Summer 2026: The official global release of The 5th Dimension’s “Let the Sunshine In: The Soul City & Bell Albums 1967-1974” 6-CD, first-ever box set on Cherry Red Records and now available at Amazon (see links below) chronicles the timelessly harmonious legacy of the stars of The Original 5th Dimension: Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Florence LaRue, LaMonte McLemore and Ron “Sweets” Townson. In celebration of the 60th anniversary of one of the Pop and Soul Era’s most successful singing groups known for their unifying brand of “Champagne Soul,” the box set gathers the group’s entire Soul City, Bell and Arista recordings into one expansive collection, including rare tracks, unreleased material, live recordings and an extensive booklet.
Robert-Allan Arno shares, “As someone honored to be known as The Original 5th Dimension biographer as well as LaMonte McLemore’s historian, I’m pleased that, as a tribute to ‘Mac’s’ memory, quotes from the memoir we co-wrote, From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension, are featured in the project’s liners.” The liners provide an oral history of the group based on a 2025 roundtable with McCoo, Davis, and LaRue, along with the archival quotes from McLemore, Townson, and others. The deluxe booklet features a new introduction by legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb and boasts rare photos, too.
The 5th Dimension remains ever-relevant, as evidenced by the group’s performances and lead vocalists Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.’s special appearance in Questlove’s directorial debut, the Academy Award- and Grammy-winning documentary “Summer of Soul,” which celebrated the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969.
This 6-CD set presents newly remastered editions of all ten Soul City and Bell albums plus a whopping 25 bonus tracks. The six-time Grammy-winning quintet brought their rich vocal harmonies to songs written by Laura Nyro, Jimmy Webb, Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Ashford & Simpson, Neil Sedaka, and Harry Nilsson to create some of the most enduring music of the 1960-1970s.
The collection includes the chart-topping ‘Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In’ and ‘Wedding Bell Blues’ plus top ten hits ‘Up-Up, and Away,’ ‘Stoned Soul Picnic,’ ‘One Less Bell to Answer,’ and ‘(Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All’ as well as the psych-pop classic song suite album, ‘The Magic Garden.’
Bonus tracks encompass non-LP singles, outtakes, the authorized debut of rare live versions, and the previously unreleased Bones Howe production of Carole King and Gerry Goffin’s ‘Hi-De-Ho.’
Arno adds, “There’ll be many exciting upcoming live and media activities that will accompany this release, featuring McCoo, Davis and LaRue. We invite fans to ‘surry on down’ and ‘sing along with The 5th Dimension’ to the new box set, and at related special events!”
Available at Amazon or Cherry Red Records
