Tag Archives: Baker Harris Young

BLUE MAGIC-BLUE MAGIC.

BLUE MAGIC-BLUE MAGIC. Having left The Delfonics, Randy Cain started working with Ted Mills, a Philadelphia-based songwriter. The pair would cowrite songs for the Philly-based WMOT production company. Not long after they started collaborating, Randy and Ted met  Shades of Love, a Philly vocal group yet to make their commercial breakthrough. Featuring Keith Beaton, Richard …

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M.F.S.B.-M.F.S.B.

 M.F.S.B.-M.F.S.B. By 1973, Philadelphia International Records was well on the way to becoming one of the most successful record labels of all time, whilst supplying the soundtrack for the seventies, and a generation. Critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums started flowing out of Philadelphia. This included The O’Jays’ Backstabbers, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes’ …

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THE STYLISTICS-THE STYLISTICS.

THE STYLISTICS-THE STYLISTICS.  Often, when people mention the Philly Sound, they immediately think of Gamble and Huff. That’s doing a huge disservice to another of the architects of the Philly Sound, Thom Bell. He worked with some of the most successful groups of the Philly Sound. The Detroit Spinners, The Delfonics and The Stylistics were …

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DOUBLE EXPOSURE-LOCKER ROOM.

DOUBLE EXPOSURE-LOCKER ROOM. Following the trials and tribulations that surrounded Double Exposure’s sophomore album Fourplay, Locker Room their third and final album, proved to relatively plain sailing. Having released their debut album Ten Percent Salsoul in 1976, there was a two year delay with the followup. This was due to alleged discrepancies regarding Double Exposure’s …

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BUNNY SIGLER-THAT’S HOW LONG I’LL BE LOVING YOU.

  BUNNY SIGLER-THAT’S HOW LONG I’LL BE LOVING YOU. Back in the spring of 1974, Philadelphia International Records had a busy schedule of releases. They’d three albums scheduled for release. The first of this trio was M.F.S.B’s seminal Love Is The Message and the third was The O’Jays’ classic Ship Ahoy. In between these two …

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MAJOR HARRIS-MY WAY.

MAJOR HARRIS-MY WAY. For a member of a successful group, it’s always a risk to leave and embark upon a solo career. Often, the success they’ve enjoyed becomes a distant memory. Conversely, the success they’ve enjoyed is often surpassed upon embarking on a solo career. Everyone will have examples when an artists decision to embark …

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BAKER, HARRIS, YOUNG-B-H-Y.

BAKER, HARRIS, YOUNG-B-H-Y. By 1979 Ron Baker, Norman Harris and Earl Young were still the hardest working and most in-demand rhythm section in music. They were currently part of The Salsoul Orchestra and accompanying artists like the undisputed Queen of Disco Loleatta Holloway, First Choice and Double Exposure. They’d done everything, from writing, arranging and …

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M.F.S.B.-LOVE IS THE MESSAGE.

M.F.S.B.-LOVE IS THE MESSAGE. Having founded Philadelphia International Records in 1972, Gamble and Huff were about to embark on a musical journey that would see them change the musical landscape forevermore. While much of Philadelphia International Records’ success was down to Gamble and Huff’s undoubtable skills as songwriters and producers, all to often the role …

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DOUBLE EXPOSURE-TEN PERCENT.

DOUBLE EXPOSURE-TEN PERCENT. December 11th 1975 is a significant date in the history Salsoul Records. It was the date that Double Exposure started recording their debut album Ten Percent, which would become their most successful album, and one of Salsoul’s biggest selling albums. Ten Percent which will be released on 17th September 2012 by BBR …

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FIRST CHOICE-DELUSIONS.

FIRST CHOICE-DELUSIONS. Three men played a huge part in the success of two of the most important and successful record companies of the seventies, but despite doing so, don’t get the credit they so richly deserve. These three men are bassist Ron Baker, guitarist Norman Harris and drummer Earl Young. Together, were known as the …

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THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA.

THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA. Sometimes, fate plays an important part in the success of an artist, album or in the case of Saloul Records, a record label. This was the case when Ken Cayre met vibes virtuoso Vince Montana Jr. Ken Cayre wanted to import the Philly Sound to his nascent record label, Salsoul, …

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THE SALSOUL STRINGS-HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE.

THE SALSOUL STRINGS-HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE. Recently, I’ve been reviewing many of Salsoul Records’ releases, and during these reviews, explaining how Salsoul Records started to change around 1978. This change came about when several of Salsoul’s key personnel started to leave the label or play less of a role in the label’s releases. This …

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LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY-QUEEN OF THE NIGHT.

LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY-QUEEN OF THE NIGHT. Having signed Loleatta Holloway to Gold Mind Records in 1976, Loleatta’s producer and mentor Norman Harris set about giving Loleatta a makeover. He started transforming the Southern Soul singer in the a disco diva on her debut album Loleatta. After her Sasloul debut Loleatta was released, Loleatta Holloway’s makeover to …

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M.F.S.B.-PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM.

M.F.S.B.-PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM. Often, when I’m either writing about Philadelphia International Records or Salsoul Records, I mention M.F.S.B. Philadelphia International Records’ legendary house-band. M.F.S.B.’s role in the Philly Sound can’t be underestimated. They played on literally every album the influenced and shaped what became known as the Philly Sound. Whether it was working with Thom Bell …

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LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY-LOLEATTA.

LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY-LOLEATTA. Recently, when I reviewed Carol Williams’ ‘Lectric Lady, I referred to Carol as the First Lady of Salsoul, as she was the first female artist to sign to Salsoul Records. Now while Carol Williams was the First Lady of Salsoul, Loleatta Holloway was the undisputed Queen of Salsoul. I’d go further and say …

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BILLY PAUL-360 DEGREES OF BILLY PAUL.

BILLY PAUL-360 DEGREES OF BILLY PAUL. Sometimes, an artist releases a single that becomes a huge commercial success and regardless of whatever else they release, they’re forever be known as the artist that recorded “that single.” For Billy Paul, ever since he released Me and Mrs Jones as a single back in October 1972, he’s …

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SALSOUL ENCORE.

SALSOUL ENCORE. As regular readers of this blog will realized by now, I’m a huge fan of all things Salsoul and really pleased that soon, BBR Records will be releasing their first batch of rereleases of Salsoul’s back catalogue. In the lead up to Salsoul’s back-catalogue received its overdue rerelease, I’ve been revisiting several of …

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THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-NICE ‘N’ NASTY.

THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-NICE ‘N’ NASTY. When I realized that this would my 500th review, I decided that to mark the occasion, by reviewing a really special album, one of my favorite albums. Now with the best part of two-thousand albums to choose from, I’ve plenty of choice. Regular readers of this blog will have realized …

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CAROL WILLIAMS-‘LECTRIC LADY.

CAROL WILLIAMS-‘LECTRIC LADY. Ask me what my favorite album on Salsoul Records is, and I’m spoiled for choice. Instead of just one album, I’d probably give you a shortlist of albums. Obviously there would be something by The Salsoul Orchestra, Loleatta Holloway, First Choice, Inner Life and Double Exposure. Another album that would be right …

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THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-HOW HIGH.

THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA-HOW HIGH. With BBR Records comprehensive rerelease of  the Salsoul back-catalogue due to begin later in August 2012, I thought that this was the perfect opportunity to give everyone a taster of what’s in-store. What better way to do this than with one of The Salsoul Orchestra’s albums How High. How High was …

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