THREE DEGREES

Country:
USA
Genre:

Funk / Soul
Style:

Soul, Disco

Members:
Fayette Pinckney (1963-76), Shirley Poole (1963), Linda Turner (1963), Helen Scott-Leggins (1963-66, 1976-present), Janet Harmon (Jones) (1963-66), Sheila Ferguson (1966-86), Valerie Holiday (1967-present), Cynthia Garrison [Cynthia "Cindy" Beaufort] (1989-present)

VIDEO
"The Runner / Woman In Love" 1979
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL6cBMnyc98

THE THREE DEGREES (1973)

Tracklist:

01 Dirty Ol' Man (4:33)
02 Can't You See What You're Doing To Me (2:31)
03 A Woman Needs A Good Man (4:19)
04 When Will I See You Again (2:58)
05 I Didn't Know (2:50)
06 I Like Being A Woman (3:56)
07 If And When (7:07)
08 Year Of Decision (2:42)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/55411161/1973._192_kbs.rar.html

























SO MUCH IN LOVE (1974)

Tracklist:

01 Magic Mirror
02 Trade Winds
03 Love The One You're With
04 I Do Take You
05 Who Is She (And What Is She To You)
06 There's So Much Love All Around Me
07 Ebb Tide
08 Caught Between Two Fires
09 Maybe
10 If You Must Leave Your Life

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/55412241/1975_-_so_much_love_192_kbs.rar.html


INTERNATIONAL (1975)

Credits:
Arranged By - Bobby Martin (tracks:01,02,07, 08)/ John Davis (tracks 03, 06)/ Jack Faith (tracks 04,05) / Lenny Pakula (track 08, 09)Artwork By [Design] - Ed Lee Engineer - J. Mark* , Joe Tarsia Music By - MFSB Photography - Peter Lavery Producer - Gamble & Huff (tracks: 01 to 03, 06 to 10)/ Bruce Hawes (tracks 04, 05)

Tracklist:

01 Another Heartache (4:21)
02 Take Good Care Of Yourself (3:26)
03 Get Your Love Back (3:25)
04 Lonelier Are Fools (4:05)
05 Distant Lover (4:04)
06 Together (4:35)
07 Long Lost Lover (2:58)
08 Here I Am (3:58)
09 TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia) (3:45)
10 Loving Cup (3:09)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/55422379/international__192_kbs.rar.html

"Seminal work by Three Degrees -- stepping proudly here from their girl group roots, into a dramatic pre-disco mode that's clearly influenced by similar Philly work by First Choice. Music is by MFSB, arrangements are by Philly maestros like Bobby Martin and John Davis, and titles include "TSOP", "Loving Cup", "Get Your Love Back", "Long Lost Lover", "Take Good Care Of Yourself", "Another Heartache", and a cover of Marvin Gaye's "Distant Lover".



STANDING UP FOR LOVE (1977)

Tracklist:

01 Standing Up For Love
02 What I Did For Love (From The Musical "A Chorus Line")
03 Just Leave Me Alone
04 Macaroni Man0
5 Gee Baby (I'm Sorry)
06 People With Feeling
07 In Love We Grow
08 We're All Alone
09 Standing Up For Love

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/55432983/standing_up_192_kbs.rar.html

Standing Up for Love is a 1977 studio albums released by the American Philey soul group The Three Degrees. Having enjoyed a successful three year streak with Philapelphia International Records (PIR), it came as a surprise to the legions of fans, as well as the group themselves, when their manager Richard Barrett terminated their contract with PIR and signed The Three Degrees to a one album contract with Epic Records, a subsidiary of CBS Records in late 1976. The resulting album coincided with the departure of founding group member Fayette Pinkney, and the return of former member and Sheila's predecessor, Helen Scott.

NEW DIMENSIONS (1978) / 3D (1979) (For fans of Giorgo Moroder!!)

New Dimensions credits:
Arranged By - Greg Mathieson Artwork By - Bill Smith Engineer - Jürgen Koppers Photography - Gered Mankowitz Producer - Giorgio Moroder Written By - Giorgio Moroder (tracks:01 to 04, 06) , Pete Bellotte (tracks: 01 to 03, 06)

3D credits:
Giorgio Moroder - producer Harold Faltermeyer - arranger Keith Forsey - arranger Jürgen Koppers - engineer
NEW DIMENSIONS (1978)

01 Giving Up, Giving In (6:07)
02 Falling In Love Again (5:34)
03 Looking For Love (5:26)
04 The Runner (6:18)
05 Woman In Love (5:16)
06 Magic In The Air (5:45)


3D (1979)

07 Jump The Gun (6:05)
08 Red Light (5:42)
09 Set Me Free (4:33)
10 Starlight (4:42)
11 My Simple Heart (4:28)
12 Without You (4:04)
13 Bodycheck (3:33)

Bonus
14 Out Of Love Again
15 The Golden Lady
16 Hot Summer Night

Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/55508051/2_lp.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/55438506/2lp_bonus.rar.html

New Dimensions is a studio album by vocal trio The Three Degrees released in late 1978. The album which was produced by Giorgio Moroder yielded three successful single releases, "Giving Up, Giving In", "The Runner" and "Woman In Love".

