Episode 021: Twenty One Seconds To Dawn - Late 60's Blue Eyed Soul

Plastic Penny - Everything I Am (UK 1967) This UK band specialized in the classic pop-psych sound that was sweeping the nation at the time, yet with with a soulful edge that set them apart from their peers. This can be heard on this sweet and earnest love song - and debut single - which they released at the end of 1967. After two albums in as many years, the Pennies called it a day.

Flaming Ember - Mind, Body and Soul (US 1969) A quintessential blue-eyed soul unit from the US that sought a particularly impassioned vocal strain of the genre as heard on this sweet sticky love song. After a handful of singles and two albums for the Hot Wax label, the band would call it quits leaving behind a discography worth digging into.

Cupid's Inspiration - My World (UK 1968) This UK band recorded one album and a handful of singles in their brief three year career, but they are arguably one of the finest examples of the blue eyed soul genre. Their lone album has many highlights including this soaring single that features the huge voice of lead singer Terry Rice-Milton.

Episode Six - Mr. Universe (UK 1968) This UK psych band is famous for being the first vehicle for future Deep Purple members Ian Gillan and Roger Glover. They released nine singles during their career, all of which failed to chart but nonetheless are worth a listen. Their finest example may be this sultry b-side featuring the soulful lead vocals of Gillan.

Aesop's Fables - And When It's Over (US 1969) A moody and groovy number by this band of psychedelic warriors out of New York. Lead singer Sonny Botari's croon is the centerpiece, but the band's rhythm section is undeniably stealing the show here. After two albums and a handful of singles, Sonny would break up the band and pursue a solo career.

Manfred Mann - Fox On the Run (UK 1968) Part of the initial British Invasion that swept the world in the mid 60's, this classic band - lead by an organist of their namesake - would adopt to the times with much success during their long and prolific career. 1968 finds them contributing to the burgeoning pop-psych wave while retaining the soulful sound of their early days as heard on this stellar single.

The Love Affair - Everlasting Love (UK 1967) This ubiquitous single might be the ultimate example of blue eyed soul - with it's soaring vocal, polished production and bombastic horn section, it can be used as paradigm for the sound. After two albums and a handful of singles, the band would call it a day in the early 70's.

The Loading Zone - Maybe We've Been Loving Too Long (US 1968) A funky cover of UK pop-psych band The Flying Machine's minor hit single by a groovy bunch of freaks from Oakland, CA. Formerly psychedelic band The Marbles, they would recruit soul singer Linda Tillery and morph their sound as heard on their solid two albums.

Rare Earth -Red Apple (US 1968) One of the more famous American acts of the blue-eyed soul sound, this Detroit combo was quite prolific with a career that spans three decades. Their debut combines the soul sound with an exploito-popsike twist that yielded great results as can be heard here.

Friend and Lover - Reach Out of the Darkness (US 1968) This then husband-and-wife duo scored a minor hit with this perfect funky little pop nugget. After two years as a couple and musical act, they'd call it quits in both respects leaving behind one album and a handful of singles that are worth investigating.