Search - The Three Degrees :: The Three Degrees [Expanded Edition]

The second time, but still not from US

blue | NY | 03/24/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The album which made The Three Degrees an international star is put on CD for the second time. In '95, it was reissued in Japan.

For US soul music fans, it may be hard to believe, but they were the most popular Philly international label act internationally. This album was the begining of their Golden era with Sheila, Valerie and the sole original member Fayette.



Starting their music career in '63, they finally had a national hit "Maybe"(soulful remake of the Chantels' hit) in '70 on Roulette label. After a few other minor hits, they moved to Philly International and released this album produced by Gamble & Huff.



*Dirty Ol Man

In US, this gem written by Gamble & Huff surprisingly did not do much, but its remix by Tommy Moulton became a club hit. On the other hand, In Europe, especially Netherlands and Belgium, and in Japan it was a big hit. I think musically this is like a female version of O'Jays' "Back Stabbers", both of them feature very strong two lead vocals, Sheila & Valerie for this one. It is also infamous for being banned by BBC probably because its lyric seems to suggest that a middle aged married guy is seducing an under aged girl. It remaines as their fans favorite along with "When Will I see You Again."



*Can't You See What You're Doing to Me

This song features a very beautiful harmony and such a fluid melody, which sound very feminine along with MFSB's gorgeous strings. And I really believe that became the key to their international success. As there was almost no female act on Philly International before them, there is no doubt what Gamble & Huff tried to do with this album was to creat a feminine Philadelphia Sound, which unexpectedly had more appeal to average pop music fans in Europe & Japan.



*Woman Needs A Good Man

As the previous song, this features their tight harmony, but it has a much darker tone and a dramatic development. Towards the end, you hear a very soulful lead by Val.



*When Will I See You Again

This is the song, which was penned by Gamble & Huff, that gave them an international break through. In the early summer of '74, they won a Golden prize with this at Tokyo Music Festival, and soon after, it became a huge hit there. Then it spread like a wild fire all over the world. It made #2 in US in December of '74. The lyric echoes Shirelles' "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", but the everything is much more sophisticated and sexy with a smooth lead vocal by Sheila.



*I Didn't know

On this follow up single to "WWISYA" in US, Val and Sheila shared the lead vocals. And they made an appearance on TV hit show "Sanford & Son" with singing this.



*I Like Being A Woman

It is a cute song but also it was a bit controversial one because of its lyric, which says "I don't wanna be your equal, I just wanna be a part of you", obviously it was against its time's woman's liberation movement. But again, that shows the focus of Gamble & Huff for this production was the feminine Philly Soul.



*If and When

This is the most soulful and dramatic song on this album, with Sheila and Val's shared lead vocals. The revolutionary invention of Gamble & Huff was how to mix soulful vocals of Black singers with the symphonic orchestration sounds with beautiful strings. And Gamble & Huff used all the methods and theories they invented for their previous works with O'jays, Bluenotes, Intruders and Billy Paul for this song. Pay all your attentions to the details, especially how vocals move in the space created with the big orchestration. Piladelphia Sound was not the easy listening version of the Soul music, but it was the very sophisticated fusion of very different music styles and elements.



*Year of The Decision

Val's lead sounds great on this uplifting message song penned by Gamble & Huff. Their second single from this album and cracked into UK Top 20 before "WWISYA"



Bonus Tracks:

*TSOP

MFSB's US #1 hit featuring Three Degrees' vocals. It became the famous theme song of the hit TV show "Soul Train"



*Love is The Message

MFSB's single version features Three Degrees' vocals, which was a hit in Japan. Much longer, extended version is still played in New York's dance clubs.



*Dirty Ol Man (Tom Moulton Disco Remix)

Unfortunately it was not successful on the US pop or soul chart, which was almost absurd, but the legendary Tom Moulton created the great remix version which became one of dance club people's favorite philly hits.



Lastly I really have to mention on this album cover as well. What the Three Degrees did was to reach the music audience in Europe, Japan and other parts of the world, who usually had not listened to American Black music.

And their great looks, as you see on this cover, was the big help to accomplish that. In many parts of this world, Three Degrees changed the stereo type images about the Black women because these ladies did not look like anything people had seen before. In US, they are remembered as so-called one hit wonder. However, they truly deserved to be recognized as the Soul music ambassador to the world with this album.

"

One classic Philly album.

Eric Robinson | DETROIT, MI | 04/18/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Three Degrees were one of the most sexiest and talented female groups of all time. I'm so glad that somebody took the liberty of finally releasing this classic album on disc. Another Leon Huff and Kenny Gamble excellent recording."

Amazing Philly soul

barry | Boston, MA United States | 06/23/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cd is an awesome example of how disco was not a truly terrible music period and that when fused with other styles it could produce pure magic. Many will look at the set list here ands see two things - the hit single WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN and the huge TSOP by MFSB which featured The Three Degrees. But what we really have here is the debut US album by the queens of Philly soul who managed to merge heavenly soul and r@b with disco to produce harmonies and tracks that were mesmerizing. The opening DIRTY OL MAN is stupendous and was a huge dance hit. Other gems here are CAN'T YOU SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO ME, A WOMAN NEEDS A GOOD MAN and the totally overlooked masterpiece IF AND WHEN that should have been another huge hit. Their harmonies blend perfectly on every track but here they manage to even add a touch of rock to their style. Of course due to the time period we do have one very dated track and it is the silly I LIKE BEING A WOMAN. But it is such fun to hear it and see how it fit in during that time in music's history.



This cd is digitally remastered for superb sound quality and has great bonus tracks and liner notes. There are certain albums that show a time period in all it's glory. Here we have a uniquely talented female group with exsquisite harmonies. They represented Philly soul at its finest and this cd is a must for any music historian or fan of the genre. When music is good it is good and these ladies are great and this set provides a superb listening experience."