The Delfonics - 40 Classic Soul Sides [2CD Remastered Set] (2016)

In 2015, Sony catalog label Legacy issued The Essential Delfonics, an excellent 40-track anthology that covered the soul group's 1968-1972 output for Philly Groove and Bell. It was, unfortunately, a download-only release, but Real Gone corrected that problem the following year. 40 Classic Soul Sides features an identical track list and therefore contains a high percentage of cuts from La La Means I Love You (1968), Sound of Sexy Soul (1969), The Delfonics (1970), and Tell Me This Is a Dream (1972). Not everything here is truly classic, but it'd be petty to gripe about the title when the indisputable likes of "La-La Means I Love You," "Ready or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide from Love)," "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)," and all of the group's other notable recordings are within. (There are two non-album B-sides as well.) Real Gone didn't skimp on the packaging. The liner notes feature quotes from Delfonics leader Wilbert Hart, songwriter and producer Thom Bell, and session musician Bobby Eli, detailed track information, and full-page reproductions of the album covers. Short of obtaining individual reissues of all four albums, this is an ideal way to obtain the group's eternal Philly soul.