Next month,I'm seeing The Delfonics in concert,so I've been playing their old albums alot lately.Their 1968 debut album 'La La Means I Love You' is a soul music masterpiece.Lush,dreamy and warm,this is the type of genuine soul music that you wish would make a comeback.Every song on this album is fantastic....the remake of "The Shadow Of Your Smile" is haunting and hypnotic..."Can You Remember" is simply unforgettable (no pun intended).Notably,this excellent song was later covered by the Jackson Five on their debut album,and a young Michael claimed that the Delfonics are his "favorite group".The remake of Little Anthony and The Imperials' "Hurts So Bad" is another highlight....a little faster than the original,but just as effective.This album boasted three big hits in the title track,"I'm Sorry" and "Break Your Promise".Thankfully,this CD (and the two follow-up albums) was remastered a few years ago and the sound is just incredible.

Great song but I like Hey Love better. 'La La Means I Love You' is good though.

Prince's cover is my favorite

Rinluv said:

me too...

MikeMatronik said:

Yes..

He did justice to this song....

AS MUCH AS I LOVE PRINCE IMO THE DELPHONICS VERSION WAS MUCH BETTER....

tonyat said:

s.a.r.c.a.s.m.

Rinluv said:

"Hey Love" is one of the sexiest slow jams of all time....lush and dreamy,the perfect song for a night of romance

Hey Rip...what are your thoughts on this album?

Down is up, up is down is the cut

DavidEye said:

I love this album! How did I miss this thread? The Delfonics are, in my opinion, the best of the male vocal groups. To me, their sound is sweeter and richer than better known groups (to the pop listener, anyhow) like The Temptations and The Four Tops. Thom Bell really was one of the R&B greats. His production and songwriting was outstanding. Gamble and Huff are right up there, but my preference is for Bell.

I'm Sorry is a great opening track. I love the French horn that punctuates the "Tra la la, la la la la." Simple and beautiful. My favorite Delfonics track follows that one - Break Your Promise. It's the best of Philly Soul and Motown all rolled in one. The guitar is classic Motor City, but that full string section speaks for itself. And the lyrics? Heartbreaking!

If I had a dime for every time,
I dreamed about you
(dreamed about you)
I'll tell you no joke yes I'm really broke baby without you (girl without you)
and oh ho ho
tell me what should I do
when you tell me that you love me, darling

(Are you gonna break your promise baby)
you said that you love me
(Are you gonna break your promise to me)
and now you're actin' so strange
(Are you gonna break your promise baby)
you said that you need me
(Are you gonna break your promise to me)

If I saw you with somebody new, I'd be so helpless (be so helpless)
so tell me what are you gonna do, don't leave me breathless (leave me breathless)
and oh ho ho
tell me what should I do
when you tell me that you love me, darling

(Are you gonna break your promise baby)
You said that you love me
(Are you gonna break your promise to me)

Tell me what should I do
when you tell me that you love me, darling

(Are you gonna break your promise baby)
you said that you love me
(Are you gonna break your promise to me)
now you're actin' so strange, baby
(Are you gonna break your promise baby)
you said that you need me
(Are you gonna break your promise to me)

Even the weak song on the set - a cover of Alfie - is commendable. It's not that it's bad; in fact, the production and vocals are superb (and I love flourish of the plucked strings). It's just that the song has been covered to death! On the other hand, their cover of Hurt So Bad is a standout. And then there's La La Means I Love You. Really, what more can be said about that song that hasn't already been written time and again? It deserves every ounce of praise it's ever received. It's a true classic!


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[Edited 2/15/06 7:38am]

I like the Delfonics version but I also like the Jackson 5 version, I think it was on their first album. I have never heard Prince's version.

I hate this song It's mainly the chorus of it that gets to me. I kinda like the first verse though....but after that.....sheer hate.

whatsgoingon said:

Good pick, Eye. Dig this song. My fave from The Delfonics. Great chorus and good chord changes. I can see why P picked this one to re-do. I very much dig the J5's version as well.

AnckSuNamun said:

Aw, I was falling in Org love with you, but now you crush me. Just for that...

RipHer2Shreds said: