The Delfonics – Tell Me This Is A Dream

With "The Delfonics" last album ("Self Titled") being a HUGE success off the back of the groups BIGGEST HIT, "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)", you would think that the group would have continued to build of that MONSTER of an album...Unfortunately, that didn't happen....

The MAIN reason? "Thom Bell" left....

I don't know if it was internal strife with Record Owner, "Stan Watson", or more attractive offers...Remember, soon, "Bell" would go on to Produce Classics with "The Stylistics" and "The Spinners"....He would also begin working with "Kenny Gamble" and "Leon Huff" at "Philadelphia International Records", to help shape "The Philly Soul Movement"....

So, where does that leave "The Delfonics"? Well, along with "Stan Watson", the group decided to solder on and release, "Tell Me This Is A Dream"...For this to work (even with "Thom Bell" leaving), Arranger "Caldwell MacMillan" was brought into the mix....

At first it paid off MAJOR dividends with the Ultimate Crown Jewel, "Hey Love"....This BOMB sounded like the group wasn't missing "Thom Bell" AT ALL!!!!! This time "Wilbert Hart" was allowed to Write the groups compositions, so as to continue to display the groups personality....Again, like MOST of the groups Classics, this was sampled and referenced SO MANY times!!!!!!

"I'm A Man" (this one Arranged by "Norman Harris") was a BOLDER statement....Again, the group was determined to prove that they didn't need "Thom Bell"....With the "Hart" Brothers trading Lead Vocals, this Crown Jewel should have been a single in my opinion!!!!

The next Crown Jewel, "Too Late" should have also been a single!!!!!! The Melody, again Arranged by "MacMillan", this "Wilbert Hart" song could not be DENIED!!!!!

"William Hart" comes in with the composition "Love You Till I Die"....It is nice, with a nice Melody.....The problem is that the Vocal Melody sounds a little off on this one to me....Maybe because of the FANATSTIC Music, I will give it another chance....

The group bounce back nicely with the Crown Jewel, "Looking For A Girl"....Written again by "William", this one sounds like it could have been on the groups FANATSTIC "Self Titled" album!!!!!! Again, this one sounds like it didn't need "Thom Bell".....

"Written by "Allan Felder" and "Norman Harris", "Walk Right Up To The Sun" was another Crown Jewel BOMB!!!!!! Surely remembering what was done with "Thom Bell", the group sounds FLAWLESS here!!!!!! The Melody is PURE "Delfonics"!!!!! As with MOST of their Classics, this was referenced and sampled countless times....Most noted, "Nas's" "Hip Hop Classic", "If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)", featuring "Ms. Lauryn Hill", again showing "Hill's" ability to use the groups personality as inspiration....

"Wilbert" comes back with "Round And Round"...Again, the group hasn't lost not one step here....The Musical changes, along with Musical Melody and Vocals are just RIGHTEOUS!!!!! What a Crown Jewel!!!!!!!!

The next Crown Jewel "Baby I Miss You", makes me VERY HAPPY that I have this on 45!!!!!!! This one has PURE Drama!!!!! "William's' Rap to his Lady is FIRE, making this sound so INFECTIOUS!!!!!!

I honestly don't know why "Delfonics Theme" was on here....The other version was on the groups "Self Titled" album...I guess because this one has the Lyrics on this one, it was decided to be put on here....I personally would have LOVE to have how it was done on the "Self Titled" album, and have it combined with this version!!!!! Yes, I know, I am WIRED VERY DIFFERENTLY!!!!!

The closing "Title Track" is "Delfonics' through and through!!!!! Another Crown Jewel Written by "William", again the groups personality is on display...The Vocals combines with Melody PERFECTLY!!!!!!!

Well, at least right here it seemed like "Thom Bell" wasn't needed...But even if that is the case, a strange thing happened...Group member "Randy Cain" left right after Recording this album...It was never said why, it just what it was!!!!! With that "Cain" was quickly replaced with "Major Harris".....

So, even though I can't prove it, I kind of fell like "Bell" was the GLUE to everything going on with "The Delfonics"....I only say that because things really started going down hill from here...I mean HONESTLY, think about it, why would "Cain" leave right in the mist of Recording this VERY GOOD album?!?!?!?!

Well, be that as it may, at least right here, "The Delfonics" were able to continue success!!!!!!!

I have a copy that appears to be this “Bestway” pressing, but the “Distribution by” line that runs along the bottom curve of the label is different (and much shorter). My label says “Distributed By Amy (illegible word/image, followed by an image of a bell) records N.Y.C.” (in all CAPS)
Anyone else with same/similar variant?

Surpringsly good pressing with good dynamics and bass. My copy is dead flat. Recommended if you can´t find a clean original pressing.

This was a 2013 reissue, as the label from my purchase shows "Apr/13"

i've got two other Delfonics re-issues and this one is totally off centered and pitchy. The cover is nice but would not recommend for the sound quality.