Collectables' 2004 release The Dubs Meet the Shells is a reissue of a Josie release from 1962 that takes six tracks from each band, both of whom are very smooth, very romantic doo woppers.
The Dubs' high point is the breathtaking "Could This Be Magic," but the rest aren't far behind. Apart from the sloppy cover of "Blue Velvet," it is first-class lover's doo wop all the way.
The Shells are very much in the same vein but less romantic. Nate Bouknight's lead vocals are much rawer and more pleading than
Dubs singer Richard Blandon's. The songs are all just as strong and sweet though, best among them the bubbling "Our Wedding Day" and the aching "Baby, Oh Baby." Anyone looking for a short, powerful, and fairly obscure dose of doo wop could do a lot worse than checking this disc out. ~ Tim Sendra