The Dells Musical Menu / Always Together
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Album Summary
Released in 1968 on the storied Cadet label out of Chicago, 'The Dells Musical Menu / Always Together' arrived at a pivotal moment for one of soul music's most enduring vocal groups. The Dells — featuring the silky tenor of Johnny Carter, the deep anchor of Chuck Barksdale, the gritty fire of Marvin Junior, and the smooth contributions of Verne Allison, Mickey McGill, and Johnny Funches — had recently reunited and were finding their footing in a new, more lush and orchestrated sound. Cadet, a subsidiary of Chess Records, was at the time fostering some of the most sophisticated soul productions in the country, and this album placed The Dells squarely in that tradition, blending elegant arrangements with the raw emotional power that had always defined the group's vocal interplay.
Reception
- The album helped re-establish The Dells as a vital force in late-1960s soul, contributing to a commercial and artistic resurgence that would crest with their subsequent releases on Cadet.
- Critics and fans responded warmly to the group's ability to balance tender balladry with upbeat, groove-driven material across the album's ten tracks.
- The record reinforced Cadet's reputation as a home for sophisticated, orchestrated soul, with The Dells' multi-layered harmonies drawing consistent praise from soul music audiences.
Significance
- The album stands as an important transitional document in The Dells' career, capturing the group as they evolved from their doo-wop roots into a more fully realized, orchestrated soul sound that would define their late-1960s and 1970s output.
- As a Cadet release, the album is part of a remarkable body of Chicago soul recordings that helped bridge the gap between the rawer sounds of early 1960s R&B and the lush, string-laden productions that characterized the genre's late-decade sophistication.
- The vocal ensemble work across the album's ten tracks — particularly the interplay between Marvin Junior's rougher lead style and the smoother harmonies of his bandmates — showcases a depth of group vocal craft that influenced subsequent generations of soul and R&B acts.
Samples
- "Does Anybody Know I'm Here" — sampled by numerous hip-hop and R&B producers, this track became one of the most recognized samples from The Dells' catalog, with its emotional vocal hook and groove proving irresistible to beatmakers across multiple decades.
Tracklist
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A1 Always Together 145
3:04
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A2 Hallways Of My Mind 142
3:05
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A3 Believe Me 133
2:58
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A4 I Want My Momma 123
2:29
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A5 Agatha Van Thurgood 94
2:40
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B1 Hallelujah Baby 92
2:48
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B2 Good-bye Mary Ann 121
2:19
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B3 Does Anybody Know I'm Here 86
3:15
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B4 Make Sure (You Have Someone Who Loves You) 57
2:34
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B5 I Can't Do Enough 170
3:30
Artist Details
The Dells were a soulful American vocal group whose smooth harmonies and deep grooves carried the spirit of classic soul into the disco era, recording for 20th Century Fox Records with a sound that was equal parts heart and heat. Built around the rich vocal blend of Verne Allison, Chuck Barksdale, Marvin Junior, Mickey McGill, Johnny Carter, and Johnny Funches, this Chicago-rooted ensemble brought a seasoned elegance to the soul and disco styles that defined their work. Their music stood as a testament to the enduring power of group harmony, proving that true soul doesn't chase trends — it transcends them.
