”Questions (On My Mind)” / ”The Black And The Blues” (Academy International 711127) 1971
The Cycles Of Sound | Questions (On My Mind) | Academy International | 1970 | I’ve had this 45 for years and recently got it out of a record box to play and research. To my surprise both sides are still relatively unknown and no information exists online. So who were The Cycles Of Sound?
The record label, Academy International, is a very obscure one. There is a brief listing on Discogs, most of their releases appear to be religious discs by unknown artists, perhaps even amateurs with their one-off recordings and vanity pressings.
The good news is that the full names are provided on the record label with the instruments each individual played. So the line-up can be accurately confirmed as follows:
Mike Smith (vocals / guitar)
Sam Rulli (vocals)
Vito Rulli (bass)
Pasquale Rulli (drums)
Dawn Akers (organ)
With three members of the band having the surname Rulli I’m offering my conclusion that The Cycles Of Sound were very much a family affair with a couple of friends. I’m also thinking that all five were kids and still at school.
Mike Smith and Sam Rulli were given songwriting credits for both songs on the disc. The top side “Questions (On My Mind)” sounds like a lo-fi Peter & Gordon. It’s a pleasant enough folk number with two-part harmonies and Spanish guitar.
“The Black And The Blues” is in the bluesy vein with rather novelty-style lyrics, but it’s well worth a listen.
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