Little Anthony & The Imperials - On A New Street (Avco Records LP, 1973)

Little Anthony & The Imperials
On A New Street
Avco Records LP, 1973


1. I'm Falling In Love With You (3:50)
2. Lazy Susan (2:47)
3. The Loneliest House On The Block (3:54)
4. I Don't Have Time To Worry (3:19)
5. La La La At The End (4:12)
6. That's What Love Is All About (3:37)
7. What Good Am I Without You (3:13)
8. Sonner Or Later (3:01)
9. Loving You Won't Hurt As Much Tomorrow (3:13)
10. Heartaches Never Entered My Mind (3:37)
11. Easier Said Than Done (4:15)

Avco divided this project between two producers, Side A being the Thom Bell side and Side B the Teddy Randazzo side. The Randazzo sides fall short of previous productions. "That's What Love Is All About" is a decent midtempo number, but had no chance of competing with the O'Jays, Temptations, Stylistics, Dramatics, and others. "Sooner or Later"'s doo-wop leanings makes it sounds awfully dated. "Heartaches Never Entered My Mind" is the best of the Randazzo songs; Anthony sings with genuine emotion. "Easier Said Than Done" attempts to rekindle the magic of past Randazzo/Little Anthony & the Imperials collaborations, but falls short. The Bell sides save the LP.

Anthony's reading of "I'm Falling In Love With You" is simply beautiful; the sound is typical Bell, except that he lets the Imperials croon the backing blends without any female supplement. Thom Bell and Linda Creed's "Lazy Susan" and "I Don't Have Time to Worry" reminds you of the Spinners; before the Little Anthony project came along, I'm sure these were on the Spinners to-do list. Both could have used a little less formula, but the latter does provide a vocal workout for Anthony. Blue Magic comes to mind when listening to "The Loneliest House On the Block"; a muted trumpet accents the breaks, and the song is almost as sad as "Sideshow."

Anthony has a nice tone on "La, La, At the End," a quiet stormer that floats along some melodic grooves; the arrangement will have you swaying in your seat, as muted backing vocals chime briefly on the chorus, accented by a babbling trumpet and Anthony's signature lead.

Fantastic Four - Got To Have Your Love (Westbound Records LP, 1977)

Fantastic Four
Got To Have Your Love
Westbound Records LP, 1977


A1. She'll Be Right For Me (3:17)
A2. Mixed Up Moods And Attitude (5:35)
A3. There's Fire Down Below (6:25)
A4. Ain't I Been Good To You (3:06)
B1. Cash Money (4:46)
B2. I Got To Have Your Love (5:13)
B3. Disco Pool Blues (4:49)
B4. Give Me All The Love You (3:38)

Uno de los mejores albums de este grupo que comenzó su andadura a mediados de los 60 y que que se pasó a la musica disco en los 70s. "I Got To Have Your Love" fue su mayor éxito, un buen tema de baile con toque philly, posiblemente de la mano de Tom Moulton, a cargo de la mezcla.

Encuesta Cerrada: ¿Que tipo de sonido "Philly" te gusta mas? | Which Philly Sound do you like more?

Encuesta cerrada!
Poll closed!

and the favourite philly sound do you like more is..
Pre-Disco | 1972-1975
with 62% of votes

Results

Pre-Disco | 1972-1975 62% 53 votes
Philly-Disco | 1976-1979 27% 23 votes
First Era | 1968-1971 7% 6 votes
Final Era | 1980-1983 3% 3 votes

Number of total votes: 85

Efectivamente la ganadora ha resultado ser la 2a epoca, momento en el que tuvo lugar la produccion de discos entre 1972 y 1975 aproximadamente. Era de esperar que resultara ser la ganadora si tenemos en cuenta la cantidad y calidad de trabajos que se hicieron en este corto periodo de tiempo. Desde Delfonics (Tell Me This Is A Dream, Philly Groove Records 1972), O'Jays (Ship Ahoy, PIR, 1972), pasando por Spinners (Spinners, Atlantic Records 1973), , Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (Black & Blue, To Be True, Wake Up Everybody, PIR), Billy Paul (360 Degrees Of Billy Paul, War Of Gods..., PIR), hasta los albums de MFSB, The Intruders, First Choice, Ronnie Dyson, Jimmy Ruffin, William DeVaughn, Blue Magic y un largo etcera, sin olvidarnos de los miles de singles de artistas que no llegaron a grabar un album pero que dejaron su imprenta en 7 pulgadas: Tapestry, A Brother's Guiding Light, David Morris, Executive Suite, The invitations, Free Spirit, etc.

