By drums (208.251.209.82 - 208.251.209.82) on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 06:28 pm:

Hello out there!!

I'm in my car listening to Tom Joyner and he played a MJ tune called "Let Me Show You" (or something like that! )

Im listening to the rythym section and if that is not MFSB then Im crazy!!

Did you guys have a hand in creating tunes for MJ in the 70's??

If so how did that come about and who played what??

Thank you again from a student of the Philly Music Scene!

Daren Metz

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.173 - 62.31.40.173) on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 06:40 pm:

Yes, I believe the mid seventies 'The Jacksons' went Philly!! I think it was their first Philly hit on Epic!! Cue Bobby....

By phillysoulman (64.12.101.166 - 64.12.101.166) on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 07:13 pm:

We did two Jackson's albums at Sigma wit the G&H team. There was a special PIR logo emblazoned on the Epic releases.
The first album and single was called Enjoy Yourself. Show me the way to go became a single also due to heavy radio rotation.

Lebaron Taylor was the senior vice president of the CBS Black music division and my friend and neighbour. When they first flew in to Philly , we took both of our Cadillacs and went to the airport to collect them, and we went directly to Lebaron's home for a welcoming party. It was a wonderful summer day and laid back. Michael kept retreating back into the house to go upstairs to play with the Taylor children who were about four and nine at the time. Indigenous of things to come, eh?

The sessions were great and Michael was given a hand to co-produce some songs, and I believe that "Show me the way"may have ben one of them.I think that the next album may have been a partial one.

The musicians were for the most part:
Charles Collins on drums,Michael"Sugar bear" Forman and Jimmy Williams on bass,Bobby Eli, Dennis Harris, T.J.Tindall and myself on guitars,
Vince Montana on vibes, Larry Washington and Miguel Fuentes and David Cruse on percussion,
Leon Huff and Dexter Wansel on keyboards, and the MFSB strings and horns.

By drums (208.251.209.82 - 208.251.209.82) on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 07:40 pm:

Hey Bobby Eli!!!

You got me again!! I only can wish like other people on this board to have been blessed like that to work with so many artists throughout you career!

I hope that studio time can be put together soon!!

Daren Metz

By Eva (205.153.36.170 - 205.153.36.170) on Tuesday, March 12, 2002 - 05:40 pm:

Hi Phillysoulman!

I am tickled pink to have found this site and to talk about the great music of Motown, and Philly! Above all, it's an honor to even talk to someone who was THERE! This is so mindblowing to me.

I was born in 1960 and thanks to my parents, grew up listening to, and falling in love with the Motown Sound and just music in general. Having been born and raised in Pennsylvania, The Philly Sound is very dear to me. The Delfonics at Philly Groove, The Stylistics, the exquisite writings of Thom Bell and the late, great Linda Creed; Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, MFSB, Mr. Billy Paul, The Mighty, Mighty O'Jays, Teddy (Teddy Bear) Pendergrass and yes, the debut Jackson's Epic release, "Enjoy Yourself". That album is my one of my all-time favorites. I could go on and on about the great music, but then, there wouldn't be any room for anyone else to post! Thank you so much for sharing your contributions to one of the most memorable sounds of the century and thank you for the memories!

Eva

P.S - what has become of Philly sessions bassplayer, Jimmy Williams? There should be more information available on him! He is truly one of the greats!

By phillysoulman (64.12.97.11 - 64.12.97.11) on Tuesday, March 12, 2002 - 06:50 pm:

Hello Eva,
Let me thank you for the kind accolades and for finding this wonderful site which has been an inspiration to as all as true devoted soul lovers and musical historians.
I, for one am not resting on my laurels, so to speak but am currently working with and devoloping new and up and coming young artistes who share my passion and who could very well be the future Michael or the future Tempts!!
We need songs that will become cherished oldies for future generations, and right now these ears do not hear very many that would qualify.

I cannot imagine some young couple of the future listening to the radio and when "The Thong Song"
comes on , say "do you remember the night that we met and we made love to that song honey??
I don't think so. So we need to bring back the beauty of the music that we all know and love.
As for Jimmy Williams, I have worked with him recently at Sigma Sound on some sessions, and he his fine and in good health, and still does gigs with the O'jays.

Eli