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I’m so very proud of my good friend Robert-Allan Arno – the Biographer of Grammy-winning legends The 5th Dimension. Robert’s directing and coaching has taken my performances to new levels, and he was kind enough to introduce me to The 5th Dimension stars – Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. They were so charming and supportive of my own sound, which is an honor because their smooth harmonies are such an inspiration to me.

Robert has just produced the documentary, “The 5th Dimension: An Up-Up & Away Legacy” which makes its debut for Black History Month with select airings on NYC television (and on the web.) I’m so pleased to bring you the official Press Release for this very special “Let the Sunshine In” event.

THE SOUL OF THE VOICE, LTD.
New York, New York

“THE 5th DIMENSION: AN UP-UP & AWAY LEGACY” DOCUMENTARY TO AIR FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH ON NEW YORK CITY TELEVISION

A Brief Biography: Think “The 5th Dimension” and reflections of harmonious sounds & images so readily fill the mind that you can’t help but smile. It’s hard to believe this hiply elegant quintet first entered our collective consciousness over 4 decades ago circa ’67. And with the invincible married couple and leading Alum of the group, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. always surprising us with new endeavors on their kaleidoscopic musical journey today, and the vivacious Florence LaRue continuing to lead The (current) 5th Dimension in sold-out concerts globally, the magic never ends! In fact, survey fans both old and new, and “The 5th Dimension essence” seems to mean just as much in 2012 as in the group’s heyday of the late ’60′s through early-mid ’70′s.

That wondrous “beautiful balloon ride,” as in their signature song, “Up-Up and Away” (by Jimmy Webb) proved to be a bold statement indeed, for “The 5th” are beloved for transcending time, musical genres, fashion, choreography and even spiritual philosophy…uniting a vast audience of racial and generational diversity during turbulent times in our country’s history. Dubbed “The Cosby Show” of singing groups, also “The Black Beatles,” heralded by the likes of Frank Sinatra and credited as influencing numerous artists such as Earth, Wind and Fire, simply put, “The 5th” brought people together–and in the process, everyone knew the individual group member’s names!

Multi-Grammy (6), Gold (14) & Platinum (6) record winning with countless Top 10 and 20 chart-toppers, The 5th Dimension presented an amalgam of Pop, Jazz, R & B, Broadway, Gospel, Torch and light Opera treatments that defined “Champagne Soul.” Mega hits like the aforementioned “Up-Up and Away” plus the medley, “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In,” (from the Broadway musical “Hair”) became anthems of uplift for a generation. “Stoned Soul Picnic,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” (both by Laura Nyro) and “One Less Bell To Answer” with its memorable “one less egg to fry” lyric (by Bacharach/David) are also strongly woven into America’s pop cultural tapestry. And yes, so distinct were the original members of The 5th Dimension that one can’t forget all those beguilingly beautiful solos by the equally beautiful Marilyn McCoo, the ingenious soulful stylings of the incomparable Billy Davis, Jr., the sassy yet radiant vocal vibe of the lovely Florence LaRue, the suave bass of the visionary founder of the group, LaMonte McLemore, the robust dignity of the classically-trained Ron “Sweets” Townson.

About the Documentary:

Biographer of The 5th Dimension, Robert-Allan Arno who pens the globally popular FOREVER 5th DIMENSION Blog-zine and does liner notes for the group plus is collaborating on other projects with the group’s individual original members, produced the documentary, “The 5th Dimension: An Up-Up & Away Legacy.” He states, “I wanted to put this together as an homage to 5 distinct artists who are truly beloved the world over. As a singing group, The 5th Dimension were and still are in a harmonious class by themselves. And it’s awesome that the duet of Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr., who just celebrated 42 years of marriage, and Florence LaRue who leads today’s 5th Dimension, are all as vibrant as ever. LaMonte McLemore retired a few years back, but he is still active, too with his professional photographic endeavors as well as just opening a thriving new restaurant on the Las Vegas strip. I credit these people as personal mentors who shaped our world, made it as the song ‘Up-Up & Away’ goes, ‘a nicer place.’ Like Nat “King” Cole before them, The Jackson 5 after them, The 5th Dimension set sky high standards in the entertainment biz that brought a spirit of hope and unity to our culture.” As such, Manhattan Neighborhood Network, where the 30 minute self-contained documentary was produced for Mr. Arno’s company, The Soul of the Voice, Ltd., is running the special for Black History Month, February 2012. Its first airing is at prime time, 8:30 PM, Saturday, February 11th, with a repeat broadcast the following Saturday, February 18th at 8:30 PM, both airings on the Public Access network’s Culture Channel (67). As well, a special broadcast of the documentary occurs on Valentine’s night, February 14th, 8:30 PM on the network’s Spirit Channel (57) with a romantic tip of the hat to McCoo & Davis’s long-term marriage. Arno confirms, “The duo met in The 5th Dimension; it’s so honoring of the network to run ‘The 5th Dimension: An Up-Up & Away Legacy’ both for Black History Month and on Valentine’s Day evening. The 5th Dimension, above all, stood for love.”

