The Dells
The Dells were formed in 1952 in Harvey, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, by a group of high school friends at Thornton Township High School. Initially known as the El-Rays, the group included founding members Marvin Junior, Verne Allison, Johnny Funches, Chuck Barksdale, and another member whose name is not specified in the available information. The group started to gain recognition through their doo-wop performances in local venues.
They made a significant impact on the R&B genre, earning them the nickname "Grandfathers of R&B Harmony" due to their pioneering work in vocal arrangements that influenced future generations of soul and R&B groups. They signed a recording contract with Checker Records and released their first notable single, "Darling I Know," which helped establish their presence in the music industry.
Their career spanned several decades, during which they became one of the longest-running vocal groups in rock and roll history. From 1956 to 1992, The Dells achieved remarkable success, amassing an impressive 46 R&B chart hits, showcasing their enduring popularity and musical evolution.
The Dells are often credited with shaping the sound of modern R&B, and their harmonious style set a standard for vocal groups that followed. Their influence is evident in the work of numerous artists across various music genres. The group's persistent lineup, particularly with Marvin Junior as lead baritone, contributed to their distinct sound and identity over the years.
They continued performing and recording into the late 20th century, celebrating their legacy and contributions to music. Their dedication and talent earned them recognition both commercially and critically, solidifying their place in music history as a quintessential R&B group.
The Dells' journey from high school friends to R&B legends exemplifies their remarkable talent and resilience in the music industry. Their legacy continues to influence artists and delight fans worldwide, marking them as one of the enduring icons of American music.
I Salute You (40th Anniversary)
Written-By – Kenneth Gamble & Leon A Huff
5:04
A2 Oh My Love
Written-By – Cary Gilbert, Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff
4:53
A3 Listen Up Young Brothers
Written-By – Kenneth Gamble & Leon A. Huff
4:21
A4 I Can't Help Myself
Written-By – Walter B. Sigler, Eugene Curry
7:03
A5 Babylon's Risin'
Written-By – Kenneth Gamble & Leon A. Huff
6:43
B1 Closer To You
Written-By – Walter B. Sigler, Eugene Curry
4:24
B2 Come And Get It
Written-By – Derrick Pearson, Terry Stubbs
4:54
B3 I'm Only A Man
Written-By – Kenneth Gamble & Leon A. Huff
4:18
B4 Baby Don't Go Away Mad
Written-By – Walter B. Sigler
4:37
B5 Somebody's Gotta Move
Written-By – Kenneth Gamble & Leon A. Huff
5:09
Label: Philadelphia International 7 2445-11023-4 1
Format: Cassette, Album
Country: US
Released: 1992
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Nineties Soul
Face to Face
Written-By – Dee Ervin, Wes Farrell
6:31
A2 Hooked On Loving You
Written-By – Russ Stringer
4:54
A3 Thought I Could
Written-By – Russ Stringer
3:51
A4 (You Bring Out) The Best In Me
Written-By – Darryl Carter, Jonah Ellis
3:57
B1 Changed Man
Written-By – Lester Williams
7:18
B2 Love Me
Written-By – Darryl Carter, Jonah Ellis, Lenny Laks
3:39
B3 Plastic People
Written-By – Russ Stringer
4:25
B4 Wrapped Up Tight
Written-By – Lester Williams
3:53
Label: ABC Records – AA-1113
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
Freedom Means....
Written-By – Charles Stepney, Al Wade, Terry Callier
4:12
A2 Rather Be With You
Written-By – Jerry Butler, Al Wade, Terry Callier
4:00
A3 The Love We Had (Stays On My Mind)
Written-By – Al Wade, Terry Callier
4:00
A4 One Less Bell To Answer
Written-By – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
4:48
A5 It's All Up To You
Written-By – Al Wade, Terry Callier
4:00
If You Go Away / Love Story (Medley) 6:48
B1.1 If You Go Away
Written-By – J. Brell, Rod McKuen
B1.2 Love Story
Written-By – C. Sigman, Francis Lai
-
B2 Make It With You
Written-By – David Gates
3:27
B3 Free And Easy
Written-By – Al Wade, Terry Callier
4:58
B4 Melody Man
Written-By – Al Wade, Terry Callier
3:40
B5 Freedom Theme
Written-By – Charles Stepney
0:20
Label: Cadet – CA 50004
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1971
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Soul
Give Your Baby a Standing Ovation
Written-By – Henry Williams, Marv Johnson
4:34
A2 Ain't No Sunshine
Written-By – Bill Withers
4:40
A3 You Don't Care
Written-By – Larry Wade, Terry Callier
3:50
A4 Share
Written-By – Terry Callier
4:04
B1 Love Can Make It Easier
Written-By – Skip Scarborough
4:47
B2 The Glory Of Love
Written-By – William Hill
3:50
B3 Stand Up And Show The World
Written-By – Skip Scarborough
3:10
B4 Soul Strollin'
Written-By – Larry Wade, Terry Callier
3:32
B5 Closer
Written-By – B. Eaton, C. Wolfolk, D. Davis, K. Barker
3:43
Label: Cadet – CA 50037
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
The Dells' 1973 album, Give Your Baby a Standing Ovation, is a classic Chicago soul/funk record on Cadet Records, known for its smooth harmonies, powerful vocals, and rich production by Don Davis, featuring the iconic, gold-selling title track that celebrates women; it blends mellow grooves with righteous soul, showcasing The Dells' masterful vocal blend and earning them another gold record during their prolific career.
