Review of "The Professionals"
Robert L. Jones | Cincinnati, Ohio | 02/19/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The CD includes two LP's, one released in 1974 and another which was not released. The songs are of the highest quality and are quite beautiful. The song "Oh My Love", one of the unreleased, is one of the most beautiful songs I have heard. The strings are fantastic. I had heard that Major Harris had song with the Delfonics and he can be heard on this set and actually has a song he released as a solo act on here as well. "Pardon Me" written by Wilbur Hart is good. Wilbur sings lead on the songs he wrote while William sings lead on the songs he wrote. Its hard to believe that the Delfonics were pushed to the side in favor of the Stylistics and Blue Magic. Quite frankly, their singles were just as good and the other songs on their albums were certainly NOT fillers. I listen to every song and this CD is no different."
The "architectural genius" of Thom Bell....
William Blackshear | West Orange, NJ USA | 03/07/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Had been no more! Over the years the questions arise...."why didn't the Delfonics acheive greater fame, as others, arguably with a less quality lead high tenor, than one of the all-time ranking best, William "Poogie" Hart", had? Of course there are always more than one factor, but the most glaring here has nothing to do with the boys themselves, but rather with higher levels. The Delfonics first, and greatest producer/arranger led the group to recognition and distinctive recordings on their first two album releases "La La, Means I Love You" and the 1968 follow-up "The Sounds Of Sexy Soul". The 1968 "Super Hits" was a comp of the first two. The label (Philly Groove Records - Owner, Stan "The Man" Watson) gathered enough singles and a few non-arranged Bell tracks to release 1970's "The Delfonics" with "Didn't I Blow Your Mind". But, alas, what should have been the launching pad to even greater recordings, was not going to be! Instead of Thom's value to the group and label being recognized, and secured, it was not. Nothing to do with the group, but label ownership. Thom didn't need the label, the label needed Thom! Without missing a beat he was already gone, and on to produce the Stylistics (the first two albums are classics, don't forget the penmanship of Linda Creed!) from obscurity to name recognition. The industry, being what it is......., within a blink, he needed to exit that door to take the Spinners (heeding amongst others, Aretha Frankiln's advice, to pack their bags and bolt Detroit and Motown, to what would be their career move, to Philly) under his wing to fame and fortune. Ownership or management, not recoginzing and responding, the genius of Thom Bell, how costly! The Delfonics first, then the Stylistics, both suffered the loss of! Even the Delfonics 1972 album "Tell Me This Is A Dream" was not a full studio set, a few tracks were recorded several years earlier when Bell was at the helm. The truth of the matter is, had Bell not left the Delfonics, what could have been? The "Un-released" lp, is very interesting, Poogie's production touch is written all over it. Delfonics fans, let your excavation of it's history begin. It's buy time! Buy and read the notes on all the Delfonics cds, and the puzzle can be put together. Some hints, 1976 session, but not in Philly, actually in California. Why was it never released at the time? Hmmmm.... Very interesting, indeed!"
I wrote before
Edward D. Turner | United States | 05/12/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"but I had to come back, eventhough I am a big Delfonic fan, the more I play this cd, the more I like it. If you love R&B 70's soul, YOU MUST OWN THIS CD!"
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1
