The 5th Dimension - The Ultimate 5th Dimension

The 5th Dimension were just about the most successful harmony group of the 1960s and The Ultimate 5th Dimension is easily the most comprehensive single-disc collection on the market. It documents the heyday of the group, mostly their late-'60s tenure with Johnny Rivers' Soul City label and a few tracks from their '70s stay at Bell, and it focuses on their singles -- their hit singles, that is. Each of the 20 songs here (the 21st track is a previously unreleased song, "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye") was a Top 35 hit or better. "Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In" and "Wedding Bell Blues" were their number one smashes; they also had four more Top Ten hits. Even more importantly, they had so many great songs. Their sunny harmonies and lush arrangements gave songs like Laura Nyro's "Sweet Blindness," Jimmy Webb's "Paper Cup," and Neil Sedaka's "Workin' on a Groovy Thing" a light, happy feel that makes them the very definition of "good-time oldies." The disc features liner notes with new interviews with original members of The 5th Dimension, rare photos, and improved sound and is compiled by the group's producer, Bones Howe. This collection is a perfect introduction to the group and should be on every pop music fan's wish list. Even if you already have all their first five albums (which Buddha so graciously reissued before going belly-up and BMG Heritage has kept in print), you will want this disc, since it distills their career into about an hour or so of pure, heavenly gold. ~ Tim Sendra, All Music Guide

Name Credits Al Casey Guitar, Sounds Andrew White Bass Artie Butler Piano Bill Holman Arranger, String Arrangements, Horn Arrangements Bill Holman Strings & Brass Performer Billy Davis, Jr. Soloist, Vocals Bob Alcivar Conductor, Arranger, Vocal Arrangement Bob Edmondson Trombone Bob Irwin Mastering Bones Howe Engineer, Producer, Compilation, Arranger Bud Brisbois Trumpet Catherine Gotthoffer Harp Chuck Findley Trumpet Dennis Budimir Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Banjo, Piano Fred Tackett Guitar Gary Coleman Mallets, Percussion Gary Illingworth Organ, Piano (Electric), Piano Hal Blaine Percussion, Rhythm Direction, Drums Isaiah Jones Piano Jack Arnold Mallets Jimmy Rowles Keyboards, Piano Jimmy Webb Conductor, Arranger, Keyboards Joe Osborn Guitar, Bass John Engstead Photography John Hudson Product Manager Johnny Rivers Producer Kip Smith Mastering Lanny Morgan Flute, Saxophone Larry Bunker Marimba, Mallets, Temple Blocks, Conga, Bells, Vibraphone, Percussion Larry Knechtel Piano, Piano (Electric), Organ, Keyboards, Tack Piano Lew McCreary Trombone Louie Shelton Guitar Marc Gordon Producer Marilyn McCoo Vocals, Soloist Marty Paich String Arrangements, Horn Arrangements Mathieu Bitton Art Direction, Design Michael Omartian Piano (Electric), Piano Mike Anthony Guitar Mike Deasy Sr. Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar Mike Melvoin Piano (Electric) Montego Joe Conga Nat Brandwynne Orchestra Performer Ollie Mitchell Trumpet Pete Christlieb Flute, Saxophone Pete Jolly Keyboards Ray Pohlman Guitar, Bass, Rhythm Arrangements Ray Triscari Trumpet Rene Deknight Vocal Arrangement Rob Santos Compilation Producer Robert Allan Arno Liner Notes, Compilation Rudy Stevenson Guitar Syd Orchestra Sharp Performer Tom Scott Flute, Saxophone Tommy Tedesco Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar Victor Feldman Mallets Zavier Guitar (12 String Acoustic)