3D is a studio album by vocal trio The Three Degrees released in late 1979. The album which was produced by Giorgio Moroder yielded two successful single releases, "Jump The Gun" and "My Simple Heart".

"This was the album to where The Three Degrees returned to the top 10. Songs like "Woman In Love", "Giving Up Giving In", and "The Runner" became some of their greatest hit songs. Sheila, Helen, and Valerie maintained their style in this new Euro Disco sound they encountered with Gorgio Moroder."
"Disco soul classic produced by Giorgio Moroder, later covered by Carol Douglas."

Read more about Giorgo Moroder:
http://www.disco-disco.com/tributes/giorgio.shtml

THE THREE DEGREES CHRISTHMAS COLLECTION (2001)

Tracklist:

01 Last Christmas
02 Winter Wonderland
03 Silent Night
04 I'll Be Home For Christmas
05 When A Child Is Born
06 It Isn't Christmas (while You're Not Here)
07 Sleigh Ride
08 Lonely Christmas
09 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
10 Most Beautiful Night Of The Year
11 Silver Bells
12 Mary's Boy Child
13 Gonna Give You My Heart (This Christmas)
14 O Christmas Tree (D Tannenbaum)
15 Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
16 Please Come Home For Christmas

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/55425947/christmas_192_kbs.rar.html

"A varied selection of Christmas old and New on this album. The blend of voices from Helen, Cynthia and Valerie are clear and crisp. Echo's of their Swan soulful days, and their lush Philly days are heard. some of the numbers I would have to admit lack that little something, the pace and the blending have simply just not got it right. However When a child is born, Last christmas, Lonely christmas, and Mary's boy child are truly The Three Degrees at their best. The first hearing wasn't earth shattering, but after the second and third hearing had me humming along to songs both old and new." "This is one of the best Christmas albums ever recorded! There is something here for everyone; those who want traditional Christmas carols, those who like tight harmonies, those who like a little soul, and those who just want something easy to listen to. This collection proves why the Three Degrees are still so popular overseas, as well as that Americans are missing out on something darned good! FIVE STARS! TEN STARS!!!"






















THE VERY BEST OF (2004)

Tracklist:

01 When Will I See You Again
02 My Simple Heart
03 Givin' In
04 Year Of Decision
05 Woman In Love
06 Out Of Love Again 0
07 Take Good Care Of Yourself
08. Runner
09 Falling In Love Again
10 Red Light
11 Dirty Ol' Man
12 Without You
13 Golden Lady
14 Hot Summer Nights
15 Body Check
16 Set Me Free
17 Jump The Gun
18 TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)

Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/59108112/degrees_-_vb_1_192_kbs.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/59103496/degrees_vb_2.rar.html

"The Three Degrees were one of the most successful groups to emerge from the Philadelphia soul scene in the seventies. Their American success was limited to their Philly sound period but they continued to have success in Europe, particularly Britain, for a few years after that. Their music is a wonderful mix of ballads and up-tempo material but may generally be described as easy-listening disco music.This collection contains most of their British and American hits, including TSOP (their only American number one hit) and When will I see you again (their only British number one hit). Both those tracks are from their Philly sound period, which is also represented here by other great songs including Dirty old man, Year of decision and Take good care of yourself, the last two of which charted high in the UK. After they switched labels to Ariola, their British hits included Golden lady, Jump the gun, Giving up giving in, Woman in love, The runner and My simple heart.A few minor hits are missing but all the essentials are here. This is not the strongest ever collection of their music released on CD, but it is as good as anything else available as I write this review."
"A classic album for any disco goer with a history. It combines soulful ballads such as 'when will i see you again' with funky disco beats as in 'red light', my personal favourite. Their effortless voices mixed with catchy rhythms and melodies make this an unforgettable blast of serious 60's music. "

