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  DavidS91 (davids91) 2-Debutant Username: davids91 Post Number: 23 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.81.26.46 |
Okay, I admit it, I'm a "back of the album cover" person. That means that for the last 30 years I've been much more interested in the back cover when looking through soul albums than the front cover. Why? Because I'm checking out the producers and the musicians in the hopes of finding Philly productions I didn't know about. Of course, nowadays it's a case of diminishing returns, since I feel I've found most of the albums produced by Gamble/Huff, Thom Bell, Norman Harris, Baker-Harris-Young, Bobby Eli, etc. But for the past 30 years, it's been one of my favorite past-times. I thought I'd start a thread about some of the albums I've found in the hopes that others like me might enjoy some of these discoveries (and find these incredible albums) and perhaps share some that maybe I've missed. I don't have all of the titles of these LP's off-hand (the albums are not beside me at the moment), but here are some of the gems I've found over the years... First off... 1. Charles Mann - 1973 LP on ABC. Features the entire MFSB rhythm section on the entire album! 2. Soul Train Dancers LP - 1975. Produced by Norman Harris! Incredible music! 3. Impact - 1976 WMOT LP. Never heard of this group until I found this great, great LP produced by the list's own Bobby Eli. 4. Dee Dee Bridgewater LP - 1979 or 1980 - Produced by Thom Bell!! The whole album! Has a red cover and is on Elektra. 5. Return of the Moonglows - RCA 1972. I actually bought this LP because I was a fan of the Moonglows. Imagine my surprise when I discoverd that the musicians were Harris, Baker, Young and Bobby Eli! Wow! 6. Clyde McPhatter - Welcome Home - 1970, Decca - The last album by this legend was produced by Baker-Harris and Young around 1970. I bet there's a great story out there about working with Clyde! 7. B.B. King LP - 1972 - ABC Records. He worked with the MFSB rhythm section on an album from 1972. Don't know the title off-hand. 8. Whispers - Bingo. 1973 - Janus Records. The Philly Sound doesn't get any better than this LP. If you've never heard it, find it! It's an incredible LP that I've been listening to for over 30 years! 9. The Persuaders - Best Thing that Ever Happened To Me - Atco - 1974. This LP is produced by "The Young Professionals" and features the MFSB rhythm section. Incredible LP I only found a few years ago! Just great! 10. Ben E. King - Atlantic Records - He did about 1/2 an album with Norman Harris Producing from about 1975. I believe it's called, "I Had a Love." Some great stuff! 11. Two Major Harris albums ("My Way" and "Jealousy") produced by Bobby Eli. Really great Philly Soul from Major Harris asnd Mr. Eli. And I never heard these until years after they came out. 12. Dionne Warwick - Track of the Cat - 1975 - Thom Bell arranging and producing, with most of the songs written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed! Wow!!!!! 13. The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh - 1978 - This Soundtrack to a movie I never heard of is also produced and arranged entirely by Thom Bell (he even sort of sings on one track). Including non-LP songs by William Hart (of the Delfonics), Phyllis Hyman and the Spinners! Great music! 14. Ronnie Dyson - 1973 - Thom Bell produced the first four songs on "One Man Band." Classic, classic Philly soul! 15. Little Anthony and the Imperials - 1973 - Thom Bell produced the first side of this LP (Teddy Randazzo produced the second side). Has a killer, killer version of "Loneliest House on the Block" (two years before it was recorded by Blue Magic. Anyway, these are some of my favorite albums that I've found over the years through searching the back covers of records. Any others I'm missing? | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 2783 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Hi David, I would suggest that you also find the LP, It's Rough Out Here by The Modulations. It also has the Philly gang playing on it. Yes, indeed, William Hart's Follow Every Dream is terrific. And I always loved Magic Mona. I remember going to the movies to see that silly movie. Dr. J...movie star  Bingo Lp is great & so is The Soul Train Gang LP. I never found The Moonglows LP, but I loved their funky remake of Sincerely in 1972. I also never knew that the Philly Crew was involved with it either. Now, I really want to hear that LP. | ||
Manny (manny) 6-Zenith Username: manny Post Number: 483 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.124.51.120 |
