Tag Archives: M.F.S.B.
THE RITCHIE FAMILY-LIFE IS MUSIC.
THE RITCHIE FAMILY-LIFE IS MUSIC. Mention the words concept album, and it conjurs up a certain image. Music journalists of a certain vintage, sixth formers in the seventies and of course, bloated prog rock bands. Indeed, every home should have one of these albums. After all, it’s a great way to deal with unwanted guests. …
NORMAN HARRIS-THE HARRIS MACHINE.
NORMAN HARRIS-THE HARRIS MACHINE. For Norman Harris, all his hard work building Gold Mind Records had been in vain. Gold Mind Records had been experiencing financial problems and eventually became part of Salsoul Records. Latterly, Gold Mind Records didn’t even have a distributor. Eventually the Cayre brothers decided that the only solution was that Gold …
BLUE MAGIC-THIRTEEN BLUE MAGIC LANE.
BLUE MAGIC-THIRTEEN BLUE MAGIC LANE. Blue Magic’s first two album had seen their fortunes vary. Their 1973 eponymous debut album Blue Magic, had been certified gold, and featured the million-selling, Philly Soul classic, Sideshow. Written by Bobby “Electronic” Eli and Vinnie Barrett, Sideshow was also certified gold, after selling over one-million copies. It seemed that …
BILLY PAUL-GOING EAST.
BILLY PAUL-GOING EAST. After releasing Feelin’ Good At the Cadillac Club on Gamble Records in 1968 and Ebony Woman on Neptune in 1970, Billy Paul signed to a newly formed label in Philadelphia. It had been founded by two songwriters, musicians and producers. The label was Philadelphia International Records. Its two founders were Kenneth Gamble …
DICK JENSEN-DICK JENSEN.
DICK JENSEN-DICK JENSEN. When most people think of Philadelphia International Records, they think of The O’Jays, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Billy Paul, The Three Degrees and Teddy Pendergrass. However, there’s much, much more to Philadelphia International Records than just these artists. Granted they were among Philadelphia International Records’ most successful artists, but they …
M.F.S.B.-UNIVERSAL LOVE.
M.F.S.B.-UNIVERSAL LOVE. When eventually, someone decided to write a proper, comprehensive history of Philadelphia International Records, I hope that they separate the music into two parts. The first part was what I’d call Philadelphia International Records’ golden period, between 1972 and 1975 and then the second part, from 1976 onwards. There’s a good reason for …
JOE SIMON-DROWNING IN THE SEA OF LOVE.
JOE SIMON-DROWNING IN THE SEA OF LOVE. Although Joe Simon had been around since the 1959, releasing his debut album Joe Simon in 1963, for the next ten years, he struggled to make a commercial breakthrough. Granted Joe enjoyed a string on minor hit singles on Vee Jay Records and the Sound Stage label. Unfortunately, …
THE WHISPERS-BINGO.
THE WHISPERS-BINGO. It’s almost ironic that when The Whispers released Bingo in 1974, which was arguably the best album of their career so far, its success was derailed by a lack of promotion. Bingo was The Whispers’ fourth album, and their first foray outside of their native California. It also saw a change of producer. …
THE STYLISTICS-ROUND 2.
THE STYLISTICS-ROUND 2. Just under year since The Stylistics released their debut album The Stylistics in November 1972, which was certified gold, and featured five top ten US R&B singles, The Stylistics released their sophomore album Round 2 in October 1973 on Avco Records. Like The Stylistics, it was produced by Thom Bell, who cowrote …
INTRUDERS-SAVE THE CHILDREN.
INTRUDERS-SAVE THE CHILDREN. Although the Intruders weren’t the most successful group Gamble and Huff discovered, they played an important part in Philadelphia International Records’ history. When Gamble and Huff were considering leaving the Cameo Parkway label to form their own label, it was the Intruders that Gamble and Huff chose to risk their money and …
THE BEST REISSUES OF 2012-PART 2.
THE BEST REISSUES OF 2012-PART 2. The first six reissues of 2012 I reviewed were released between February and August 2012. My first choice from The Best Reissues of 2012-Part 2 was also released in August, before September proved to be one of the best months of 2012 for rereleases. BILLY PAUL-360 DEGREES OF BILLY …
THE BEST REISSUES OF 2012-PART 3.
THE BEST REISSUES OF 2012-PART 3. Throughout my review of The Best Reissues of 2012, I’ve reviewed albums that have either been commercial successful or for some reason, failed commercially. Sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with the music. Often, it’s too innovative, released at the wrong time or not promoted enough. Behind each of the my …
GOODY GOODY-GOODY GOODY.
GOODY GOODY-GOODY GOODY. Often, looking back through musical history, one decision can change forever change a group or label’s future. Whether it was Gamble and Huff’s decision to allow their legendary house-band M.F.S.B. to leave Philadelphia International Records following a dispute with money, or Harold Melvin’s decision not give give Teddy Pendergrass equal billing in …
THE DETROIT SPINNERS-HAPPINESS IS BEING WITH THE SPINNERS.
THE DETROIT SPINNERS-HAPPINESS IS BEING WITH THE SPINNERS. Ever since The Detroit Spinners had signed to Atlantic Records, their fortunes had been transformed. Their 1967 debut album, The Original Spinners, released on Motown, had failed to chart. Three years later, now signed to V.I.P. Records, their 1970 sophomore album 2nd Two Around, saw their fortunes …
TEDDY PENDERGRASS-THIS ONE’S FOR YOU.
TEDDY PENDERGRASS-THIS ONE’S FOR YOU. Ever since Teddy Pendergrass left Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, the success he’d enjoyed with his former group kept on coming. By 1981, Teddy had released five albums since his solo career started in 1977. From his 1977 debut album Teddy Pendergrass was certified platinum, Teddy cemented his reputation …
THE EBONYS-THE EBONYS.
THE EBONYS-THE EBONYS. During the seventies, Philadelphia International Records was one of the most successful record labels in America. Without a doubt, it was one of Philly Soul’s greatest label. Between 1972 and 1975, it seemed Philadelphia International Records could do no wrong. Artists like The O’Jays, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, The Three …
BILLY PAUL-GOT MY HEAD ON STRAIGHT.
BILLY PAUL-GOT MY HEAD ON STRAIGHT. Three years before Billy Billy Paul released Got My Head On Straight in 1975, he’d released his fourth album 360 Degrees of Billy Paul. Not only had 360 Degrees of Billy Paul made Billy Paul a worldwide star, but had played its part in launching Philadelphia International Records as …
HAROLD MELVIN AND THE BLUE NOTES-TO BE TRUE.
HAROLD MELVIN AND THE BLUE NOTES-TO BE TRUE. Between 1972 and 1975, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes released a quartet of albums that saw one of the most successful artists in the history of Philly Soul. During that period, commercial success and critical acclaim were constant companions for Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes. …
MCFADDEN AND WHITEHEAD-MCFADDEN AND WHITEHEAD.
MCFADDEN AND WHITEHEAD-MCFADDEN AND WHITEHEAD. Anyone familiar with the history of Philly Soul, will realize that some of the best music was written or produced by musical partnerships. Obviously the best known is Gamble and Huff, but there are many more. The Baker, Harris, Young rhythm section were also a successful production partnership, while Norman …
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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