The documentary features rare performance footage of greatest hits like “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” “California Soul,” and its title tune, “Up-Up and Away,” not to mention the torchy “One Less Bell to Answer.” There’s a breathtaking segment of The 5th Dimension rehearsing with Burt Bacharach their contemporary take of the spiritual “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen.” And clips from McCoo & Davis’ summer variety series circa ’77 after they had departed The 5th Dimension are spotlighted. Plus the reunion tour of The original 5th Dimension as seen on The Arsenio Hall Show circa ’91 and the quintet receiving their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame round things out as each member’s current activities in 2012 punctuate the festivities. Arno enthuses, “Many of these segments haven’t been seen in over 30 years.” Although the documentary is self-contained with numerous musical segments and a few comedy skits including one with Frank Sinatra, there are plans to extend the project into a 90 minute feature. Arno continues, “We’re hoping, after this select airing and some screenings, to take this project further. And the stars of The 5th Dimension have such interesting stories to tell. The inspirational marriage of McCoo and Davis, alone is so endearing to the fans. Miss LaRue’s early discovery by Eartha Kitt, Mr. McLemore’s trailblazing vision in forming The 5th Dimension–there is history still to be told although the voiceover narrative is consummate for the current production.” Arno is also hoping the documentary will jumpstart the campaign to induct The 5th Dimension into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The production is dedicated to the memory of original member, Ron “Sweets” Townson, who passed away in 2001.

How to Watch:

“The 5th Dimension: An Up-Up & Away Legacy” premiers on Saturday, February 11th at 8:30 PM and repeats Saturday, February 18th at 8:30 PM on Manhattan Neighborhood Network’s Channel 4, the Culture Channel, available on Channel 67 (Time Warner Cable), Channel 85 (RCN), and Channel 36 (FiOS). A special Valentine’s Day evening airing occurs on Tuesday, February 14th at 8:30 PM on the network’s Channel 3, the Spirit Channel, available on Channel 57 (Time Warner Cable), Channel 84 (RCN) and Channel 35 (FiOs.) All broadcasts are viewable via live streaming on the web at: www.mnn.org

Today is World AIDS Day… let us be aware and keep ourselves safe… let us educate the next generation so they can be safe… let us consider those living with HIV and send them our love and our respect… let us do what we can to make this dis-ease history… For more info visit www.worldaidsday.org

I was at an Adodi meeting last weekend and saw this music video for “I Will” and knew I had to share it. Great job Marshall Titus I am looking forward to meeting you:)

A perfect way to help celebrate Queer history month. Thank you to Robert Penn for sharing this…

“Brian Freeman co-founded the performance trio Pomo Afro Homos in 1991. They created a landmark piece about black gay Americans, Fierce Love. The revival, Fierce Love (Remix), was performed on March 5 and 6, 2011 at Dance Place, Washington, D.C. Three young actors joined Brian Freeman on stage. This clip from the March 6 performance shows the production’s successful mix of live performance and Robert Penn’s video design.”

If you are in Chicago on October 22, come see me and 3 other talented musicians perform at Bear All 2.0

“Every single American — gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, transgender — every single American deserves to be treated equally in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of our society. It’s a pretty simple proposition.” – President Barack Obama