NEW RELEASES – THE DELLS, THE THREE DEGREES, THE TRAMMPS

THE DELLS – ONE STEP CLOSER (WITH BONUS TRACKS)

An 80s effort from The Dells – who may be one step further away from the benchmark 70s era – but they're still sounding plenty darn sweet on One Step Closer! The album has top-shelf production from the team of Marvin Yancy and Chuck Jackson, who also handled a good deal of the arrangements on the set. There's a strength here that's undeniable – a way of putting over a tune that has The Dells really building on all their years together, and not giving into any sort of commercial tricks or gimmicks to change with the times. And even though some of the instrumentation is a bit more contemporary, the vocals are still totally great – very old school in their approach to a tune, and crafted with a real love for a classic-styled harmony! Titles include "One Step Closer", "Love On", "You Just Can't Walk Away", "Holdin On", "I Am Your Man", "Jody", "Don't Want Nobody", and "Come On Back To Me". 3 bonus tracks on this CD edition: "You Just Can't Walk Away (US Single Edit)", "One Step Closer (US Single Edit)" and "One Step Closer (US Remix Club Version)". ~ Dusty Groove





THE THREE DEGREES – STANDING UP FOR LOVE (WITH BONUS TRACKS)

A sweet late 70s set from The Three Degrees – who've moved on over to CBS/Epic after their hot streak at Philly International – with a bit more of an expansive sound than usual! They're still working in a core Philly mode with recording at Sigma Sound and arrangements by Richard Rome – but also with tunes that hit a growing range of more sophisticated, adult-oriented themes. The trio are clearly out to show that they're not just a dancefloor act here – as the album features some sensitive ballads – and those are done beautifully! The Three Degrees are Sheila Ferguson, Valerie Holiday and the returning Helen Scott on this relatively overlooked, though solid record – which includes the slightly funky "Macaroni Man", plus "People With Feeling", "What I Did For Love", "We're All Alone", "Gee Baby", "Standing Up For Love", and "In Love We Grow" and "Just Leave Me Alone". 3 bonus tracks on this CD version: "Toast Of Love (Single Version – Non Album)", "Do It (Use Your Mind) (Single Version)" and "Standing Up For Love (Single Version)". ~ Dusty Groove .

THE TRAMMPS – DEFINITIVE COLLECTION

The full range of greatness from the Trammps – key gems from their years on Buddah, Atlantic, and Philly International Records – nearly every one of them a non-stop groover throughout! The Trammps were one of the most unique groups on the Philly scene of the 70s – a great harmony outfit like some of their contemporaries, but geared up for the dancefloor right from the start – with a soaring, soulful vibe that was crucial to the development of the disco sound at the time! They really hit the heights with some cuts in the latter half of the decade – yet always managed to come across with the well-honed group soul focus of their roots. This 34 track package offers up the Trammps in all their greatness – and titles include "Trained Eye", "Groove All Mighty", "Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart", "Trammps Disco Theme (Tom Moulton mix)", "Starvin", "Body Contact Contract", "Hold Back The Night", "Love Epidemic (Tom Moulton mix)", "Mellow Out", "VIP", "Music Freek", "Love Magnet", and "Soul Bones". ~ Dusty Groove