Philadelphia Soul
As it’s name suggests, this soul genre originated on America’s East Coast in Pennsylvania’s largest city. The melodies in Philly Soul were quite heavily influenced by the local jazz scene in the 1960’s, and Philly Soul itself became a forerunner not only for disco music, but also a new blend of smooth jazz. Other elements that typify this sub genre include pop vocal arrangements, R&B rhythms, along with prominent horn/string sections.
In the early days at least, emphasis on the Philly Soul ‘sound’ meant that it became known more for the song writing and production teams, than the artists. Notable names in this ‘producers genre’ included Thom Bell, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Norman Harris, MFSB, also Mcfadden and Whitehead.
MFSB became recording artists in their own right in the mid 1970’s, but they were also a big part of the wider Philly Soul scene, providing instrumental backing for many of the top artists. McFadden and Whitehead were also an act that were heavily involved in both sides of the music industry. During their career they performed as vocal group the Epsilons, toured with Otis Redding, and worked with artists like Gloria Gaynor, James Brown and The Jacksons. They were perhaps best known for their hit ‘Aint No Stopping Us Now’, and ‘Backstabbers’, a chart hit for the O’Jays.
Both Mcfadden and Whitehead, and The O’Jays played an important part in the development of Philly Soul, and were both signed to the Philadelphia International Label. This was the label formed by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Other artists signed to the label included The Intruders, Archie Bell and The Drells, and Patti La Belle. No mention of Philly Soul, or this record label, would be complete without mentioning the very successful Three Degrees. This three piece female vocal group was discovered in 1963, and despite many changes to the line-up have been an enduring presence on the soul scene. Although the group recorded for several different record labels, it was at Philadelphia International that they had their biggest hit, the legendary ‘When Will I See You Again’.
While The Three Degrees are one of the best known female Philly Soul groups, the title for best known males could go to The Stylistics. With this band it wasn’t so much the record label, but their move to a new producer, in the shape of Thom Bell, that heralded some of the biggest hits of their career. They were a band who were big on sentiment, sweet as honey vocals, and soaring music. Although this was derided, it was also praised in equal measure. The bands hits included ‘You Are Everything’, US hit ‘Betcha By Golly Wow’, ‘I’m Stone In Love With You’, and ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New’. As testament to their success, some of the Stylistics biggest hits have been covered by artists such as Boys 2 Men (You Make Me Feel Brand New), Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye (You Are Everything), and Simply Red (also You Make Me Feel Brand New). Parts of their songs have also been samples by acts like Jay Z, 9th Wonder, and Charles Hamilton.
This is just a slice of the many interesting chapters that makeup the story of Philly Soul, a sub genre that has produced some of the most enduring songs of our time, spawned many hits songs and cover versions, and influenced the careers of many of todays soul stars. Philadelphia Soul has contributed a great deal to music history over the years, and shows every sign of living on in the hearts and minds of music fans all over the world, for many generations to come.