Gracias a todos por participar!
Thank you very much for participate!

Play The Philly Game! II -- Game Over!

GAME OVER!

Soul Gentleman is the
PHILLYMASTER OF THE MONTH
Congratulations!

***

Soul Gentleman - 5 ansewrs
Gregg - 3 answers
soulero61 - 2 answers

***

The track number 2 was:
Magnetic Touch - Nothing To It
from his "Falling in Love With A Dream" album on Almeria Records (1977)
(I will post it on the blog in a few days)

1. Ronnie Dyson - I Think I'll Tell Her (Soul Gentleman)
2. Magnetic Touch - Nothing To It (-)
3. Tymes - It's Cool (Soul Gentleman)
4. Gabor Szabo - Keep Smilin' (soulero61)
5. Barbara Mason - Miracle Man (Gregg)
6. Sons Of Robin Stone - Let's Do It Now (Soul Gentleman)
7. Isaac Hayes Movement - St. Thomas Square (soulero61)
8. Brothers Guiding Light - Getting Together (Unreleased Version) (Soul Gentleman)
9. Crusaders - You Pay For Love (Gregg)
10. David Morris - Snap, "Crackle", Pop (Gregg)
11. Executive Suite - When The Fuel Runs Out (Soul Gentleman)


Actualizado: 29/10/07 13:03

Arthur Prysock - All My Life (Polydor Records LP, 1976)

Arthur Prysock
All My Life
Polydor Records LP, 1976

Produced by John "Monster" Davis
Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia

A1		I Wantcha Baby (6:49)
		Written-By - Gamble & Huff
A2		All My Life (6:45)
		Written-By - John Davis (5)
A3		I Love Makin' Love To You (4:34)
		Written-By - B. Weisman* , Evie Sands , R. Germinaro*
A4		Baby I'm The One (3:45)
		Written-By - A. Brown* , Dee Ervin
B1		When Love Is New (7:13)
		Written-By - Gamble & Huff
B2		One Broken Heart (4:57)
		Written-By - John Davis (5)
B3		All I Need Is You Tonight (4:07)
		Written-By - M. Steals* , M. Steals*
B4		This Is What You Mean To Me (3:00)
		Written By - T. Collins Written-By - B. Eli*

Backing Vocals - Barbara Ingram , Carla Benson , Evette Benton
Bass - "Sugar Bear" Foreman*
Congas - Larry "B" Washington*
Drums - Charles Collins
Engineer - Carl Paruolo , Jim Gallagher , Ken Present*
Engineer [Assistant] - Arthur Stoppe , Dirk Devlin
Executive Producer - Sam Weiss
Guitar - Craig Snyder , Dennis Harris
Keyboards, Saxophone, Flute - John (The Monster) Davis*
Producer, Arranged By, Conductor - John Davis (5)
Strings - Don Renaldo
Trombone - Fred Joiner , Robert Moore , Roger Dililo*
Trumpet - Evan Solot , Rocco Benne*

Bueno señores, a peticion de el compañero Gregg, aquí les presento la pequeña sorpresa de esta semana. Un LP muy poco conocido, de este cantante de jazz de exquisita voz llamado Arthur Prysock y que, como muchos cantantes de jazz, rock y cia se pasaron a musica mas bailable en los 70. Pero aqui no estamos hablando de una "bajada de pantalones". Este es uno de los mejores albums philly de 1976. Y que año fue 1976! La verdadera estrella del album fue el single "When Love Is New" que tuvo un inesperado exito en todas las discotecas de la ciudad. Pero el album no se queda ahi ni muhco menos, porque tambien nos encontramos con joyas como el primer corte "I Want You Baby", con unos sencillamente magistrales arreglos de cuerda y una voz mezcla entre Barry White y Lou Rawls. Una particularidad del album es que 2 de sus cortes fueron escritos para Billy Paul en clave balada, pero éstos no quedaron demasiado bien y fueron reinterpretados por Arthur pero subiendo los bpms y el experimentó resultó. Todo el album es realmente bueno pero permitenme destacar un corte: "All I Need You Is You Tonight". Altamente adictivo. Yo todabia lo estoy cantando y hace mas de 1 mes que los escuché.

