Deep Groove Encyclopedia - Archie Bell and the Drells

Archie Bell and the Drells

Click below for an Archie Bell and the Drells sample:

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Archie Bell and the Drells had one of the strangest beginnings to a musical career that lasted about a decade. After recording the mainly instrumental "Tighten Up" as a throwaway side for the to-be-promoted "Dog Eat Dog," Archie Bell was drafted into Vietnam. While enlisted, deejays flipped the single and made "Tighten Up" a smash. One can only imagine the strangeness he must have felt, having a major hit yet out in the trenches where anything could happen. Bell had to get special permission from the military to fly back to the States for a follow-up recording session, which yielded "There's Gonna Be A Showdown" and "I Just Can't Stop Dancing." After he was finally discharged, Bell hooked up with the remaining Drells to resume their career. "Dancing To Your Music" was a minor success, and afterwards they returned to the Gamble and Huff production team that worked on their late 60s records. "Let's Groove," "Soul City Walk," and "Strategy" all performed relatively well on the dancefloor. Their last recording was in 1979.

Archie Bell and the Drells' Deepest Grooves

Tighten Up (Atlantic, 1968)

Dance Your Troubles Away (TSOP, 1975)
Features the aptly named "Let's Groove" and "Soul City Walk." One of their most sought after LPs.

Hard Not to Like It (TSOP, 1977)

Strategy (TSOP, 1979)

Tightening It Up: Best of Archie Bell and the Drells (Rhino, 1990s)
Culls the highlights of their career. A nice representation for an act that probably never became as large as they could have had Uncle Sam not come calling.