The Beach Boys' lost masterpiece, 'Adult/Child,' is finally seeing the light of day after nearly 50 years! For a dedicated segment of Beach Boys enthusiasts, the period between 1976 and 1977 represents a truly golden era for the band. This was a time when the brilliant Brian Wilson, after navigating significant personal challenges, returned to actively lead the group in the studio. During this remarkably fertile, albeit brief, period, Wilson not only guided the creation of the wonderfully eccentric album 'The Beach Boys Love You' but also a highly unique project titled 'Adult/Child,' which, until now, remained unreleased. Imagine, a treasure trove of music hidden away for decades!
'Adult/Child' has held a near-mythical status in Beach Boys lore for half a century, rivaling even the legendary 'Smile' in its mystique. Now, on February 13th, this long-lost gem will be unveiled as part of an expansive six-disc, 73-track box set called 'We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years.' But that's not all! This incredible collection also includes a newly remastered version of 'The Beach Boys Love You,' along with a wealth of outtakes and demos from those 'Love You' sessions, plus tracks that didn't make it onto the 1976 LP '15 Big Ones.' In total, the box set boasts 73 songs, with a remarkable 35 of them being previously unreleased.
As a tantalizing preview, you can currently listen to “We Gotta Grove,” a track from the 1976 'Love You' sessions. This particular song features Mike Love on lead vocals, with guitar work by the long-standing Beach Boys touring band member Billy Hinsche. And, of course, Brian Wilson himself contributes vocals and handles all other instrumentation. It’s a fascinating glimpse into their creative process!
The 'We Gotta Groove' box set has been meticulously co-produced by producer/mixing engineer James Sáez and esteemed Beach Boys historian Howie Edelson. Accompanying this sonic journey is a 40-page booklet filled with both new and archival interviews. These conversations feature insights from members of The Beach Boys themselves, as well as the Brother Studio engineering team, including Stephen Moffitt, Earle Mankey, and John Hanlon. It’s a deep dive into the making of this pivotal music.
Last year, we saw founding Beach Boys member Al Jardine and veteran musicians from Brian Wilson’s touring band embark on a special tour dedicated to performing 'The Beach Boys Love You' in its entirety each night. In a recent interview, Jardine shed some light on his role in the creation of that album, explaining that while Carl Wilson was the primary guide for Brian during the recording process, and Dennis Wilson's presence was significant, Mike Love and he primarily contributed by adding background harmonies. "That was about it," he remarked, highlighting the collaborative, yet focused, nature of the sessions.
But here's where it gets controversial... On 'Adult/Child,' Wilson collaborated with orchestral arranger Dick Reynolds to craft a truly eclectic soundscape. This album is a wild tapestry woven with fitness jingles, big-band arrangements, and deeply personal confessions like the poignant “Still I Dream of It” and “It’s Over Now.” Following the commercial underperformance of 'The Beach Boys Love You,' the band made the decision to shelve 'Adult/Child,' opting instead to begin work on their less impactful 1978 LP 'M.I.U Album.' However, the 'Adult/Child' sessions eventually leaked and became a highly prized bootleg among devoted fans, a testament to its inherent artistic value.
And this is the part most people miss... This particular era of The Beach Boys' output seems to be largely overlooked by the touring incarnation of the band led by Mike Love. Yet, Al Jardine continues to champion 'The Beach Boys Love You' with a series of shows booked throughout the year, commencing on February 21st at the South Shore Room at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. The tour will also make stops in Florida and New Jersey before heading to Australia in June. It’s a clear indication that the artistic integrity of this period still resonates deeply with many.
The track listing for 'We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years' is as follows:
Disc 1 — The Beach Boys Love You Album (1977 Mix)
* LP1 Side 1: Let Us Go On This Way, Roller Skating Child, Mona, Johnny Carson, Good Time, Honkin’ Down The Highway, Ding Dang
* LP1 Side 2: Solar System, The Night Was So Young, I’ll Bet He’s Nice, Let’s Put Our Hearts Together, I Wanna Pick You Up, Airplane, Love Is A Woman
* Love You Outtakes (CD Only): Ruby Baby, Marilyn Rovell, Sherry She Needs Me, Lazy Lizzie, We Gotta Groove (2025 Mix), Hey There Mama (2025 Mix), Clangin’ (2025 Mix), Love Is A Woman (Al Jardine Vocal), Johnny Carson (Alternate Mix With Intro), You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling
Disc 2 — Adult/Child Sessions
* LP2 Side 1: Life Is For The Living, Deep Purple, It’s Over Now, Still I Dream Of It, Everybody Wants To Live, Lines, It’s Trying To Say*
* LP2 Side 2: Shortenin’ Bread, New England Waltz, Life Is For The Living (Backing Track), Deep Purple (2025 Backing Track Mix), It’s Over Now (2025 Backing Track Mix), Still I Dream Of It (2025 Backing Track Mix)*
* 1974 – 1977 Select Outtakes (CD Only): Holy Man (2025 Mix Carl Wilson Vocal), Carl’s Song 1 (It Could Be Anything) (2025 Mix), Carl’s Song 2 (Angel Come Home) (2025 Mix), String Bass Song (Rainbows) (2025 Mix), 10,000 Years Ago, Gimme Some Lovin’ (2025 Mix), Honeycomb (Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford Vocal), In The Back Of My Mind (1975 Alternate Take 2025 Mix)*
Disc 3 — 15 Big Ones Outtakes and Alternate Mixes
* LP3 Side 1: Just Once In My Life (2025 Mix), Mony, Mony (2025 Mix), Running Bear (2025 Mix), Shake, Rattle And Roll*, On Broadway (2025 Mix), Sea Cruise (2025 Mix)**
* LP3 Side 2: Chapel Of Love (2025 Mix), Short Skirts (2025 Mix), TM Song (2025 Backing Track Mix), Rock And Roll Music (2025 Backing Track Mix), Had To Phone Ya (2025 Deconstructed Mix), Just Once In My Life (2025 Backing Track Mix)
* Love You Alternate Mixes (CD Only): Let Us Go On This Way (Alternate Mix), Mona (2025 Deconstructed Mix), Honkin’ Down The Highway (Billy Hinsche Vocal), Ding Dang (Session Highlights and Unedited 2025 Mix), Solar System (2025 Backing Track Mix), The Night Was So Young (2025 Vocals Only Mix), Let’s Put Our Hearts Together (2025 Coda Mix)
* Love You Brian Cassette Demos (CD Only): That Special Feeling (Demo), It’s Over Now (Demo), They’re Marching Along (Demo), Love Is A Woman (Demo), Mona (Demo), Airplane (Demo), Let’s Put Our Hearts Together (Demo), I’ll Bet He’s Nice (Demo), Still I Dream Of It (Demo)*
previously unreleased
*newly mixed in 2025
What do you think about the decision to shelve 'Adult/Child' in favor of 'M.I.U Album'? Do you agree that this 1976-1977 period is overlooked? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