En una linea similar a Lou Rawls en cuanto a arreglos y composicion, este album es una de las mejores joyas grabadas en Sigma que aun queda por descubrir. Recomendadismo!

The Soul Train Gang - The Soul Train Gang (Soul Train Records LP, 1976)

The Soul Train Gang
The Soul Train Gang
Soul Train Records LP, 1976

A1 That Certain Way (4:55)
A2 Ooh Cha (5:09)
A3 How Much Longer (3:56)
A4 All My Life (I Wanna Live With You) (5:50)

B1 Soul Train Theme (T.V. Version) (5:06)
B2 If It Takes All Night (4:37)
B3 Country Girl (3:20)
B4 Soul Train Theme (Scat Version) (4:15)

Arranged By [Vocals] - Gray , Griffey , Cornelius Bass - Ronnie Baker Drums - Charles Collins , Earl (Trammps) Young Engineer [Mastering] - Richard Simpson Engineer [Mixing] - Kenny Present Engineer [Recording] - Carl Paruolo , Dirk Devlin , Don Holden Executive Producer - Dick Griffey , Don Cornelius Guitar - Bobby Eli , Norman Harris , T. Life , T.J. Tindell Keyboards - Bruce Hawes , Cotton Kent , Ron (Have Mercy) Kersey Other [Vibes] - Vince Montana Percussion - Ahaguna G. Sun* , Warner Schuchner Percussion [Congas] - Larry Washington Producer - "The Harris Machine" Norman Harris

Manufactured & Distributed By RCA Records.
Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia & RCA Studios, Hollywood, CA

***

For its second and last LP, the Los Angeles-based Soul Train Gang traveled across the U.S. to Philadelphia's legendary Sigma Sound and enlisted Norman Harris, who had been producing major hits for Blue Magic and the Spinners in that very studio. While parts of the Soul Train Gang's first album were influenced by the Philly sound, everything on this album is Philadelphia-sounding. With Harris producing and Bobby Martin helping with the arranging (Don Cornelius and Dick Griffey are listed as executive producers), the Philly influence is impossible to miss on romantic cuts like "All My Life (I Wanna Live With You)" and the Blue Magic-minded "If It Takes All Night," as well as uptempo offerings such as "Country Girl" and the funky "Soul Train Theme," which in 1976, replaced "Soul Train '75" as the program's theme music. ("Soul Train '75" had replaced MFSB's famous "TSOP"). Despite Soul Train's popularity and despite the popularity of the Philly sound, this LP wasn't a huge seller. Nor is it an album that lovers of Philly soul would consider essential. But it's a decent, if less than remarkable, footnote in the history of '70s R&B. (Alex Henderson, All Music Guide)

***

The Joneses - The Joneses (Epic Records LP, 1977)

The Joneses
The Joneses
Epic Records LP, 1977


1. Who Love's You (3:29)
2. In Love Again (3:13)
3. (If I Could Have) Your Love For A Song (3:31)
4. All The Little Pieces (5:42)
5. Music To My Ears (5:19)
6. Lies (3:05)
7. Groovin' On Ya (3:26)
8. Merry Go Round (3:49)
9. Universal Love (5:06)
10. Rat Race (4:51)

Reencuentro de los Joneses, aunque con la totalidad, menos uno, de los integrantes cambiados, pero conservando las bellas harmonias que nos dejó su anterior album. Con un sonido puramente philly, destacan sobremanera los 2 primeros cortes "Who Love's You" y el medio tiempo "In Love Again", realmente maravilloso.

