One of
the 5th Dimension's finest all-around albums,
Stoned Soul Picnic is not only home to the title track, but also to the hits "Sweet Blindness" and "California Soul." All three of these songs provide excellent examples of the band's sunny and buoyant appeal. Although the singers' awesome vocal gifts deserve all the credit they get, it's also important to realize the immense contributions from producer
Bones Howe and vocal arranger
Bob Alcivar. The group was far more than a black version of
the Mamas & the Papas. There are also some excellent album cuts here, such as
Jeffrey Comanor's "It'll Never Be the Same Again," where
Billy Davis, Jr.'s exquisite soul pipes get off an amazing solo around an excellent Motown-styled arrangement. If you're going to pick up one
5th Dimension album (aside from a greatest hits package), you won't find a better one than this. ~ Matthew Greenwald