Mar 16, 2009

ART OF LOVIN' - ART OF LOVIN' (MAINSTREAM 1968) Jap mastering cardboard sleeve



One of the best psyche treasures on late 60s Mainstream Records -- a sunny, fuzzy album that's beyond compare! The Art Of Loving have a mixed male/female vocal style at their head -- a sound that's somewhere in the Mamas & Papas mode, but a bit more stripped down -- and crafted here with leaner, darker sounds that are really great -- and almost a bit spooky at times! As with other Mainstream rock sessions, there's something magical about the way the bass is recorded -- a completely flat tone that pushes the music up from the bottom, and really makes a magical platform for rougher guitar, organ, and drums. Tracks are almost all originals by male singer Paul Applebaum -- and titles include "Paul's Circus", "Take A Ride", "Good Times", "Daily Prayer", "The First Time", "You'll Walk Away", "State Of Mind", and "And I Have Seen Them All"...[net]
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The Mainstream Records production is on par for the Chicago-based blues & jazz label which tended to hold back when recording psych bands such as Big Brother & the Holding Company, Tiffany Shade, Growing Concern, Bohemian Vendetta and Orient Express.
The Art of Lovin's talented female singer Gail Winnick wasn't given a chance to develop a stronger persona, and critics have described her unkindly as a faceless Grace Slick. However her contributions here are very nice.
Interestingly highlights include the arrangement of 'Paul's Circus' which opens the album auspiciously, the powerful 'You've Got The Power'and 'State Of Mind' gets in a nice groove and feature some good guitar...[net]
Here

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting this one. can't wait to take a listen. Nice site.

Georgie Hirezola said...

it'a very nice piece of pop-psyche & the magic of...so called "Mainstream sound" is present from the beginning to the end....
It became one of my favs from the first time I listened to...several years ago!
thank you guys+++++++++++

Anonymous said...

Many thankx. Another gem.

Subcomandante Marcos said...

Mainstream released many good records, I've not had the pleasure of hearing this album so thank you for the chance.
Cheers!! SCM

Anonymous said...

Wow..this is a great, great album.

Anonymous said...

Hi from Cy
Another late time listen, it started well and only got better.
Thank you.
Cy from Pck.

Anonymous said...

I heard this when I was 10 years old as my brother knew a member of the band. Never forgot the songs. Really impressive for a little known group. Thoughtful lyrics that are a bit different than anything you will hear elsewhere, earnest and cosmic yet intelligent, very catchy melodies and an excellent female lead vocalist.