David Axelrod's *Song of Innocence* stands as one of the most audacious orchestral soul-jazz statements of the early '70s, a visionary concept album that dares to set William Blake's poetry to lush, psychedelically-tinged arrangements. Working with a full orchestra, Axelrod constructs soundscapes that feel both weightless and deeply grounded—strings and horns dissolve into each other while funky basslines and spiritual vocal performances anchor tracks like the title piece and "The Smile." This is sophisticated music that never loses touch with the soul tradition at its core, balancing Axelrod's experimentalist impulses with genuine emotional warmth. It's music that rewards close listening, where every string swell and horn counterpoint reveals itself as part of a carefully woven tapestry. For anyone seeking that rare intersection of intellectual ambition and visceral groove, this remains an essential listen.