Philly Soul

Philly Soul, also known as Philadelphia Soul, is a subgenre of soul music that developed in Philadelphia during the late 1960s and early 1970s. It blended the traditional soul music sounds with a touch of funk, jazz, and even orchestral elements. Its popularity reached its peak in the mid-1970s, with artists like The O'Jays, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, and Teddy Pendergrass leading the way. The birth of Philly Soul can be traced back to the mid-1960s, when a small independent record label called Cameo-Parkway Records started releasing records by local artists. Their early success with Chubby Checker's "The Twist" and other dance-oriented hits created the foundation of the label's reputation as a pop music hub. However, when the label's founders, Bernie Lowe and Kal Mann, sold its catalog to a bigger corporation, many of the label's artists were left without recording deals. This change prompted Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff to start their own label called Gamble Records. They had been songwriters and producers working in Philadelphia, and their goal was to create the Philadelphia Sound, a new genre that would reflect the city's soulful musical heritage. With the backing of music publisher Eddie Rich, the duo started recording local artists, hoping to capture the essence of what made Philadelphia's music unique. Their first success came with a group called The Intruders, who had a hit with the song "Cowboys to Girls" in 1968. The song's combination of soulful harmonies, a funky rhythm section, and an irresistible melody was a recipe that Gamble and Huff would refine over the next few years. They went on to produce hits for the likes of Jerry Butler ("Only the Strong Survive"), Billy Paul ("Me and Mrs. Jones"), and The O'Jays ("Love Train"). One of the defining features of Philly Soul was the use of orchestral arrangements to supplement the traditional soulful sounds. Gamble and Huff hired musicians from the local symphony and jazz scenes to create lush and intricate arrangements that added depth and a cinematic quality to the music. They used string sections, horns, and even harps to create a sound that was both grand and emotionally resonant. Philly Soul also had a political edge, as many of the songs dealt with social issues like poverty, racism, and the Vietnam War. The O'Jays had a hit with "For the Love of Money," a funk-infused anthem that criticized the greed and corruption of big business. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes had a string of hits that dealt with heartbreak and relationships, but also had songs with a message like "Wake Up Everybody," which called for people to come together and make a change.

Gamble and Huff: The songwriting and producing duo of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff were the driving force behind the Philly Soul sound, co-founding the iconic Philadelphia International Records in 1971 and churning out numerous chart-topping hits for artists such as The O'Jays and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. The O'Jays: One of the most successful Philly Soul groups, The O'Jays scored a string of hits in the 70s with their smooth harmonies and socially conscious lyrics, including "Love Train" and "For the Love of Money". Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes: Led by the powerful vocals of Teddy Pendergrass, this group earned acclaim for their soulful ballads such as "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and "Wake Up Everybody" and helped define the Philly Soul sound. Patti LaBelle: Known for her powerhouse vocals and flamboyant style, LaBelle rose to prominence as the lead singer of the group Labelle before embarking on a successful solo career, recording hits such as "Lady Marmalade" and "On My Own". Billy Paul: Best known for his soulful and seductive 1972 hit "Me and Mrs. Jones", Paul was a masterful interpreter of songs and a prominent figure in the Philly Soul scene. The Stylistics: This vocal group's smooth harmonies and romantic ballads, such as "Betcha by Golly, Wow" and "You Are Everything", made them a staple of the Philly Soul sound. MFSB: Touted as the house band for Philadelphia International Records, MFSB (short for Mother, Father, Sister, Brother) boasted a roster of virtuosos and a distinctive instrumental sound, earning hits with tracks like "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" and "Love Is the Message". Teddy Pendergrass: As the lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Pendergrass established himself as a charismatic and soulful performer, and went on to have a successful solo career, recording hits such as "Close the Door" and "Turn Off the Lights". Jean Carn: A versatile vocalist and frequent collaborator with Gamble and Huff, Carn's powerful voice and range made her a standout among Philly Soul artists, earning acclaim for her hits such as "Don't Let It Go to Your Head". The Delfonics: With their soaring harmonies and lush production, The Delfonics helped shape the sound of Philly Soul with hits like "La-La (Means I Love You)" and "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)".

1. Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now - McFadden & Whitehead 2. Back Stabbers - The O'Jays 3. When Will I See You Again - The Three Degrees 4. You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine - Lou Rawls 5. Love Train - The O'Jays 6. Cowboys to Girls - The Intruders 7. If You Don't Know Me by Now - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 8. Me and Mrs. Jones - Billy Paul 9. TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) - MFSB featuring The Three Degrees 10. La-La Means I Love You - The Delfonics 11. Expressway to Your Heart - The Soul Survivors 12. For the Love of Money - The O'Jays 13. I'll Be Around - The Spinners 14. Don't Leave Me This Way - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 15. Betcha by Golly, Wow - The Stylistics 16. Love I Lost - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 17. People Make the World Go Round - The Stylistics 18. Sunny - Bobby Hebb 19. Together - Tierra 20. Love On A Two-Way Street - The Moments 21. Look in My Eyes - The Chantels 22. Wishing On A Star - Rose Royce 23. Could It Be I'm Falling in Love - The Spinners 24. Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) - The Delfonics 25. Save the Last Dance for Me - The Drifters

One notable book on the topic is John A. Jackson's "A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul," published in 2004. In it, Jackson explores the evolution of Philly Soul, tracing its roots to the doo-wop groups of the 1950s and 1960s and the influence of legendary producers like Gamble and Huff. He also examines the racial dynamics of the music industry at the time, noting how Philadelphia's black-owned record labels challenged the traditional power structure of the industry. One of the notable quotes from the book is when Jackson writes, "The Philadelphia sound - that sophisticated, orchestral amalgam of funk, soul, R&B, and doo-wop - served as a funky urban dance music, complete with lush strings, driving bass lines, and syncopated horns to keep the fans on the dance floor." Similarly, David W. Young's "The Sound of Philadelphia," published in 2020, focuses on the music and artists of Philly Soul. Young, a music historian, explores the cultural landscape of Philadelphia in the 1960s and 1970s, examining the ways in which the city's musical scene informed the development of the genre. He also interviews many of the key players in the Philly Soul scene, including producers, songwriters, and musicians, offering unique insights into the creation of some of the era's classic records. A notable excerpt from the book is when Young writes, "The magic of the Philadelphia sound was its ability to balance the rawness of soul music with the sweetness of pop, ultimately creating a sound that was both sophisticated and accessible." Another book that provides valuable insights into Philly Soul is Anthony Heilbut's "The Gospel Sound: Good News and Bad Times." Although the book is primarily focused on gospel music, Heilbut devotes a chapter to the Philly Sound, explaining how the genre's fusion of gospel, R&B, and pop created a unique sound that reflected the social and cultural changes of the era. Heilbut also explores the religious influences that shaped the sound, noting how many of the key players in the Philly Soul scene, including Gamble and Huff, were deeply religious. One of the notable quotes of the book is when Heilbut says, "Philly Soul was the product of creative minds steeped in the gospel tradition, yet tuned in to the pulse of the secular world." In addition to books, countless articles, essays, and reviews have been written about Philly Soul over the years. Many writers have praised the genre's unique sound, with some describing it as "smooth," "sophisticated," and "soulful." Others have noted the social and political significance of the music, citing how it reflected the struggles of African Americans and other marginalized groups during a time of political and social upheaval.

Philly Soul emerged in a social context that saw significant changes in American society. The Civil Rights Movement was still ongoing, and the African American community was still fighting for their rights and equality. This social climate helped fuel the rise of soul music as a form of cultural expression for black Americans. The music was a way to convey messages of hope, pride, and empowerment. Philly Soul was also influenced by the cultural context of Philadelphia. The city had a thriving music scene that was focused on R&B and soul music. The city was home to several notable record labels, including Philadelphia International Records, which was founded by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The label played a significant role in shaping the sound of Philly Soul and was responsible for producing many hits in the genre. Philadelphia was also a city that was steeped in the history of jazz music. Musicians like John Coltrane and Dizzy Gillespie were from the city, and their influence can be seen in the smooth, jazzy elements of Philly Soul. Philly Soul was also a product of the technological context of the time. The emergence of new recording technologies made it possible to create a more polished, polished sound than previous genres. The use of multi-track recording and advanced mixing techniques allowed producers to create a more sophisticated sound that was different from the raw, gritty sound of the blues and early R&B. As mentioned earlier, Philadelphia International Records played a significant role in the development of Philly Soul. The label was founded in 1971 and quickly became a leading producer of soul music. It was responsible for producing many hits in the genre, including "Love Train" by The O'Jays and "If You Don't Know Me By Now" by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Other notable record labels that played a role in the development of Philly Soul included Arctic Records, which was founded by Jimmy Bishop and John Madara, and Cameo-Parkway Records, which was one of the most prominent independent record labels of the time. Philly Soul was also shaped by the work of journalists and other music industry figures. Don Cornelius, host of the television show Soul Train, helped to promote and popularize the genre. The show featured performances by many Philly Soul artists and helped to expose the genre to a broader audience. Other notable figures in the industry include Thom Bell, who was a producer and songwriter for Philadelphia International Records. Bell was responsible for producing many hits in the genre and was responsible for the sound of many iconic Philly Soul artists, including The Stylistics.