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Tell Me I'm NOT Dreaming

Dr. Feel | GA United States | 01/28/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't believe it! For the first time ever is the Delfonics' obscure and hard-to-find "Tell Me This Is A Dream" album from 1972, coupled with their 1970 "The Delfonics" album. These are the trio's best albums during their reign, and what a great idea to offer them both as a "two-fer". William Hart, Wilbert Hart & Randy Cain are the Kings of Philly Soul, and with the help of producer Thom Bell, they recorded some of the best soul music ever.



"The Delfonics" album (Philly Groove #1153) is a true classic all by itself. Nearly every song was released as a single or a "B Side" single that became a hit after receiving significant airplay. Hits such as "Trying To Make A Fool Of Me", "Didn't I", "When You Get Right Down To It", "Over & Over", "I Gave To You" and "Baby I Love You". What pure delight! This stuff brings back a ton of memories from the early '70s. It just doesn't get any better than this.



"Tell Me This Is A Dream" (Philly Groove label, #1154) was produced by Stan Watson, not Bell, but the album doesn't disappoint as the Delfonics maintained their traditional sound and style that fans loved on their previous releases, "La La.." and "The Sound of Sexy Soul". Also, when this album was released, Randy Cain had left the group and was replaced by Major Harris (who three years later went solo and recorded the hit "Love Won't Let Me Wait").



The album contains the hit "Hey Love", the first single from the album which was actually released in 1971 (back in those days, the singles were released 6 months to a year before the album dropped, so fans had a preview of what was to come as they anxiously awaited the LP's release). It features Wilbert on lead vocals, as do most of the other songs on the album. He also wrote most of the songs on this release. Other hits include "Walk Right Up To The Sun" and the title track. One of the best songs on the album is "Looking For A Girl". I never understood why this song wasn't released as a single because it definitely qualified as a top-ten hit. Truly one of my favorites! Other notable tracks include "I'm A Man", "Love You Till I Die" and "Baby I Miss You". "Delfonics Theme" is carried over from "The Delfonics" album, but this time with vocals.



The Delfonics recorded one more album after this - 1974's "Alive & Kicking", which was also a great album with several other great hits ("I Told You So", "Think It Over", "Start All Over Again" & "I Don't Want To Make You Wait"), but was very underrated. By that time, disco music was emerging and Thom Bell was long gone producing the Stylistics and the Spinners. Unfortunately, The Delfonics would not be heard from again until 1981 with their "Return" album, which was a total flop. But the group will always be remembered as one of the pioneers of the Philly Sound and their music will stand the test of time.

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FINALLY, Philly soul classic Tell Me This is a Dream is rele

G-Funk 4ever | Listenin' to the Delfonics | 12/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tell Me This is a Dream is 10 years older than I am, but as a young, passionate fan of the Delfonics, I was frustrated to find this album previously only available on vinyl, and I do not have, nor can I afford a record player. Now, Kent Records releases a two-fer with this album preceded by The Delfonics 1970 self-titled classic. I pre-ordered this cd as soon as I found out (2 months before the Dec. 16th release date), because I have only heard a few singles on a hits comp of the 1972 album. As for the cd quality, 5 star material with nice sound quality and good remastering. The Delfonics (1970) is their 3rd album (4th if you count 1969's Super Hits), and is a wonderful soul album with nice production by Thom Bell. William Hart has that wonderful falsetto that can carry any emotion. "Baby I Love You" is a perfect jam, and I love the "wop bop bop bop's" showing the group's doo-wop influence. "Think About Me" is a nice upbeat jam with nice strings with nice mellow vocals. "Trying to Make a Fool of Me" is one of my favorites. The group analyzes a relationship filled with mind games, and it is time to let go. The beat is nice rolling funk with a nice "sitar," a trademark of early 70's Philly soul (Thom Bell also used the style with The Stylistics). "Funny Feeling" is a cute upbeat joint, a nice groovy jam to dance to originally released in '69 before the album was released. The horns in the jam are mad tight. Overall, a wonderful album. NOW, it's time for the long-awaited 1972 Tell Me This Is A Dream part on CD. Simply and unequivocally stated, this album is another masterpiece in the Delfonics' discog!! They push the envelope and try different styles. And, they do it mostly without Thom Bell, who was working more with The Stylistics and The Spinners at the time. Many more jams are done without Hart's falsetto. Many of the songs have more of an up-tempo feel, while there are some vintage slower, softer jams. "Round and Round" is a faster tempo jam about a confused lover, and employs a simple sitar sprinkled in. A standout is the vulnerable soft soul jam, "Looking For a Girl" which sounds so sad in a way; William Hart pours some desperate and lonely emotion in this song, a clear-cut winner and one of their finest jams yet. "I'm A Man" has a quiet-storm feel to it and some elaborate up-tempo early-70's orchestration. "Hey Love" is a beautiful jam that has some of the smoothest vocals ever done by the group. This is the slower jam to cruise with ya gal to. The sitar reappears in "Tell Me This is a Dream" the beautiful title joint. The vocal harmonization lifts you through the clouds like a dream does. I am glad that I can now listen to the much hyped 1972 album now on cd. Tell Me This is a Dream has to be in my top 5 soul albums from the 70's. Even before I heard the whole album (after hearing a few songs from it on a comp), I knew I would love it, and I was totally right. I love the two-fers of long OOP albums. Pick this up NOW before re-printing stops again and it becomes rare. The Delfonics will reach deep into your soul with these two albums. Kent may be releasing Delfonics rarities per reading the liner notes. I cannot wait to see if that materializes!

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It's about time

Basschip | 12/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finally!!! I have waited more than 20 years to have "Tell me this is a dream" on cd. It sounds great. The cd insert is spectacular. Job well done.A must have for all Delfonics fans.GET THIS DISC NOW."