The Dells
View on Discogs
View on Wikipedia
Album Summary
By 1973, The Dells were deep in their creative stride, having long established themselves as one of the most soulful vocal groups Chicago ever gave the world. Released on Cadet — the jazz and soul imprint of Chess Records — 'The Dells' arrived during a period when the group was pushing their rich, layered sound into the smoother, more polished soul territory of the early seventies. Featuring the full ensemble of Verne Allison, Chuck Barksdale, Marvin Junior, Mickey McGill, Johnny Carter, and Johnny Funches, the album showcased the kind of deep harmonic interplay that only a group with their decades of togetherness could pull off. Cadet provided the perfect home for a record that sat comfortably between classic soul balladry and the warm, lush production sensibilities of the era.
Reception
- Detailed chart and critical reception data specific to this 1973 Cadet release is not reliably documented in the historical record, and no specific chart positions or reviews can be verified for this album.
- The Dells maintained a loyal and devoted following throughout the early seventies, and releases during this period were generally well-received within the soul and R&B community.
- The album's intimate, harmony-driven approach was consistent with the sound that had earned the group enduring respect among fans of classic Chicago soul.
Significance
- The album stands as a document of The Dells' remarkable longevity — a six-man vocal group still firing on all cylinders over a decade into their career, demonstrating the staying power of genuine harmonic craft in an evolving soul landscape.
- Released on the storied Cadet label, the record connects The Dells to one of Chicago's most important musical lineages, situating them within a tradition of sophisticated, label-supported Black soul artistry.
- Tracks like 'My Pretending Days Are Over' and 'Don't Make Me A Storyteller' reflect the group's ability to blend emotional vulnerability with vocal elegance, qualities that defined the more introspective, album-oriented soul of the early seventies.
Tracklist
-
A1 Let The Feeling Talk To You —
7:04
-
A2 I Miss You —
4:24
-
A3 My Pretending Days Are Over —
4:04
-
A4 Let's Make It Last —
4:09
-
B1 I Hear Voices —
9:26
-
B2 If You Move I'll Fall —
4:55
-
B3 Don't Make Me A Storyteller —
4:12
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.