Hi, DavidS91, These are a few others some of wich I only saw and read the back cover in some music store and some other i got it (or have had) or got only the single: -Brenda Mitchel got one album with the Don Renaldo's strings and Sweethearts of Sigma chorus in the mid 70's. -Stanley Turrentine got another mid 70's album with MFSB strings & horns section and Sweethearts background vocals -"Temptations", the album produced by Thom Bell for Motown wich includes the single "Aiming At Your Heart" / "Life Of A Cowboy" -Four Tops got a Baker-Harris-Young produced album (something as "The Night Lights Of The City", ?) from wich issued the single "Put It On The News" / "When Your Dreams Flying" -"A Portrait Of Melba" by Melba Moore in Buddah, 1978, is totally writed-produced by McFadden - Whitehead - Cohen -Nancy Wilson got some albums produced by Gamble & Huff as "I'm Now A Woman" -Ecstasy Passion & Pain got a LP produced by Harris Baker Young -I got a compilation by Johnny Mathis, "I'm In Love With You" on Pickwick Intl. with all the songs prod. and writed by Bell-Creed. Fantastic the one "Life Is A Song Worth Singing" -The Dramatics got one album in MCA, 1980, "10 & Half", wth a half of the songs with Philly musicians as TJ Tindall and recorded at Sigma. The other half is recorded in LA. -Eloise Laws got a untitled album produced by Thom Bell around 1979 - 80 -"Heartbeat" Lp by Curtis Mayfield got much material produced-writed by Norman Harris and Bunny Sigler -"Castles In The Sky" by Futures in Buddah (1976) includes songs writed-produced by Young Professionals and arrangements by Vince Montana Jr. Finally I got some of the best known outside productions LP's by Phillysound master producers that are my faves: "Magic Of The Blue" (Blue Magic on Atco); "Going Up On Smoke" (Eddie Kendricks on Motown); "Live!" (Blue Magic, Margie Joseph, Major Harris on WMOT); "New & Improved" (Spinners on Atlantic); "Whole World's Dancing" (Trammps on Atlantic); "A Night To Remember" (Eddie Holman on Salsoul); "Ten Percent" (Double Exposure on Salsoul). Peace & Soul Food | ||
DavidS91 (davids91) 2-Debutant Username: davids91 Post Number: 24 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.81.26.46 |
Thanks Manny. I knew I missed some when making my list! There's also a great Archie Bell and the Drells LP on Atlantic "There's Gonna Be A Showdown" by Gamble/Huff, and the Sweet Inspiration, "Sweet Soul Music." And another one I forgot was an album by "The Mighty Clouds of Joy" done by MFSB around 1973... Juicefree20, thanks for the reminder. I've got that Modulations LP. A great record! Plus, can't forget "Dream World" by the Continental Four. Man, these are all just incredible, and the tip of the iceberg! | ||
DavidS91 (davids91) 2-Debutant Username: davids91 Post Number: 25 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.81.26.46 |
The Moonglow LP was produced by Harvey Fuqua. I believe it was recorded in New York (!), but features Baker-Harris-Young and Bobby Eli (and other MFSB regulars) on all tracks! It's from 1972 and a great album. Most of it is just updating doo wop standards, but they do in so, so well! | ||
mike s (mike_s) 5-Doyen Username: mike_s Post Number: 217 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.93.33.7 |
Apart from the Charles Mann album mentioned, there are two other off the wall albums on ABC in the mid70s. Both were produced by Dave Crawford (Candi Staton etc) and mostly recorded in Philly with the usual suspects (!) including Mr Eli... BB King's Friends (the one mentioned I presume but released in 74) ....and the Mighty Clouds of Joy - It's Time. Wonderful music and the Clouds really move. A great mix of gospel, soul, blues with a Philly flavour. The Charles Mann record was probably also done by Dave Crawford as I think they used to work together in Florida (Criteria). Crawford manages to get a slightly heavier sound than, say G and H, which blends well with the meterial and artists. That Little Anthony album is a beauty...I love the Teddy Randazzo tracks on the other side as well. I am now going to go looking for the Nancy Wilson LP mentioned. | ||
mike s (mike_s) 5-Doyen Username: mike_s Post Number: 219 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.93.33.7 |
Looking at the back of the album cover....Charles Mann played keyboards on the Mighty Clouds album along with the MFSB rhythm section. Strings and horns were done in Memphis and ex Motown and Stax arranger Wade Marcus did the arrangements. Dave Crawford must have liked travelling! Best track on It's Time is the title track (All we need is just a little more time, time to slow down). Amen! | ||
