The Dells [2022] - The Philadelphia Re​-​edit Sessions [Simpson Uniquity] (Full Album)

If you recall a couple of weeks ago I posted a compilation of Paul Simpson re-edits of Joe Simon's Gamble & Huff material "The Philadelphia Re-edit  Sessions" which was only to be available for two weeks. Yeah right, marketing hype, you probably thought, as I did, but indeed they are no longer available.

Simpson has done another set, this time of The Dells material produced by Norman Harris and Ron Tyson, also called "The Philadelphia Re​-​edit Sessions" which again is only available for two weeks, so if you want it make sure you grab it.

It consists of nine tracks and I'll post the track listing as I didn't with the Joe Simon release and now don't remember what all the tracks were!

1/ Get on down (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 05:17

2/ Rich man, poor man (Peace) Paul Simpson Re-edit 06:36

3/Teaser (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 04:08

4/ Our love (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 05:05

5/ Don't trick me, treat me (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 05:37

6/ They said it couldn't be done (But we did it) Paul Simpson Re-edit 06:06

7/ God helps those (Who help themselves) Paul Simpson Re-edit 05:55

8/ Love connection (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 06:17

9/ How can one man be so lucky (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 05:09

All of the tracks are from from their 1977 Mercury period from their last two (of three) albums for the label "They Said It Couldn't Be Done" and "Love Connection"

A couple of the obvious standouts are "Our Love" and "Don't Trick Me Treat Me"

Only available via Bandcamp and only until 14 Feb 2022.

Details

Rating:	8.7
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Simpson Uniquity
Cat No:	None
Date:	01/02/2022
Value:	$6.99

The Dells v Terry Callier [1972] - Just As Long As We're In Love [Cadet # 5694 / 50019]

As it's still pretty dire on the new release front I'll continue trawling the catalogue of Cadet records.

"Just As Long As We're In Love" is a song written by Terry Callier with his writing partner Larry Wade released on his debut Cadet album "Color Of Love" (1972). It was released as a single by The Dells.

The Dells [1968] - Make Sure (You Have Someone Who Loves You) [Cadet #5631]

I'm having a break from drudging thorough the myriad of mediocre new releases to regain some sanity. 

You may have seen the final instalment of Richard Searling's Hot 100 Modern Soul 45s posted yesterday. This is one by The Dells, "Make Sure (You Have Someone Who Loves You)" which, in my view, that he missed although he did feature a Dells track at #26 "It's All Up To You" so I guess he was limiting it to only one recording per artist.

Released in 1968 on Cadet as the flip side to  "Does Anybody Know I'm Here".

The Dells are one of (if not 'the') longest running groups in history with the same members. They have released albums for 6, and singles for 5, decades between 1955 and 2002. Undoubtedly their 'golden' period was between 1967-74. Their last hit album was 'Second Time' in 1988 and single 'Oh My Love' was released in 1992.

They originally formed in 1952 as The El-Rays, consisting of Mickey & Lucius McGill, Marvin Junior, Verne Allison Johnny Funches and Chuck Barksdale.  

Lucius McGill left around 1954 leaving a quintet. In 1955 they changed their name to The Dells. The line-up remained the same, until Funches was replaced by Johnny Carter, who was a founding member of The Flamingos, in 1960. That line-up remained until the death of Carter (aged 75) in 2009. 

The group continued to perform until 2012 when the ill health of Marvin Junior and Chuck Barksdale forced the group to retire. Marvin Junior died in 2013 aged 77 and Barksdale in  2019 aged 84.  The original member who left in 1960, Johnny Funches, died in 1998 aged 62.

As far as I am aware the three surviving members are alive and will now be in their mid 80s (85/86).

The Dells [2021] - The Paper (Ferdinand Debeaufort Extended Mix) [Self Released]

I just happened to hear this on the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show at the weekend so thought I'd try and find it and discovered that it's available for free download on SoundCloud.

It's a 7:12 minute 'beefed up' rework by French DJ/producer Ferdinand Debeaufort of The Dells 1980 modern soul classic 'All About The Paper' which was written by Lowrell (Mellow Mellow) Simon and Clarence McDonald. The other side of The Dells' original was 'I Touched A Dream' which was a #17 R&B hit.

It's been available since 15 Apr 2021.

Check out his SoundCloud channel as there's some other interesting stuff there. I found a version of Ollie Nightingale's marvellous 'I Don't Know Why I Love' which he has titled 'In Your Smile'. I sounds like he's mashed Lynn White's version and Ollie Nightingales together as there are female vocals on his version which aren't on the original. NB I posted both versions last year.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Ferdinand Debeaufort · The Paper ///3K Free Download

Details

Rating:	8.2
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	16/04/2021
Key:	2B
BPM:	121
Value:	£1

Billy Ocean v The Dells - Whatever Turns You On

A song co-written by Billy Ocean and Ken Gold and covered by The Dells on their album of the same name in 1981.