Named after their massive hit song, this album solidified their legendary status, becoming their third gold record, masterfully produced by Don Davis, with contributions from Charles Stepney and Bob Miller.
A cornerstone of Chicago soul, showcasing the group's enduring vocal talent and cementing their place among soul legends, the akbum features "spacey soul," rock/soul grooves, strong backbeats, and sophisticated arrangements, with some tracks having a rock edge.
Overall, Give Your Baby a Standing Ovation is a tight, beautifully arranged album that captures The Dells at their peak, delivering soulful anthems and showcasing their distinct vocal blend with a polished, full sound.
The album's title track was a major commercial success, reaching #3 on the R&B charts and peaking at #34 on the Billboard Hot 100. Critics and fans consider the album a "masterclass in vocal harmony" and a "modern soul masterpiece". It remains a significant piece in the evolution of American soul music, capturing the spirit of the early 1970s.
I Touched A Dream
Written-By – D. Addrisi
5:07
A2 All About The Paper
Written-By – Clarence McDonald, Lowrell Simon
5:30
A3 Passionate Breezes
Written-By – Chuck Jackson, Marvin Yancey
5:35
B1 I Touched A Dream
Written-By – Eugene Record
5:18
B2 Just A Little Love
Written-By – Buddy Martin, James Jolis, Kevin Simone
3:39
B3 Look At Us Now
Written-By – Carl Davis, Clarence McDonald, Lowrell Simon
3:29
B4 Your Song
Written-By – Cecil Womack, Don Davis
3:27
Label: 20th Century Fox Records – T-618
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Disco
The Dells I Touched a Dream (1980) is considered the last great Dells album, a surprising hit with superb soulful arrangements by Sonny Sanders and Tom Tom 84, blending lush strings, funk, and emotive vocals for hits like the title track and "Passionate Breezes," offering mature soul that stands out even from their classic '60s/'70s work, though some fans prefer the raw sound of their earlier hits.
It features arrangements by Sonny Sanders and Tom Tom 84 (Earth, Wind & Fire's horn section), creating a rich, soulful sound with sophisticated arrangements incorporating elements of funk and smooth soul, a slight shift from their earlier baroque soul but still deeply emotional.
Widely regarded as a strong late-career effort, a big surprise for the year, and a highlight of their extensive catalog. While some fans miss the raw, soaring vocals of their Vee-Jay/Chess era, they acknowledge the beautiful performances and arrangements, with some tracks being re-recordings that offer a warmer, rounder sound.
In summary, I Touched a Dream is a highly recommended album for soul fans, showcasing The Dells' enduring talent with polished production and heartfelt performances, proving they could still deliver profound, chart-topping soul in the 1980s.
