Artist: Mandala, Album: Soul Crusade, Song: World Of Love

"You, me and all of us are looking for the key that will open the door to the world of love, yeah."  Mandala were a R&B band from Toronto that formed in the mid sixties.  The founder of the band was the late Domenic Troiano (see blog 11/10/10) along with original members Whitey Glan and Don Elliot.  The band was later rounded out with the additions of Roy Kenner and Hugh Sullivan.  The band had flirted with fame very early in their career, attracting the attention of legendary R&B/Blues label, Chess Records, out of Chicago.  The band would actually record some singles and tour parts of the U.S. while with them.  However, with some personnel changes, the band would land a new deal with Atlantic and release their debut, Soul Crusade, in 1968.  Led by this funky barn burner, World Of Love, this album is an absolute classic.  Unfortunately, despite having a top ten single from this release (Love-itis), the sales didn't meet expectations and the band called it quits shortly thereafter.  Troiano, Glan and Kenner would go on to form the band, Bush, for one album.  They would all play roles in some legendary bands like Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, James Gang and the Guess Who.  In 1986, a retrospective release was issued by Warner covering this release as well as some of the early singles that were released with Chess Records.  The debut Soul Crusade was also re-mastered by Wounded Bird Records and re-released by Pacemaker Entertainment as well.  You can purchase this album on Itunes.  You can hear the track, World Of Love, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_FGVc-tApc).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!