The 5th Dimension
The Age Of Aquarius
Written-By – Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado 4:49
A2 Blowing Away
Written-By – Laura Nyro 2:30
A3 Skinny Man
Written-By – Ginger Kollander, I. Michael Kollander 2:49
A4 Wedding Bell Blues
Written-By – Laura Nyro 2:42
A5 Don'tcha Hear Me Callin' To Ya
Written-By – Rudy Stevenson 3:54
A6 The Hideaway
Written-By – Jim Webb 2:44
B1 Workin' On A Groovy Thing
Written-By – Neil Sedaka, Roger Atkins 3:09
B2 Let It Be Me
Written-By – Gilbert Becaud, Mann Curtis 3:53
B3 Sunshine Of Your Love
Written-By – Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Peter Brown 3:17
B4 The Winds Of Heaven
Written-By – Bob Dorough, Fran Landesman 3:14
B5 Those Were The Days
Written-By – Gene Raskin 3:04
B6 Let The Sunshine In (Reprise)
Written-By – Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado 1:27
Label: Soul City – SCS-92005
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: R&B Soul, Pop
Style: Sixties Soul, Pop-Soul
The 5th Dimension's 1969 album The Age Of Aquarius, released by Soul City/Bell, is a landmark of psychedelic soul and sunshine pop, celebrated for its lush harmonies and optimistic take on counter-culture hits from Hair, alongside Laura Nyro covers like "Wedding Bell Blues," with legendary Wrecking Crew musicians and producer Bones Howe delivering a culturally resonant, commercially massive album featuring the #1 hit "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In," solidifying their place in 60s pop history as a classic, joyful sound.}
A blend of Pop, R&B, Soul, and Sunshine Pop, defined by intricate, opulent vocal harmonies and sophisticated arrangements, says AllMusic and The Guardian.
The album is praised for its "opulent harmonies" and the "rich mix" of Marilyn McCoo’s soprano and Florence LaRue’s alto. Modern reviews often refer to the workmanship and integrity of the music as "absolute art".
Legendary producer Bones Howe and the Wrecking Crew session musicians (including Hal Blaine and Joe Osborn) are credited with giving the album its "Big Sound"—described by audiophiles as having "tubey magical sweetness" and exceptional clarity.
The iconic "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In," a medley from the musical Hair, became a global #1 hit, bringing hippie themes into mainstream pop with a positive spin, notes Wikipedia.
Features standout covers of songs by Laura Nyro (like "Wedding Bell Blues," another #1) and Jimmy Webb, making these writers known, says this Facebook post and The Guardian.
Considered a triumph, a classic, and a high point for the group, praised for its musicality and ability to capture the era's spirit with optimistic pop.
While some contemporary listeners find the second half of the record to contain "filler" tracks or covers that don't always surpass the originals, the overall consensus remains that it is a "genuine classic" of late 1960s pop-soul.