K-Chuck Radio: The True Sound of Philadelphia

Last Monday, I wrote a blog post about the eventual demolition of 309 South Broad Street, the home of Philadelphia International Records and the sound of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.  Well, it occurred to me that there are some people out there who are not 100% familiar with “The Sound of Philadelphia,” the tracks that made a nation dance and groove and boogie.

Just as the sound of Motown could be easily identified with the backing group of the Funk Brothers; so too could the Sound of Philadelphia be quickly ear-checked by the house band MFSB.  MFSB was a mixture of jazz musicians, blues artists, and Philadelphia symphony orchestra veterans.  That’s why you hear those jumpy bass guitars and violins all in perfect sync.  And then add those stirring vocals from Eddie Levert or Teddy Pendergrass or any of the other PIR artists… mix well…

Why am I babbling?  Here’s some 70’s era Philly Soul for you.  Crank your computer speakers up now.

The O’JAYS
Backstabbers

True 70’s soul music should have violins. And snap drums. And a hard piano intro.

THE INTRUDERS
I’ll Always Love My Mama

The Intruders worked with Gamble and Huff for many years, even before the creation of Philadelphia International Records. They had this hit for PIR in the mid-70’s.

BILLY PAUL
Me and Mrs. Jones

This is the full-length version of the song. I say that because the 7-inch 45 that used to play on radio at the time had its second lyric – the one that explicitly points out the infidelity of the two people in the song – edited out.

HAROLD MELVIN AND THE BLUE NOTES
If You Don’t Know Me By Now

Featuring lead vocalist Teddy Pendergrass. Nuff ced.

THE O’JAY’S
Love Train

This song can only be played with a performance by the Soul Train Dancers. Don’t argue with me.

THE JACKSONS
Enjoy Yourself

After Michael and his brothers left Motown, they worked with Gamble and Huff for two albums, generating hits like this. They may have played instruments in this video clip, but the real music backing track came from MFSB.

THE THREE DEGREES
When Will I See You Again?

In Europe, the Three Degrees had dozens of hits. In the United States, they are best known for this beautiful bouncy track. And this is probably the best track anybody could remember them by.

MFSB
TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)

Okay, it’s also known as the “Soul Train” theme, but this killer track features the skills of Philadelphia International Records’ 42-piece house band. And oh yeah, that’s the Three Degrees singing in the background.

McFADDEN AND WHITEHEAD
Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now

Gene McFadden and John Whitehead produced and wrote several hits for Philadelphia International Records, and they also performed this huge late 70’s track. If you’re ever feeling down in the dumps… this song will pick you up in nothing flat. NOTHING FLAT.

TEDDY PENDERGRASS
Close The Door

After he left Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass recorded a mountain of best-selling LP’s for Philadelphia International Records. I suspect that every single woman in the 1970’s bought at least three copies of every one of his LP’s.

This is the legacy of Philadelphia International Records, this is the sound that resonated through car stereos and turntables. This is the music that defined 70’s soul music.

And it’s right here on K-Chuck Radio!