The 5th Dimension could hardly be called un-anthologized. During their '70s peak, budget-line LPs flooded the bins and, back in 1986, the fledgling Rhino Records devoted one of its first compilations to a double LP called Anthology 1967-1973. During the digital era, the group's studio albums popped up in various forms from Buddha, Collectors' Choice Music, and Raven,
while Arista released a variety of compilations -- the best being 2004's The Ultimate 5th Dimension -- before the catalog leapfrogged into the domain of Sony, which then issued a double-disc set called The Essential 5th Dimension in 2011. Even with this considerable catalog, Real Gone's 2016 triple-disc The Complete Soul City/Bell Singles 1966-1975 fills a void, as it anthologizes the A- and B-sides of everything the group released on Soul City and Bell, including four rarely anthologized early sides by their early incarnation, the Versatiles.
These early tracks bear a considerable grooving Motown influence and their very presence winds up illustrating how once the hits started coming for the 5th Dimension, they wound up stripping away any danceable rhythms.
Some of these funky beats came back when they were closing their run at Bell -- the B-side "My Song" hits surprisingly hard, "No Love in the Room" has a nice TV theme gloss -- but generally, the 5th Dimension stuck to the middle of the road throughout their time at the top, something that the big hits always suggest.
Most listeners will be satisfied with a leaner collection, one that leans on the AM pop singles, but this deep dive shows the consummate showbiz skill of the group and its producers, a team that always knew how to play toward the post-hippie, post-Motown mainstream of the Age of Aquarius and beyond. (Stephen Thomas Erlewine, allmusic.com)
For me maybe the best compilation ever by the band. We all know the 5th Dimension and more words not needed. And for newbies of the band this is a fine thing because here is everything what describes the sound of the band. Have fun. (Frank)
Flac
mp3@320
I was thrilled to find this exceptional share. Thank you so much
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few more posts from last january that I would like to listen to if possible. Please no hurry to post them.
ReplyDeleteDana Gillespie
Justin Heathcliff
Wild Silk
Monatanas
Evie Sands
Uzi & The Styles
Your blog is amazing and I love having the opportunity to hear new music that I missed when it was first released. Thank you
Hello wkc,
Deletei will upload your requests in a few hours, it needs time because there are a lot of other requests after this two weeks offline. But i will not forget it.
Frank
Thank you so much for sharing the new links.
ReplyDeleteIt's my pleasure.
DeleteCheers
Frank
I was thrilled to find this as well. Gotta lotta love for this group and this is a great collection.. so Thank You! A fabulous combination of the right voices in harmony with amazing arrangements. Great pop stuff.. unique, memorable! Can't think of anyone similar of their caliber. For many years, for whatever reasons, they did not have a representative overview other than their Greatest Hits.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the Password?
ReplyDeleteHello Anthony,
Deletedon't be angry about my words but i am really tired to answer this question because it is very easy to find on the blog site if people open their eyes. And a lot people ask again and again for the password. The password is: SB1
Greetings
Frank