Para los entusiastas del sonido philadelphia mas norman-harrisiano, este album les va a encantar. Recomendado.

The Joneses - Keepin' Up With The Joneses (Mercury Records LP, 1974)

The Joneses
Keepin' Up With The Joneses
Mercury Records LP, 1974

The Jonesesbiography

Formed 1969, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

The group comprised of:

Cy Brooks (lead singer)
Glenn Dorsey
Sam White
Reginald Noble
and his brother Wendell Noble

They were one of several groups from that time that represented a return to the vocal group format the became prevelant in the previous two decades.
During the early 70s, the group began recording in the soft-soul mode that featured a falsetto lead, sweet harmonies along with fully orchestrated arrangements.
The original group formed in Pittsburgh in 1969, however the recording group arrived at its final line-up after moving to New York to record for YM.R Records in the early 70's.
The members of the V.M.P. group featured falsetto lead Cy Brooks, Glenn Dorsey, Sam White and brothers Reginald and Wendell Noble, and on that label they had a New York hit with 'Pretty Pretty'.
Moving to the Pride label in 1973, they had another local hit, 'Pull My String'.
Mercury Records then signed them.

Cy Brooks left at this point and his lead spot was taken by baritone Harold Taylor (who had earlier been with the group in Pittsburgh).
At Mercury the Joneses first had success locally in Baltimore with 'Baby Don't Do It', but in 1974 they began a string of national hits including 'Hey Babe' (number 18 R & B).
They then followed with their crossover hit, 'Sugar Pie Guy' (number 10 R & B, number 47 pop), also in 1974.
They also had considerable success with 'l Can't See What You See in Me' (number 28 R & B) in 1975.

The Joneses broke up in 1975, but in the following years there were four resurrections of the group, the first in 1977 and the last in 1992, and each time the only constant in the new line-ups being Glenn Dorsey.

The Joneses - Keepin' Up With The Joneses
1974

1. I Can't See What You See In Me (3:06)
2. Fire (2:50)
3. Our Love Song (7:27)
4. Hey Baby (Pt 1) (3:32)
5. Hey Baby (Pt 2) (2:05)
6. Sugar Pie Guy (Pt 1) (3:40)
7. Sugar Pie Guy (Pt 2) (3:46)
8. I Promis You (4:46)
9. Baby Don't Do It (2:54)
10. Please Let Me Stay (4:14)

The Joneses were from Baltimore and recorded their debut album, Keepin Up With The Joneses in New York. They recorded with some of the leading Jazz studio musicians of the city such as Richard Tee, Cornell Dupree, Wilbur Bascome, Ralph McDonald and others. Most of the LP is mid-tempo vocal group Soul like Baby Don’t Do It. Sometimes they come with lush arrangements with strings such as Sugar Pie Guy that reminds a bit of a Barry White production with that philly style.

Street People - Street People (Vigor Records LP, 1976)

Street People

Street People
Vigor Records LP, 1976

All songs arranged & conducted by Charlie Callello, except A1/B3 by Bert DeCoteaux
Produced by Ray Dahrouge

Recorded at the Hill Factory, NYC.
Mastered at Frankford-Wayne Recording Labs, Philadelphia.

Side A

A1. Never Get Enough Of Your Love - 4:40
A2. Don't Leave Mec Hangin' When You Hang Up - 3:31
A3. Wanna Slow Dance With You Baby (at the disco) - 3:39
A4. Gotta Get Back With You - 3:18
A5. Re-Run (from an old time movie) - 3:33

Side B
B1. Wanna Spend My Whole Life With You, Baby - 3:34
B2. Flippin' A Coin - 3:26
B3. You're My One Weakness, Girl - 3:04
B4. Liberated Lady - 3:29
B5. You're The Girl I Love - 3:36

The Street People were a group from New Jersey consisting of Roy Daniels, Milton Daniels, Tom Williams, Joe Gardner, and Rick Johnson. Their one and only album on Vigor Records in 1976, yielded five singles: "Never Get Enough Of Your Love," You're My One Weakness Girl,"I Wanna Spend My Whole Life With You," "Liberated Lady," and the most successful "Wanna Slow Dance With You Baby (At The Disco)." The album was actually recorded in New York City, but was mastered at the Frankford-Wayne Recording Labs in Philadelphia. The music's distinctive 'Sound Of Philadelphia' flavor is due to local producer Ray Dahrouge who also wrote all of the songs on the album. The group unfortunately disbanded in 1977.

