Once Upon a Dream was the Rascals fourth album, and the first to drop the word "Young" from their moniker; but it's more than a name change. Released in February of 1968, the quartet took the easy, textured feel of its previous single, Groovin, and the deeply felt influence of the Beatles Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album, and put their own spin on it by adding their trademark blue-eyed soul and jazz influences to the mix of psychedelia. While the influence of the Beatles cannot be underestimated on the emerging sound of the Rascals, their own maturity as songwriters and recording artists can't either. Self-produced, the Rascals had help from arranger-conductor Arif Mardin and engineer Tom Dowd, as well as Adrian Barber, who engineered the various sound effects in the intros, outros, and inside the tracks themselves. Once Upon a Dream was conceived of and recorded as an album, whereas their previous trio of full-lengths had been collections of singles with other tracks (many of them excellent) to fill the gaps. The set netted one single in the gorgeous It's Wonderful, and the set itself peaked at number seven. All details aside, though, a listen to this platter is startling. Its sophisticated orchestral and vocal arrangements are remarkable even in the 21st century. Beginning with an ethereal piano, string and vocal intro, it quickly gives way to a punchier acoustic guitar, harmonica, B-3, and popping snare riff that ushers in the laid-back soul of Easy Rollin. The track is laid-back with bird sounds (which is a logical extension of Groovin', the previous album's title track), a beautiful refrain, and lots of space, which is indicative of two things: first, the production level was a giant leap, as were the songs (all but one written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati -- guitarist Gene Cornish wrote I'm Gonna Love You Too), which, while expansive, were deeply rooted in the kind of pop the Rascals had perfected. There's the sweet and utterly crazy Rainy Day that seems to be a minor opus with its orchestral interludes, many parts, and stormy effects; nonetheless, it's a very accessible love song. Then there's the rave-up rocker Please Love Me that could have been done as a garage band track but with its flute (played by Hubert Laws!), soprano saxophone solo (jazzman Steve Marcus) fuzzed out guitar effects, and an undercurrent of strings, becomes something else entirely. After a fun house carny interlude, the single pops in with that trademark snare leading the way, and the pillowy harmonies that keeps the soul groove in its pocket.

1		Intro, Easy Rollin[null]
2		Rainy Day[null]
3		Please Love Me[null]
4		It's Wonderful
5		I'm Gonna Love You[null]
6		My Hawaii[null]
7		My World[null]
8		Silly Girl[null]
9		Singin' the Blues Too Long[null]
10		Sattva[null]
11		Finale: Once Upon a Dream[null]