Manny (manny) 6-Zenith Username: manny Post Number: 484 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.124.52.201 |
Hello Submarine again, Phillybusters! Mighty Clouds Of Joy's "Kickin'" album in ABC also features the MFSB rythm section habituals. Migthy Clouds Of Joy's "Truth Is The Power" in ABC includes Neil Larsen and F. Beckmeier (from Soul Survivors) but at this time, 1977, I don't knows if these two Soul Survivor's members have left the band and / or the group left Philly Intl. Also I got another Curtis Mayfield LP, "Do It All Night" on RSO, 1979. But as many cases of albums pressed in Spain, don't have credit musicians information. Only some linner notes by Curtis who give the special thanks to Bobby Eli. The strings sounds very similar to Don Renaldo's strings. Also I see one time one album by Gladys Knight & The Pips with Harris, Felder, Tyson, etc. in the credits. I knows Bunny Sigler produced another LP by the Pips without Gladys. We are talkin' about 70's, OK? Also remember the Gamble-Huff outside work production for Barbara Streisand, Laura Nyro, Joe Simon, Wilson Pickett. And Bobby Martin and Bobby Eli production work for LTD and Atlantic Starr. And Thom Bell for Deniece Williams, And T Life for Evelin "Champagne" King. Peace & Soul Food | ||
Manny (manny) 6-Zenith Username: manny Post Number: 485 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.124.52.115 |
Hi! I missed to add another Harris-Baker-Young production, one album by The Dells wich i have read very good reviews but never find: "They Sayd That Were Impossible But We Do It" (or something like that). This was in the mid 70's. Also don't miss the outside productions by Thom Bell for Avco Embassy, the great Stylistic's albums or New York City. Or the MFSB music and production - arranging fine work in some Manhattans albums. Also "After Midnight" LP by Manhattans was produced by Harris-Baker-Young. Finally, I got the single "Blame It On The Boogie" by Jacksons (this was after their deal with PIR for two albums, "Jacksons" and "Goin' Places"). The B side ("Do What You Wanna" is produced by G & H. Peace! | ||
DavidS91 (davids91) 2-Debutant Username: davids91 Post Number: 26 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.81.26.46 |
I could never find anything released by Barbara Streisand done in Philly. Please let me know what you've found... I'd love to hear it! | ||
Manny (manny) 6-Zenith Username: manny Post Number: 487 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.124.51.222 |
Also i never find nothing by Barbara Streisand produced by G & H. I read this in a back cover of a spanish Epic - LP compilation by various artists (O'Jays, Brenton Wood,...) where explains briefly the career of G & H and says that �at this moment are working with Barbara Streisand� (this album is from 1973). Linner notes by music critical Diego A. Manrique in "Az�car Negro" (Epic LP, 1973) Don't miss the David Bowie LP "Young Americans". My sister got it and was recorded at Sigma with Larry Washington at congas and bongos and John Lennon as guitarist among other luminaires. Peace & Soul Food! | ||
mike s (mike_s) 5-Doyen Username: mike_s Post Number: 220 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.93.33.7 |
Norman Harris ,Bunny Sigler and Curtis all produced tracks for the Curtis album Heartbeat in 1979 for RSO. I didn't know that Gladys and the Pips had any material as a group done by B-H-Y...when they were at Buddah or Columbia. Although the Pips without Gladys I think did. The Dells had TWO albums produced in the late 70s by Norman H and the Harris Machine - They Said It Couldn't Be Done and Love Connection. Our Love was the biggest hit. Solid stuff but somehow the Dells never quite blended with the Philly Sound,wonder if it would have worked with G and H if they had signed in the 70s. Bobby E wrote one track on Love Connection called God Helps Those. This was just before Norman launched his Gold Mind label and after the run of success he'd had with Eddie Kendricks. He also did a few tracks on After Midnight for the Manhattans but Leo Graham's Shining Star was the killer song, done in the Windy City. Bobby Martin's work with the Manhattans was exemplary in the 70s. | ||
mike s (mike_s) 5-Doyen Username: mike_s Post Number: 222 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.93.33.7 |
Private Property on the Love Connection album has a killer hook. Would be ideal for the Temps these days. | ||
roger (roger) 5-Doyen Username: roger Post Number: 180 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.35.87.17 |