***

Aquí teneis el primer y unico LP de este poco conocido grupo de Nueva Jersey, realmente sorprendente y muy bueno. Puro sonido philly, aun sin haber sido grabado en Sigma (aunque si masterizado). Todos los cortes son muy buenos, destacando "Never Get Enough Of Your Love", "Don't Leave Me Hangin' When You Hang Up" y "You're My One Weakness Girl".
Disfrutarlo con este rip @320kbps!

P.S: Thanks To Gregg for the additional info and your effort! Keep it up!

Sons Of Robin Stone - Im Ready To Give Up My Love / It Only Happens In The Movies (Goniff 7", 1975)

Sons Of Robin Stone
I'm Ready To Give Up My Love / It Only Happens In The Movies
Goniff 7", 1975

Bobby Eli - Lee Phillips

Genial 7" que en su dia no vió la luz y que ha tardado mas de 30 años en hacerlo de las arcas mas profundas de, posiblemente, el gran Bobby Eli. Sons Of Robin Stone, mas conocidos por los cortes "Got To Get You Back", nos regalan 2 impresionantes cortes: "I'm Ready To Give Up My Love", mas tarde versionado en clave disco por Final Touch, y "It Only Happens In The Movies", tambien versionado poco tiempo mas tarde por el grupo Impact en su magnifico LP en Atco Records, que pronto repasaremos!

Sorry, due to legal problems, no dowloads this time, only listening. Enjoy!

Carolyn Crawford - If You Move, You Lose / Good And Plenty (PIR 12", 1975)

Carolyn Crawford
If You Move, You Lose / Good And Plenty
Philadelphia International Records 12"


Produced by Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff
Arranged by Bobby Martin* & Leon Huff**
1975

*If You Move, You Lose
**Good And Plenty

Download

A Brother's Guiding Light - Getting Together / Sweet Stuff (Mercury Records 7", 1973)

A Brother's Guiding Light

Getting Together / Sweet Stuff
Mercury Records 7inch

A Ross-Montana Production
Arranged by Vince Montana 1973

Se podria decir que estamos ante uno de los 7" de culto mas importantes del philly sound e incluso del soul en general. Una autentica joya que está a precios desorbitados en el mercado actual y que conseguí hace pocos dias.
A Brother's Guiding Light, grupo liderado en la voz por David Morris y con los presuntos implicados de Sigma en la instrumentación con arreglos del gran Vince Montana. El corte "Getting Together" es para mi uno de los cortes mas bellos del philly sound y tiene un puesto realmente destacado en mi TOP particular. La cara B del single "Sweet Stuff" es una rareza dificil de escuchar pero que, aunque no puede competir con su hermana de la cara A, también tiene su punto. Un autentico clásico y en exclusiva para todos vosotros. Recomendadísimo.

..::PHILLY ESSENTIAL::..

Revelation - Revelation (RSO Records LP, 1975)

Revelation
Revelation
(RSO Records LP, 1975)

a1 Get Ready For This (5:18)
a2 Where It's Warm (3:26)
a3 We've Gotta Survive (3:51)
a4 Just Too Many People (4:48)
b1 Haven't Got A Lover To My Name (3:16)
b2 What Good Am I (Without You) (4:58)
b3 I Can't Move No Mountains (3:30)
b4 You're Sure To Find Me (Waitin (4:21)
b5 Sweet Talk And Memories (3:07)


Otro grupo de 1975, que gracias a la magia de Sigma obtubieron un album realmente maravilloso, lleno de cortes de gran calidad como practicametne todo el Side A. Puro sonido philly de mediados de los 70 de la mano de Norman Harris y Allan Felder. Recomendado.

Actualizado: Re-Subido a 01/2014