Of all the groups originating out of Chicago the Dells clearly stand head and shoulders above the rest. Their status remains unquestionable as the greatest group to record for the legendary Chess label throughout the sixties and early seventies. One thing is certain, you could never cover up a song by the Dells as they are clearly a 'one heard, never forgotten' act, and quite rightly so, thus they have achieved superstar status amongst soul collectors world-wide. In simple terms there is no such thing as a bad Dells record.

This new 2 CD collection released in the UK on the 18th June 2007 presents a cross section of their most favourite sides for Chess, as well as a number of gems taken from their recordings for Mercury and 20th Century sessions during the late seventies. This compilation which is released thanks to veteran soul DJ/radio presenter for Manchester's Smooth Radio, Richard Searling who has teamed up with the group to produce this superb package. Opening with their monster northern soul dancers 'Run For Cover' and 'Thinkin' About You'  you just know your in for a good ride throughout. Searling quite rightly makes the point that the Dells' music reportoire covers every single type of music imaginable from R'n'B, Soul, Disco, Blues and jazz and their vocal style and attribributes are possibly the best this world has ever known.

Still together after five decades of recording their popularity amongst the UK collectors market was assured after a string of classic soul sides during the middle to late sixties where many of their sides commanded a slot on may influential club DJ's playlists. Take a listen at their marvellous side 'Make Sure (You Have Someone Who Loves You) to experience vocal harmonies at their very best - and even more so on the uplifting 'Believe Me' and you'll see where the Fifth Dimension cut their teeth.

The majority of these tracks ar elisted from previous albums 'There Is', and their 1999 Anthology on Hip-O Records whereas their later recordings during the 1980's are lifted from 'Passionate Breezes' and 'New Beginnings' and 'I Touched A Dream' amongst others. Born in 1952 (a year before I was born) and consisted of Marvin Junior, Mickey McGill, Verne Allison, and Chuck Barksdale together with Johnny cater who replaced the late Johnny Fuches this line up has remained unchanged in over half a century making history in the process.

The big Chicago production works best on the ballads of which a fine example can be found on their cover version of the 1967 hit by Procul Harum in 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' is a song that many a group would steer well clear from yet the Dells take it on in fine style and actually put some much needed soul into the song making it a sheer pleasure to listen to, building into an exciting climax before dropping back into the instrumental break with some neat guitar work and moving back into the mainstream song. This very song is to be released as a digital download at the specific request of the group.

The obvious favourite from this CD has to be the gorgeous 1973 hit 'Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation' complete with opening introduction to the band from the concert MC followed by rapturous applause from the audience, followed by an introduction by the band themselves before delivering the most spine chilling slice of Chicago soul you could ever wish for.

'I Touched A Dream' brings the band into the 1980's with a tune that has become a firm favourite on the modern soul scene. This is one song that represents all that is good about 'our' kind of music, and is one that will live on forever. It has a lovely production and vocal delivery that any rival soul/r'n'b act would kill for, which is always a stand out feature of the Dells and both lead and backing vocals from within the group always seem to get equal billing.

Those of you who enjoy the uptempo style will not be disappointed with the two included here yet real soul fans will go for quality rather than whether it can be danced to or not. 'Oh What A Night' opens with the bass voice of Chuck Barksdale (much in the same way as Melvin Franklin often did for the Temptations) before slipping into another gentle toe tapping piece of magic. 

In 1975 the Dells issued the superb 'We Got To Get Our Thing Together' a gentle mid tempo scorcher and a brave move by the record company at a time when 'disco' was the big thing that was breaking out all over the States and Europe, and most companies were tailoring their acts to meet the growing demand at dance floor level.

From the start to the finish this CD delivers in fine style. A lot of work from Richard Searling and Universal Music. An essential purchase.

Rating 10/10