Biography:
The Three Degrees were one of the most successful groups to emerge from the Philadelphia soul scene in the seventies. Their American success was limited to their Philly sound period but they continued to have success in Europe, particularly Britain, for a few years after that. Their music is a wonderful mix of ballads and up-tempo material but may generally be described as easy-listening disco music.
Philly soul vocal group the Three Degrees started in 1963 in Philadelphia, PA. They were discovered by producer and songwriter Richard Barrett. Barrett was a key force for 1950s groups the Chantels, Little Anthony & the Imperials, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, and his own group the Valentines. The original lineup was Fayette Pickney, Shirley Porter, and Linda Turner. Barrett recorded this lineup on their first single, "Gee Baby (I'm Sorry)." In 1963, Linda Turner and Shirley Porter left the group and were replaced by Helen Scott and Janet Jones. Around this time, Barrett began managing and producing Sheila Ferguson who was a high school friend of Scott. Barrett got deals for both the group and Ferguson with Swan Records. By 1966, Helen decided to leave the group and become a housewife. Sheila Ferguson took her place. She sang backup on all the Three Degrees' Swan recordings, as did the Three Degrees for her solo singles. In 1967, Valerie Holiday joined the group, while Janet Jones departed. Over the next four years, both the Three Degrees and Ferguson released many singles.In 1970, now signed to Roulette Records, the Three Degrees scored their first national chart hit with a remake of the Chantels' "Maybe" with Scott taking the lead vocals. It went to number four R&B in summer 1970. The follow-up, "I Do Take You," peaked at number seven R&B. Barrett got the group short-term deals with Warner Bros., Metromedia, and Gamble & Huff's Neptune Label. The group had a cameo in the classic 1971 movie The French Connection starring Gene Hackman and toured with Engelbert Humperdink. In 1973, Barrett worked a deal with Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records (PIR). The Three Degrees' first PIR single was "Dirty Ol' Man," a disco hit. A short time later, Don Cornelius, producer and host of TV's Soul Train, approached Gamble & Huff about coming up with a new theme song for his hit syndicated show. The Three Degrees were asked to do vocals at the end of the show's new theme track. After some airings, public demand forced the TV show's theme to be released as a single. "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" by MFSB featuring the Three Degrees went gold hitting number one R&B and holding the number one pop for two weeks during spring 1974. Meanwhile, a previously released Three Degrees single, "Year of Decision," stalled at number 74 R&B. Another MFSB/Three Degrees single, "Love Is the Message," peaked at number 42 R&B in the summer of that year. In the summer of 1974, PIR released another single on the group, "When Will I See You Again." The single went platinum, selling over two million copies, going to number four R&B and number two pop around September 1974. Their PIR debut album, The Three Degrees, was released at the end of 1974. The follow-up, "I Didn't Know," written and produced by Bunny Sigler, went to number 18 R&B in early 1975. The group performed the song on a guest appearance on the hit NBC show Sanford and Son. Their only other charting PIR single was "Take Good Care of Yourself" (number 64 R&B in summer 1975).Around 1976, Pickney left the group and was replaced by returning member Helen Scott. CBS released their album Standing up for Love in the U.S. in 1977. In 1978, the Three Degrees were signed to European label Ariola Records. The group recorded three LPs for the label. Longtime favorites in the U.K., the group performed at Buckingham Palace for Prince Charles' 30th birthday party and they were guests at his wedding to Princess Diana. During the first half of the '80s, the Three Degrees released U.K.-issued albums, Album of Love and Live in the UK and singles, "Liar" and "A Sonnet to Love." Stock/Aitken/Waterman produced a 1985 U.K. chart hit, "The Heaven I Need," on the group for Supreme Records. In 1986, Sheila Ferguson left the group. With Helen Scott, Valerie Holiday, and Victoria Wallace, the group recorded an album for Ichiban Records, ...And Holding! The act recorded another live CD with Billy Paul and Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes during a TSOP tour in the summer of 1989. Scott, Holiday, and new member Cynthia Garrison recorded three albums in the 1990s. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide


LPs and CDs
1970: Maybe (Roulette) - US #139, R&B #16
1974: The Three Degrees (Philadelphia International) - US #28, R&B #33
1975: The Three Degrees Live (Philadelphia International) - US #199, R&B #34
1975: The Three Degrees International (Philadelphia International) - US #99, R&B #31
1975: So Much In Love (Roulette) - R&B #56
1977: Standing Up for Love (Epic)
1978: New Dimensions (Ariola) - US #169
1979: 3D (Ariola)
1983: Album of Love
1989: ...And Holding (Ichiban) - R&B #76
1996: The Best of the Three Degrees: When Will I See You Again (Epic/Legacy)
2001: The Three Degrees Christmas (BCI)
2002: All the Hits Plus More (Prestige Elite) 2002: Greatest Hits (Goldies)
2003: Sounds of Philadelphia (Fabulous)

More info:
http://www.thethreedegrees.com/

http://www.soulfuldetroit.com/archives/2/1231.html?1086211865

http://faac.us/adf/messages/2/86211.html?1165013583

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2006/09/maybe-three-degrees.html

http://www.gophila.com/Go/PressRoom/factsheets/backgrounders1/The_Philadelphia_Music_Scene_Then_And_Now_Backgrounder.aspx