Hello everyone. Mike S has briefly mentioned EDDIE KENDRICKS but no-one seems to have yet mentioned the two L.P.s that the Post-Kendricks TEMPTATIONS recorded when they were briefly with Atlantic Records around 1977/78. I have one of these L.Ps .. "Hear to Tempt You" and it is Philly through and through, and although it is worth a listen, the problem is, it doesn't really have a "Temptations" Sound. However, the two Motown (Tamla) L.Ps that EDDIE KENDRICKS did in Philadelphia with NORMAN HARRIS, "He's a Friend" and "Going Up In Smoke" are both excellent. Roger | ||
roger (roger) 5-Doyen Username: roger Post Number: 181 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.35.87.17 |
Hello again. The other TEMPTATIONS Atlantic L.P. was called "Bare Back", and I believe it was also a "Philly" recording. I've found an Atlantic L.P. discography of the period that includes the track listing of both of these. http://www.bsnpubs.com/atlanti c/atlantic19100.html "Hear to Tempt You" is SD-19143. "Bare Back" is SD-19188. Roger | ||
Manny (manny) 6-Zenith Username: manny Post Number: 490 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.124.51.68 |
Hey, Mike S, I'm sure to have see the names Tyson, Felder, Harris in the credits of a Gladys Knight & The Pips LP in a music store. This was in the 80's and the album, for the way they were dressed in the photo of the cover, was surely from 80's also. Another great Thom Bell production was with Chuck Mangione, "Land Of Make Believe". Peace! | ||
zebop (zebop) 4-Laureate Username: zebop Post Number: 153 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Hey everyone "Bare Back" wasn't a Philly production, it was produced by Brian and Eddie Holland. I had the 8 track (a better 8 track than LP somehow) and I still have a vinyl copy of it. For me, I really only liked "I See My Child." Of course "Hear To Tempt You" was a Philly production, ok but it just wasn't as good as those Trammps albums of the time. That Louis Price/Glenn Leonard group did have some great harmonies however. There is another Tempts album in the can, somewhere at Atlantic. It's produced by Ron "Have Mercy" Kersey. (Message edited by zebop on October 12, 2004) | ||
Kdubya (paladin) 5-Doyen Username: paladin Post Number: 407 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 152.132.8.197 |
Like Can We Share in Love ???......great, great song, as was I Can See my Child (rare Otis lead), on the latter Louis Price sounded erriely like Jerry Butler. Zebop you da man.!! | ||
roger (roger) 5-Doyen Username: roger Post Number: 186 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.35.87.17 |
Hello again everyone. Thanks Zebop for clearing up the confusion about THE TEMPTATIONS' "Bare Back". I'd heard somewhere ( probably on this forum!! ) that they had recorded two L.Ps in Philly, and had wrongly assumed that they had both been released!! There is also an unreleased "Philly" L.P. by JERMAINE JACKSON out there somewhere, although one track "Whats Good For the Goose" has been released recently on a compilation C.D. Roger | ||
zebop (zebop) 4-Laureate Username: zebop Post Number: 155 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 152.163.100.134 |
Heh, heh thanks Kdubya, no you da man LOL. Yeah I like "Can We Share In Love" and "I See My Child" too. You're right Price sounding like Jerry Butler on that song and those harmonies, that song is bad. Of all the Tempts albums, I probably play songs from "Hear To Tempt You" and "Power" the most. No problem Roger, yeah that third one's somewhere. Unfortunately I don't see Atlantic or Rhino finally releasing it. That Jermaine Jackson song is great, don't see any reason why that wasn't released at the time... (Message edited by zebop on October 13, 2004) | ||
Manny (manny) 6-Zenith Username: manny Post Number: 493 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.124.51.30 |
Hello again, soulful folks! I have missed to mention Gabor Szabo's (RIP) album produced (or co-produced, ?) by Bunny Sigler. Was supoused recorded in Philly and features a cover of Bunny's "Keep Smilin'". Also I read that The Tymes recorded at Sigma Sound in their RCA years in first 70's (appart from the fact they made chorus for PIR artists as in "O Child" by Dee Dee Sharp). Joe Simon recorded another time at Sigma after his "Drawing In A Sea Of Love" LP, i don't knows if was another album, but i'm sure about the single "Power Of Love". In the case of Astrud Gilberto i knows she recorded at Sigma also, but i don't knows about the intervention of Philly musicians or only the engineering services (?). This last case is the case of "Solar Wind" album by Ramsey Lewis or the re-mix service of Sigma Sound in Isaac Haye's "New Horizon" LP. Peace & Soul Food! |
