The
Platinum & Gold Collection
is a strong, concise package of the original
Delfonics
biggest hits. Original here refers to the package of
Randy Cain
with brothers
William
and
Wilbert Hart
along with producer
Thom Bell
. The songs here, like the dreamy
"La-La (Means I Love You),"
angelic
"Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time),"
and the equally parenthetical, dreamy and angelic
"Ready or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide From Love)"
helped point the way for '70s
soul
as part of the blue print for the
Philly soul
sound. The partnership would fracture with
Cain
leaving and demand for
Bell
's production leading him to other vocal groups, but one of the cornerstones of
rests on the early works of
the Delfonics
. There are more complete collections, but
Platinum & Gold
is a solid economic survey and a great introduction to this sweet
group. ~ Wade Kergan