The Rascals Complete Atlantic Studio Recordings Box Arrives

Share This:

The great rock and soul band, first known as The Young Rascals, and later, simply, The Rascals, delivered some of the great sides of the mid-to-late ’60s with such era-defining singles as “Good Lovin’,” “Groovin’,” “It’s a Beautiful Morning” and “People Got To Be Free.” Now, the group’s entire Atlantic Records output, spanning 1965-1971, has been released, on May 31, 2024, on Now Sounds via the U.K.’s Cherry Red Records, as a 7-CD box set, The Rascals: It’s Wonderful: The Complete Atlantic Studio Recordings. The 152 remastered songs include 14 previously unreleased tracks. The first four albums are presented in both stereo and mono, along with significant single edits and foreign language versions. The collection includes a 60-page booklet with detailed notes and rare illustrations from The Rascals archives. It’s available in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.

From the label’s announcement: In the mid-1960s, the Rascals fused the best of rock and soul and they remain one of the most beloved of acts of that era. The electrifying quartet of Felix Cavaliere, Eddie Brigati, Gene Cornish and Dino Danelli defined the term blue-eyed soul. As the hits mounted up, the group expanded their musical horizons and revealed a powerful songcraft with introspective originals “Groovin’” [one of the group’s three #1 singles] and “How Can I Be Sure,” both future standards.

Although the Rascals are principally remembered for their singles, their albums were also studded with gems, and showcased not just their signature rock and R&B styles but also a progressive exploration of jazz, Eastern modes, psychedelia and other diverse styles. This set presents the full complement of their cornerstone Atlantic recordings, featuring the band’s seven LPs for the label—the first four in both mono and stereo variations—along with assorted non-LP singles, foreign language versions and, for the very first time on a Rascals reissue, 14 previously unreleased tracks.

It’s Wonderful is the definitive compendium of the group’s first five years 1965-1971, charting their growth from New York club band to international superstars. Compiled and suitably remastered by Alec Palao, this major refurbishment of their catalog leaves no stone unturned. A nearly 10,000-word essay by Richie Unterberger provides an in-depth account of their career, and is supplemented by an extensive session history and copious illustrations from the Rascals Archives. All housed in a deluxe, handsomely appointed box art directed and designed by Steve Stanley.

The Rascals: It’s Wonderful: The Complete Atlantic Studio Recordings Track Listing
DISC ONE – THE YOUNG RASCALS

This ad for the “It’s Wonderful” single appeared in the Dec. 2, 1967 issue of Record World

1. Slow Down
2. Baby Let’s Wait
3. Just A Little
4. I Believe
5. Do You Feel It
6. Good Lovin’
7. Like A Rolling Stone
8. Mustang Sally
9. I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore
10. In The Midnight Hour
11. Slow Down
12. Baby Let’s Wait
13. Just A Little
14. I Believe
15. Do You Feel It
16. Good Lovin’
17. Like A Rolling Stone
18. Mustang Sally
19. I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore
20. In The Midnight Hour
21. Mustang Sally (unedited version – previously unissued)

DISC TWO – COLLECTIONS
1. What Is The Reason
2. Since I Fell For You
3. Lonely Too Long
4. No Love To Give
5. Mickey’s Monkey/Love Lights
6. Come On Up
7. Too Many Fish In The Sea
8. More
9. Nineteen Fifty-Six
10. Love Is A Beautiful Thing
11. Land Of 1000 Dances
12 What Is The Reason
13. Since I Fell For You
14. Lonely Too Long
15. No Love To Give
16. Mickey’s Monkey/Love Lights
17. Come On Up
18. Too Many Fish In The Sea
19. More
20. Nineteen Fifty-Six
21. Love Is A Beautiful Thing
22. Land Of 1000 Dances
23. Good Lovin’ (alternate version – previously unissued)
24. Marryin’ Kind Of Love (previously unissued)
25. Temptation’s ‘Bout To Get Me (early version – previously unissued)
26. I’ve Been Lonely Too Long (mono single edit)

DISC THREE – GROOVIN’
1. A Girl Like You
2. Find Somebody
3. I’m So Happy Now
4. Sueño
5. How Can I Be Sure
6. Groovin’
7. If You Knew
8. I Don’t Love You Anymore
9. You Better Run
10. A Place In The Sun
11. It’s Love
12. A Girl Like You
13. Find Somebody
14. I’m So Happy Now
15. Sueño
16. How Can I Be Sure
17. Groovin’
18. If You Knew
19. I Don’t Love You Anymore
20. You Better Run
21. A Place In The Sun
22. It’s Love
23. I’m So Happy Now (underdub – previously unissued)
24. I Don’t Love You Anymore (alternate take – previously unissued)
25. If You Knew (rehearsal – previously unissued)

DISC FOUR – ONCE UPON A DREAM
1. Intro-Easy Rollin’
2. Rainy Day
3. Please Love Me
4. Sound Effect
5. It’s Wonderful
6. I’m Gonna Love You
7. Dave And Eddie
8. My Hawaii
9. My World
10. Silly Girl
11. Singin’ The Blues Too Long
12. Bells
13. Sattva
14. Finale: Once Upon A Dream
15. Intro-Easy Rollin’
16. Rainy Day
17. Please Love Me
18. Sound Effect
19. It’s Wonderful
20. I’m Gonna Love You
21. Dave And Eddie
22. My Hawaii
23. My World
24. Silly Girl
25. Singin’ The Blues Too Long
26. Bells
27. Sattva
28. Finale: Once Upon A Dream
29. It’s Wonderful (mono single mix)

DISC FIVE – FREEDOM SUITE
1. America The Beautiful
2. Me And My Friends
3. Any Dance’ll Do
4. Look Around
5. Ray Of Hope
6. Island Of Love
7. Of Course
8. Love Was So Easy To Give
9. People Got To Be Free
10. Baby I’m Blue
11. Heaven
12. Adrian’s Birthday
13. Boom
14. Cute
15. A Beautiful Morning
16. Let Freedom Ring (previously unissued)
17. My Love For You (previously unissued)
18. Share Your Love With Me (previously unissued)

DISC SIX – SEE
1. See
2. I’d Like To Take You Home
3. Remember Me
4. I’m Blue
5. Stop And Think
6. Temptation’s ‘Bout To Get Me
7. Nubia
8. Carry Me Back
9. Away Away
10. Real Thing
11. Death’s Reply
12. Hold On
13. See (single edit)
14. Hold On (mono single)
15. Nubia (alternate version – previously unissued)
16. You Gotta Try aka Hold On (previously unissued)

DISC SEVEN – SEARCH AND NEARNESS
1. Right On
2. I Believe
3. Thank You Baby
4. You Don’t Know
5. Nama
6. Almost Home
7. The Letter
8. Ready For Love
9. Fortunes
10. Glory Glory
11. Hey Bo (previously unissued)
12. Silver Dollar Lady (previously unissued)
13. Groovin’ (Italian language version)
14. Groovin’ (Spanish language version)
15. Groovin’ (French language version)
16. Sentirai La Pioggia
17. Corri Nel Sole