Like It Is Like It Was
Written-By – Bobby Miller
3:07
A2 Oh, What A Day
Written-By – Michael McGill
2:46
A3 Come Out, Come Out
Written-By – Bobby Miller
2:59
A4 Open Up My Heart
Written-By – Bobby Miller
6:30
B1 Darling, Dear
Written-By – Herman, Young
2:52
B2 Since I Fell For You
Written-By – Buddy Johnson
2:28
B3 Nadine
Written-By – Allen Freed
2:47
B4 Long, Lonely Nights
Written-By – Abbott, Henderson, Andrews, Uniman
2:28
B5 Off Shore
Written-By – Diamond, Graham
3:18
Label: Cadet – LPS-837 DJ
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
Love Connection
Arranged By – Norman Harris
Producer – Allan Felder, Norman Harris, Ron Tyson, TAN Productions
Written-By – E. Moore, R. Tyson,
4:13
A2 God Helps Those (Who Help Themselves)
Producer, Arranged By – Norman Harris
Written-By – B. Eli, J. Prusan,
5:03
A3 I'm In Love (I Can't Explain What I Feel)
Arranged By – T.G. Conway
Producer – Bruce Gray, Norman Harris, T.G. Conway
Written-By – B. Gray, T. G. Conway,
6:07
A4 Don't Trick Me, Treat Me
Arranged By – Ron Kersey
Producer – Norman Harris, Ron Kersey
Written-By – J. Aikens, J. Bellmon, B. Turner,
4:56
B1 How Can One Man Be So Lucky
Arranged By – Jack Faith
Producer – Allan Felder, Norman Harris, Ron Tyson, TAN Productions
Written-By – E. Moore, R. Tyson,
4:05
B2 Should I Or Should I Not
Arranged By – Ron Kersey
Producer – Norman Harris
Written-By – B. Sigler,
5:43
B3 Love Connection
Arranged By – Norman Harris
Producer – Allan Felder, Norman Harris, Ron Tyson, TAN Productions
Written-By – A. Felder, N. Harris, R. Tyson,
5:05
B4 Wasted Tears
Arranged By – Ron Kersey
Producer – Norman Harris, Ron Kersey
Written-By – M. Junior,
4:34
Label: Mercury – SRM-1-3711
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Soul
Musical Menu~Always Together
A1 Always Together (Bobby Miller 3:04)
A2 Hallways Of My Mind (Bobby Miller 3:05)
Lunch
A3 Believe Me (Bobby Miller 2:58)
A4 I Want My Momma (Bobby Miller 2:29)
A5 Agatha Van Thurgood (Bobby Miller, Sidney Barnes 2:40)
Dinner
B1 Hallelujah Baby (Bobby Miller 2:48)
B2 Good-bye Mary Ann (Marijohn Wilkin, Wilson Fred Burch 2:19)
B3 Does Anybody Know I'm Here (Bobby Miller 3:15)
Cocktails
B4 Make Sure (You Have Someone Who Loves You) (Bobby Miller 2:34)
B5 I Can't Do Enough (Bobby Miller 3:30)
Label: Cadet – LPS-822
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1968
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
The Dells Musical Menu / Always Together is a classic R&B and soul album released in 1968 on the Cadet record label. It is notable for its blend of powerful ballads, driven by lead vocalist Marvin Junior's distinctive voice, and several surprisingly diverse, up-tempo, and even funky tracks.
The album is a key release that captured The Dells at their prime, following their breakthrough hit "There Is". It was produced by Bobby Miller, with arrangements and conduction by the legendary Charles Stepney.
While The Dells were famous for ballads, this album broadens their style to include more varied tempos. It features the instantly recognizable lead vocals of Marvin Junior and excellent group harmonies.
The original vinyl LP featured a distinctive, somewhat bizarre gatefold cover art that depicted the group as a "musical menu," being sprinkled from salt and pepper shakers onto a plate.
The album is structured with interlude titles like "Breakfast," "Lunch," "Dinner," and "Cocktails" interspersed between the songs.
The album was a top-ten R&B hit, though it had more modest success on the pop charts.
New Beginnings
Written-By – Iran Koster, Teddy Randazzo, Victoria Pike
3:12
A2 Drowning For Your Love
Written-By – Clarence Rome, Jr.
