The Delfonics: The Delfonics - 1970


Far more cohesive and appealing from The Delfonics is this album, rated by many critics as the group's best one. The production, while still concentrating on the strings, is much more balanced and the material is all original. 

Another big hit opens the album - it is the classic harmony-led number Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time), which is enhanced even more by its sweeping strings and strident horn section. Glorious. It is easily The Delfonics' best number.

They are unusually strident and poppy on the Funny Feeling which has a definite Motown feel to it, together with some very sixties "ba-ba-ba" backing vocals. When You Get Right Down To It is more in the group's usual style. On this one we get shared deep and high vocals, which works well. Baby I Love You is harmonious and attractive and while Delfonics Theme (How Could You) concentrates on the orchestration, it also has an appeal.

Trying To Make A Fool Of Me is a track that features a funkier, bassier more rhythmic backing that I like. Down Is Up, Up Is Down is a bit sixties hippy in its melody and doesn't really do it for me, however, despite a catchy drum sound. The final three, Over And Over, the pretty Think About Me and I Gave To You are all as we come to expect by now.

The Delfonics produced a few classic cuts, but, for me, despite their status as trail-blazers, have always remained second division in terms of consistent, quality output. Many subsequent groups were consistently better - The Chi-Lites, The Detroit Spinners, The Stylistics, Chairmen Of The Board, The O' Jays and Tavares to name just a few.

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