The Continental IV<div hidden>The Continental 4 The Continental Four</div>
The Continental IV formed as a soul vocal quartet in the early 1970s from the Camden, New Jersey area, known for their sweet falsetto harmonies and Philly soul influences.
The group consisted of lead singer Freddie Kelly, who provided the distinctive falsetto, brothers Larry McGregor and Ronnie McGregor, and Anthony Burt (sometimes listed as Burke). Freddie Kelly has passed away, while the other members were reported alive and well in later accounts.
Discovered by producer Bobby Martin, a key figure in the Philly Sound, they recorded at Harrisburg, PA's Soulville label via the Jay-Walking imprint. Their 1971 single "Day By Day (Every Minute of the Hour)" peaked at number 19 on the Soul charts, marking their biggest hit. They performed at venues like the Apollo Theater and shared stages with major acts, earning praise for their live acapella and full-band performances.
Produced by talents like Bobby Martin and Norman Harris, standout tracks include "I Don't Have You" (with music by Martin) and others like "Don't Turn Around." Their sound drew interest from Gamble & Huff, but internal label battles reportedly shifted focus to rivals like The Stylistics, shortening their major-label run. They released at least one album and remained popular in the Tri-State area.
Dream World
Written-By – Allan Felder, Norman Harris
2:58
A2 Nite Moods
Written-By – Robert L. Martin
4:58
A3 I Don't Have You
Written-By – Saundra McGregor
2:47
A4 Escape From Planet Earth
Written-By – Robert L. Martin
4:13
A5 Take A Little Time (To Know Me)
Written-By – Robert L. Martin
3:18
B1 Day By Day (Every Minute Of The Hour)
Written-By – Robert L. Martin, Eugene Lemon
2:58
B2 Heaven Must Have Sent You
Written-By – Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
2:55
B3 How Can I Pretend
Written-By – Thomas Keith
2:57
B4 The Love You Gave To Me
Written-By – Robert L. Martin
2:43
Label: Jay-Walking – JWL 1020
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Philly
The Continental IV Dream World album is a highly-regarded, yet often overlooked, Philly Soul classic known for its lush harmonies, ethereal falsetto lead vocals (by Freddie Kelly), and exquisite orchestration, featuring standout tracks like the sublime "(You're Living In) A Dream World," "Day By Day," and a great cover of The Elgins' "Heaven Must Have Sent You". Reviewers praise its timeless quality, calling it essential listening for fans of 70s sweet soul, despite its initial rarity.
The group's signature is Freddie Kelly's distinctive, angelic falsetto, often compared favorably to other great soul leads.
Produced by Philly maestros like Bobby Martin and Norman Harris, it embodies the sweet, orchestrated sound of the era.
Standout Tracks: "(You're Living In) A Dream World," "Day By Day (Every Minute of the Hour)," "Escape From Planet Earth," and "How Can I Pretend" are frequently mentioned as highlights.
While not as commercially huge as contemporaries, it's considered a masterpiece of the genre, gaining new appreciation through reissues.
Critics and collectors consistently rate the album highly, typically between 4.5 and 5 stars on enthusiast sites. While the group never achieved the mainstream success of their contemporaries, the album is celebrated for its consistent quality from start to finish.
Overall, fans and critics adore Dream World for its pure soulfulness, beautiful arrangements, and emotional depth, recognizing it as a hidden gem that perfectly captures the magic of 70s soul music. It's considered a must-have for collectors of Philly Soul and sweet harmony groups.