The Dramatics cut their teeth in Detroit and were signed to the venerated Memphis label Stax. Yet they didn’t find traction with the public until the early '70s, when they positioned themselves as peers to a generation of harmony soul groups emerging from Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia. The fact that they had the backing of Memphis' session musicians gave Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get an edge over its softer competitors. The Dramatics had the harmonies to match The O’Jays, but the music of “Get Up and Get Down” and “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get” was as hard as anything James Brown was making during the same era. “Thank You for Your Love” and “Fall in Love, Lady Love” are two sublime lesser-known tracks, but the album reaches an undeniable climax with “In the Rain.” One of the most atmospheric soul ballads ever recorded, the song remains as electrifying as it is seductive.