Billy Ocean [1981] - Whatever Turns You On [Epic #14-02485]

From the 1981 album 'Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)' and released as single on flip side to 'Another Day Won't Matter' (not released in UK).

The Dells [1981] - Whatever Turns You On [20th Century Fox #T-633]

The Dells v Loleatta Holloway - All About The Paper

This song was co-written by Lowrell Simon (The Vondells & The Lost Generation) and Clarence McDonald (who played keyboards on the recently demised Nolan Porter's album 'Nolan' as well as on many others).

Loleatta Holloway [1979] - All About The Paper [Gold Mind #GA 9504]

As far as I can ascertain this was an album only track from her self-titled 1979 album on Gold Mind. 

I feel that Loleatta Holloway was a vastly underrated talent, recording some wonderfully soulful material in the 70s and only got recoginition in her later years appearing as a soulful diva on many house recordings, she died in 2011 aged 64 (I will have to do a full feature on her in the future). She had a #1 hit as featured vocalist on Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch's 'Good Vibrations' in 1991 (Loleatta is featured in video link). Marky Mark was of course Mark Wahlberg who went on to become an 'A' list actor.

The Dells [1980] - All About The Paper [20th Century-Fox #TCD 112]

The Dells are one of (if not 'the') longest running groups in history with the same members. They have released albums for 6, and singles for 5, decades between 1955 and 2002. Undoubtedly their 'golden' period was between 1967-74. Their last hit album was 'Second Time' in 1988 and single 'Oh My Love' was released in 1992.

They originally formed in 1952 as The El-Rays, consisting of Mickey & Lucius McGill, Marvin Junior, Verne Allison Johnny Funches and Chuck Barksdale.  

Lucius McGill left around 1954 leaving a quinet. In 1955 they changed their name to The Dells. The line-up remained the same, until Funches was replaced by Johnny Carter, who was a founding member of The Flamingos, in 1960. That line-up remained until the death of Carter (aged 75) in 2009. 

The group continued to perform until 2012 when the ill health of Marvin Junior and Chuck Barksdale forced the group to retire. Marvin Junior died in 2013 aged 77 and Barksdale in  2019 aged 84.  The original member who left in 1960, Johnny Funches, died in 1998 aged 62.

As far as I am aware the three surving members are alive and will now be in their mid 80s (85/86).

Details

Format:	Album/Single
Media:	LP / 12" & 7"
Label:	Gold Mind / 20th Century Fox
Cat No:	GA 9504 / TCD 112
Year:	2021
Key:	11B / 2B
BPM:	112 / 121
Value:	£1

The Dells & Dramatics / Chuck Cissel - Love Is Missing From Our Lives

Just listening to this on Shaun Evans superb Triple S Show podcast by The Dells & The Dramatics.  If you're open minded and like deep, crossover and modern soul then I highly recommend Shaun's weekly soul show which he posts as a weekly 2 hour podcast on Mixcloud. 

Back to the record, whilst the Dells/Dramatics version is superb, so is Chuck Cissel's version which is album only released on his second, and last, album If I Had A Chance in 1982.

The song was written by Detroit Northern Soul legend Tony Hester, it just builds and builds to a crescendo of deep soul wonderfulness!

Hester left as far too early in 1980, aged only 37, and wrote so many songs adored on the scene, but his most successful commercial period was the early 70s with The Dramatics - Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get (1971 #3 R&B #9 Hot !00), In The Rain (1973 #1 R&B #5 Hot 100) and Hey You! Get Off My Mountain (1973 #5 R&B #43 Hot 100)

I'm not aware of anyone else covering this beautiful song. If you know of any others then please leave a comment.

The Dells & Dramatics [1975] - Love Is Missing From Our Lives [Cadet #CA 5710]

Features Ron Banks and Marvin Junior interchanging on lead.

It featured on The Dells Vs. The Dramatics album from 1974 in full 4:39 version and was also released on 45 as an edited 3:26 version.

Chuck Cissel [1982] - Love Is Missing From Our Lives [Arista #AL 9851]

Chuck Cissel's recording career was short spanning 1979-82, releasing 2 albums and a handful of singles.  He's probably best known for his disco hit Cisselin' Hot in 1979, the flip side 'Do You Believe' was played on the Modern soul scene.  The debut 45 released before this was 'Don't Tell Me Your Sorry' which has become a sought after item in more recent years, although has been played for a long time - I believe that Richard Searling played it in the later years of Wigan Casino, but it was much later before it became a big sound.  I was fortunate to find one years ago for the princely sum of 20p, but a copy now sells anywhere between £150-£200 such is the demand for it. It is a fine example of 70s Northern Soul.