Released 25/08/08. Wow! Here at Rev-Ola we’re proud to present this true undisputed classic of orchestrated, psych-tinged soft pop. The 5th Dimension are one of the most successful American bands of the late ‘60s. Hey, everybody knows their hit versions of ‘Up, Up And Away’ and ‘Aquarius’! However, in 1968 they were teamed up with producer Bones Howe and wunderkind composer/arranger/all-round bona fide musical genius beyond redoubt, Jimmy Webb, who presented them with a complex song cycle based on his own tumultuous relationship with his partner. Nestling between such dyed-in-the-wool classics as ‘Carpet Man’, ‘The Girls’ Song’, ‘The Worst That Could Happen’ (which all became hit singles for other artists) and the life-affirming title track (as covered by Dusty Springfield no less) are such lesser-spotted Webb gems as ‘Summer’s Daughter’ and ‘Paper Cup’. The whole cycle is linked with beautifully ornate pieces of orchestration, sitar flourishes and ethereal vocals. The contractual obligation inclusion of an earlier recording of The Beatles’ ‘Ticket To Ride’ was originally shoehorned into the middle of the running order but we’ve taken the liberty of shuffling it to the end so it no longer interrupts the flow of the cycle.
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