The Delfonics / Tell Me This Is A Dream [Import]

The Delfonics | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 16, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Kent Records UK
• ASIN: B001HID5Y2
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,374 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #92 in Music > R&B > Soul > Philly Soul

Track Listings

1. Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)

2. Funny Feeling

3. When You Get Right Down To It

4. Baby I Love You

5. Delfonics Theme (How Could You) - Instrumental Version

6. Trying To Make A Fool Of Me

7. Down Is Up, Up Is Down

8. Over & Over

9. Think About Me

10. I Gave To You

11. Hey Love

12. I'm A Man

13. Too Late

14. Love You Till I Die

15. Looking For A Girl

16. Walk Right Up To The Sun

17. Round & Round

18. Baby I Miss You

19. Delfonics Theme (How Could You) - Vocal Version

20. Tell Me This Is A Dream

Editorial Reviews

2008 digitally remastered two-fer containing the third and fourth albums from the pioneering Philadelphia sweet Soul trio on one CD. With the collaborative genius of Thom Bell, the Delfonics laid down the ground rules for all of the sweet Soul harmony acts that followed in their wake - most notably the Moments, the Chi-Lites and the Stylistics (who also worked extensively with Bell). In doing so they created some of the finest records of their generation, several of which can be heard here. .20 tracks. Kent.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tell Me I'm NOT Dreaming, January 28, 2009

By 

Dr. Feel (GA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Delfonics / Tell Me This Is A Dream (Audio CD)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY, Philly soul classic Tell Me This is a Dream is released on CD, December 21, 2008

By 

Soul Groove "Formerly G-Funk 4-Ever" (Listenin' to the Delfonics) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Delfonics / Tell Me This Is A Dream (Audio CD)

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!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delfonics Dream CD, March 26, 2009

By 

LEE (Philadelphia PA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Delfonics / Tell Me This Is A Dream (Audio CD)

Classic Delfonics with lots of hard to find songs, Cuts 1-10 feature the Hart Brothers and Randy Cain line up with that incredible three part harmony and some songs with William & Wilbert Hart trading off on lead vocals. Cuts 11-20 Feature The Hart Brothers and Major Harris Line up with Wilbert Hart & Major Harris writing and leading more on vocals with William Harts Backing Falsetto vocals, Amazing Vocals and if you ever saw them live in their prime you know they could sing. No studio tricks here Just great love songs and singing.