The Three Degrees Expanded Edition

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.

There's nothing quite like classic soul re-released on CD. After Philadelphia International Records had established itself with early hits from the O'Jays, Billy Paul, and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, the debut release of the Three Degrees in 1973 was the label's first release by a female group. I was unaware that the timeless classic "When Will I See You Again" was the third single release from the record. The Three Degrees may have been the most underrated act on the label. The ladies had a wonderful sound and vocal blend together, which they demonstrate through all of the songs written for them on this record.There is a lot of great music on this record besides their classic single "When Will I See You Again". "Dirty Ol' Man", the first single released, was perfect for the discos, and it was a great decision to add an extended mix of this song to this reissue. I also really liked "I Didn't Know". Those were my favorite uptempo songs on the recording.I don't think the ladies ever really got their "props" on the ballad numbers that they did. "A Woman Needs A Good Man" and "If And When" are both examples of great songs, great orchestral arrangements and beautiful, well blended singing. I found "If And When" to have a very creative arrangement.Adding both "TSOP" and "Love Is The Message" to this reissue was also a great decision by the reissue's producers.This CD is definitely the best example of the softer, feminine side of the Philly Sound, and it should be a must for any Philly Soul fan!

I believe all that is good about "When Will I See You Again" and the Three Degrees has already been written not only in this website but in others as well. That gives me the chance to explain why I chose and searched the internet for this particular version of the recording.It was my first few weeks in Chicago when one day I heard this song for the first time over the car radio while driving alone on Lakeshore Drive. The music, the voices and the singing style of the girls stirred some emotion in me so inexplicable that all I can say is that particular version got imprinted in my mind like no other songs or music I know. Why? I wish I knew. May be it was bewilderment or bewitchment or enchantment or magic. Since then every time I hear the song I feel an awful nostalgia. The Lakeshore Drive and the Chicago buildings up ahead (especially the John Hancock Bldg.) all come back to memory.I was about their age when The Three Degrees recorded the song but it was only recently when I had this irresistible impulse to hear the song again. In a two hour parade of songs of the 70's on the local TV, "When Will I See You Again" by the Three Degrees was not in the long line up. I could only ask: Why? The next thing I knew I was searching the internet for the 'original' version of the song - the one I heard for the first time.

I have been a fan of this group since the early 70s and it is so nice to see this wonderful album come to life again on CD. Having the Tom Moulton 12" mix included is reason enough to purchase this, but it is complete with the TSOP hit, as well. I am amazed that this group did not have huge success in the US other than the one big hit. "Can't you see what you're doing to me" is such a standout and could easily have been a Top 40 if promoted. Same for "Year of Decision". Superb CD...highly recommended. Others to check out:  3d (Three D) and  New Dimensions

This CD "The Three Degrees" Expanded Edition is excellent. I enjoyed all the songs on this particular. I love the music of The Three Degrees - they remind me of the good-old fashioned disco/funky music of the 70's and 80's and the CD that I purchased was fabulously fantastic. I have been playing the songs on this CD very frequently. I did also purchased "The Three Degrees - New Dimensions" and it was also absolutely adorable - the songs on this particular CD were similarly fantastic - I have been enjoying both CD's enormously. Thank you very much. Rhejji Jay

Liked that it is a remastered edition of the original vinyl LP that I had years ago. Took a while to find this particular edition. Found rerecorded copies, but they just were not the same.

I have the LP version of this. I decided that I wanted the CD version of it that I could play in my car. Yes, I know. I am older and still play CD's as opposed to MP3's. This CD was affordable and arrived on time. Thank you for the convenience.

This album is awesome. Every song is nicely arrange and produced. Highlights for me are "Can't You See What You Are Doing to Me," "I Like Being a Woman," Dirty Old Man" and "When Will I See You Again." Their harmonies are so tight!

The Three Degrees was the 1974 debut album by the outstanding trio. The best songs on it are brilliant, including the opening Dirty Ol' Man, which has the most incredibly extended melody. It is real frisson territory, even thought the subject seems a little odd given the elation of the music. They seem to be telling this man to keep his hands off, that they are `not old enough' - which really makes it sound as if they are underage, unless it's that he is quite elderly - and that he is married as well. In other words it is all quite sordid, yet the music could hardly be more joyous! Such are the absurdities of pop - but it is best to overlook all this, because it is so irresistibly catchy. It is surpassed, if anything, by another track, If And When: one of the best songs of the seventies, I think. There is an incredible impact in this song, and the singing is perfect, very sustained and heartfelt, led by the inimitable Sheila Ferguson. The most popular number was probably When Will I See You Again. The sexual politics aren't all they might be in some songs, with the girls seeming far too submissive to their men in A Woman Needs A Good Man and I Like Being A Woman, but perhaps this should be put down to the era and disregarded. The packaging comes with many photos and substantial notes on the group, as well as bonus tracks and remixes. The cover continues the sense of absurdity with a photo evoking The Arabian Nights, while on the back the covered look is exchanged for see-through dresses. The album is a complete one-off.

Had this on cassette when it first came out. Don't know what happened to it, but I couldn't play it now anyway. Great to hear it again, especially the unedited versions. Can't You See What You're Doing To Me has to be one of the best B sides ever. Excellent booklet with lots of information, and some very saucy photos! Every track is superb. I never tire of hearing When Will I See You Again. 8 of the original 9 tracks were A or B sides on singles. The exception was the 7 min If And When, and both the song and singing are quite magnificent. Sound on this remastered issue is very good, apart from a little "muddiness" on If and When and Year of Decision, but maybe thats down to my CD player.I already have the 3 bonus tracks. The Tom Moulton Mix of Dirty Old Man can be found on Philadelphia International Classics : The Tom Moulton Remixes, which also has When Will I See You Again and Year Of Decision, and I thoroughly recommend this cd too.

This is a fantastic. Sophisticated Philly soul at its best. Originally released in 1973. The Three Degrees were far more successful in the UK that at home in the States. Every track on this album is awesome. The trademark close harmonies of the Three Degrees are sublime. Sound quality is good. The additional tracks are the icing on a very rich cake!

The Three Degrees ..THIS HAS TAKEN FAR TO LONG TO BE RELEASED ON TO CD, BUT IT WAS WORTH THE VERY LONG WAIT. MY LP VERSION HAS BEEN PLAYED TO DEATH, I THINK.....LOL. EVERY TRACK ON THIS 3D CD IS JUST STUNNING AND YOU WILL NOT FIND ONE TO DISLIKE, FROM WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN...YEAR OF DECISION...DIRTY OL' MAN, THE TRACK IF AND WHEN''' HAS NEVER BEEN SUNG BY ANY ARTIST BETTER THAN THE 3D, ITS JUST A GEM. IF YOU WANT TO HEAR GREAT SINGING BY ANY FEMALE GROUPS, WHO CUT THERE TEETH IN THE OLD WAYS, THEN GET THIS CD AND JUST SIT BACK AND LISTEN........I SAY NO MORE...................ENJOY The Three Degrees

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS " THE THREE DEGREES " ever did , produced by GAMBLE & HUFF , this was also the start of their worldwide success , all over Europe , the FAR EAST , South Africa , Australia ! ! Europe gave them their first number one hit with DIRTY OL' MAN , When will i see you again reached platinum all over the world , today the group is 50 years in show business , still going strong , they released a new album on the soul music records label from DAVID NATHAN ! the album called " STRATEGY OUR TRIBUTE TO PHILADELPHIA " a must for every Soul fan .