Sound Recorders, Hollywood, CA (1968); United Recording, Las Vegas, NV (1968); Wally Heider Recording, Hollywood, CA (1968); Western Recorders, Hollywood, CA (1968); A&R Studios, New York, NY (1969); Sound Recorders, Hollywood, CA (1969); United Recording, Las Vegas, NV (1969); Wally Heider Recording, Hollywood, CA (1969); Western Recorders, Hollywood, CA (1969); A&R Studios, New York, NY (1969-1973); Sound Recorders, Hollywood, CA (1969-1973); United Recording, Las Vegas, NV (1969-1973); Wally Heider Recording, Hollywood, CA (1969-1973); Western Recorders, Hollywood, CA (1969-1973).
Photographers: Michael Ochs; Glenn A. Baker.
With their smooth blend of upbeat soul and pure sunshine pop, the 5th Dimension had a bright run of hits in the late '60s for Johnny Rivers' Soul City record label, including 1967's "Up-Up and Away," 1969's "Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In," and a trio of fine covers of Laura Nyro songs with 1968's "Stoned Soul Picnic" and "Sweet Blindness" and 1969's "Wedding Bell Blues." Rivers sold Soul City Records to Bell Records in 1970 and the group's recording contract transferred to Bell in the deal, and while the 5th Dimension continued to track quality material, the hits began to dry up -- they did release yet another fine Nyro song, "Save the Country," in 1970. This two-disc, 36-track set collects the best sides from the group's Soul City and Bell Records run, a period spanning 1967 to 1975. ~ Steve Leggett