4:19
A3 I Wanna Testify
Written-By – Deron Taylor
Written-By, Arranged By – George Clinton
5:00
A4 All Your Goodies Are Gone
Written-By – William Nelson, Clarence Haskins
Written-By, Arranged By – George Clinton
5:17
B1 My Life Is So Wonderful (When You're Around)
Written-By – Al Perkins
3:18
B2 Call Me (Right By Your Side I'll Be)
Written-By – Tony Stebens, Johnny Funches, Dells
5:04
B3 Cherish
Written-By – Marcus London
4:32
B4 Tripped, Slipped, Stumbled And Fell
Written-By – Clifford Chambers AKA Charles R. Cason
3:49
Label: ABC Records – AA-1100
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Soul
No Way Back
Written-By – Ivy Hunter
3:25
A2 When Does The Lovin' Start
Written-By – Andre Moore, Ivy Hunter, Renaldo Benson
3:34
A3 I'll Make You My Girl
Written-By – Bobby Miller
4:25
A4 Life Is The Time
Written-By – Curtis Gadson, Ivy Hunter
3:24
A5 Ain't No Black And White In Music
Written-By – Charles Leverett, Ivy Hunter
7:40
B1 No Way Back
Written-By – Andrew Terry
3:01
B2 Too Late For Love
Written-By – Andrew Terry, Robert Brooks
3:44
B3 You're The Greatest
Written-By – Bobby Miller
3:05
B4 Adventure (No Way Back - No Way Back Pt.2)
Written-By – Andrew Terry, Robert Brooks, Walter Morris
2:46
B5 I'll Try Again
Written-By – Bobby Miller
3:53
B6 Slow Motion
Written-By – Andre Moore, Charles Leverett, Ivy Hunter
4:03
Label: Mercury – SRM-1-1084
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk, Disco
One Step Closer
Written-By – C. Jackson, M. Yancy
4:58
A2 Love On
Written-By – C. Jackson, M. Yancy, T. Coleman
4:10
A3 You Just Can't Walk Away
Written-By – C. Jackson, M. Yancy
5:06
A4 Come On Back To Me
Written-By – G. McMahon
3:48
B1 Holdin' On
Written-By – G. Leib, M.A. Caruso
4:18
B2 Don't Want Nobody
Written-By – David Williams
3:39
B3 I Am Your Man
Written-By – N. Ashford, V. Simpson
4:42
B4 Jody
Written By – T. Jackson, David Williams
4:08
Label: Private I Records – BFZ 39309
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Disco, Soul, Funk
Sweet As Funk Can Be
A1 Ol' Amigo 0:35
A2 Windy City Soul 3:30
Segue 2
A3 Funky Breeze/Ghetto Scene 0:41
A4 Brown Eyed Lady 3:52
Segue 3
A5 The Origin Of Funk 1:40
A6 Do What You Gotta Do Baby 4:55
Segue 4
A7 Sweet As Funk Can Be 0:32
A8 Till I See You Again 3:44
Segue 5
B1 Sweet 0:35
B2 When You're Alone 4:58
B3 The Look Of Love 4:31
Segue 6
B4 Fonky Thang, Diamond' Rang 1:00
B5 Oh My Dear 4:34
Segue 7
B6 Ol' Amigo 0:35
B7 Just As Long As We're In Love 3:38
Label: Cadet – CA 50021
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
We Got To Get Our Thing Together
Producer – Don Davis
Written-By – Calvin Arlin, Jackie Avery, James Dean
4:16
A2 Strike Up The Band
Producer – Don Davis
Written-By – Miles Chase
3:03
A3 Reminiscing
Producer – Don Davis
Written-By – Clay Robinson, Gene Beene
4:06
A4 I'll Be Waiting There For You
Producer – Don Davis
Written-By – Norma Toney
2:33
A5 Thank God You're My Lady
Producer, Written-By – John Roach
3:47
B1 Love Is Missing From Our Lives
Lead Vocals – The Dells, The Dramatics
Producer, Written-By – Tony Hester
4:39
B2 Overnight (Something So Right Went So Wrong)
Producer – Don Davis
Written-By – James Dean, John Glover
3:25
B3 Gotta Get Home To My Baby
Producer – Don Davis
Written-By – Norma Toney
3:58
B4 The Power Of Love
Producer – Don Davis
Written-By – Lloyd Williams
3:21
B5 You Don't Care
Producer – Charles Stepney
Written-By – Larry Wade, Terry Callier
3:50
Label: Mercury – SRM-1-1059
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Whatever Turns You On
Composed By – Jimmy Levine, Lowrell Simon
4:15
A2 It Took A Woman Like You To Make A Man Out Of Me
Composed By – Jesse Boyce
4:58
A3 Whatever Turns You On
Composed By – Billy Ocean, Ken Gold
4:49
A4 How Can We Find The Love We Lost When We Don't Know How It Got Away
Composed By – Bobby Whiteside, Richard Parker
4:49
B1 Ain't It A Shame
Composed By – Dennis Williams, Eddie Levert, Walt Williams
4:56
B2 (Every Time I Hold You) Heaven's Just A Step Away
Composed By – Gloria Sklerov, Harry Lloyd, John Durrill, Steve H. Dorff
3:13
B3 Is It It
Composed By – Mauro Melavasi, Paul Slade
4:09
B4 Stay In My Corner
Composed By – Barrett Strong, Bobby Miller, Wayde Flemons
6:24
Label: 20th Century Fox Records – T-633
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Disco