Philadelphia International Records

"The Sound of Philadelphia" redirects here. For the similarly-titled recording, see TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia).
Philadelphia International Records
Parent company Sony Music Entertainment
Founded 1971
Founder Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
Distributor(s) Legacy Recordings (re-issues)
Genre Funk, R&B, soul, disco
Country of origin United States
Location Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia International Records (PIR) is an American record label based in Philadelphia. It was founded in 1971 by the writer-producer duo, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, along with their long time collaborator Thom Bell. It was famous for showcasing the Philadelphia soul music genre (also known as Philly soul) that was founded on the gospel, doo-wop, and soul music of the time. This Philly Soul sound later became a prominent and distinct era within R&B itself.[1] During the 1970s the label released a string of worldwide hits which emphasized lavish orchestral instrumentation, heavy bass, and driving percussion. Some of their most popular and best selling acts included Patti LaBelle, The O'Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, MFSB, Billy Paul, and Lou Rawls. Between 1971 and the early 80s, the label sold over 170 gold and platinum records.[2] Philadelphia International Records has been mostly defunct since 1987, and finally shut down in 2001. As of 2007, Sony Music Entertainment owns all rights to the Philadelphia International Records music catalogue.[3]

Beginning and success

Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, the founders of Philadelphia International Records, met in 1964 while they were both playing as session musicians for various labels, including Philadelphia based Cameo-Parkway Records, whose building would later become home to Philadelphia International Records recording studio. In 1965, Huff joined Gamble's band, The Romeos, a popular moniker at the time, by replacing future Philadelphia International Records producer and arranger Thom Bell on piano. Kenny Gamble and The Romeos had seen little success up to that point playing for their label, Arctic Records, and split up soon after. When the Romeos disbanded, Gamble and Huff went on to start one of the first iterations of Philadelphia International Records, which they named Excel and Gamble. The success of their biggest signing, The Intruders, brought attention to Gamble and Huff, which allowed them to create Neptune Records in 1969. Neptune Records, a more ambitious project for the duo, was financed by Chess Records Group, and allowed them to sign later Philadelphia International Records artists The O'Jays and The Three Degrees. When Chess Records Group's management changed hands in 1969, Neptune Records folded. With the collapse of Naptune Records, Gamble and Huff transferred their signed artists onto a new project, Philadelphia International Records.[4] Looking to attract new black acts to their label, Columbia Records was convinced to sign on for an exclusive production contract with Gamble and Huff's new Philadelphia International Records.

The label was set up in connection with Mighty Three/Assorted Music, the music publishing company run by Gamble, Huff and another Philadelphia producer, Thom Bell, to showcase their songs.

The label's major hits included: "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" by MFSB, featuring The Three Degrees, 1974 (which was later adopted as the theme of the TV dance-music show Soul Train); "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" by McFadden & Whitehead (writers and producers with the label), 1979; "Back Stabbers" and "Love Train" by The O'Jays, 1972/3; "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and "The Love I Lost" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, 1972/3; "Me and Mrs. Jones" by Billy Paul, 1972; "When Will I See You Again" by The Three Degrees, 1974; and "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" by Lou Rawls, 1976.

The label had a distribution deal with CBS Records until 1984. Distribution of the catalog from 1976 onwards was then taken over by EMI, but CBS/Sony Music Entertainment continued to distribute material recorded up to 1976. In 2007, Sony's Legacy Recordings regained the rights to Philadelphia International's full catalog and the following year, PIR/Legacy released a box set titled Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia.[5]

Most of the music released by the label was recorded and produced at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, with chief engineer (later studio owner) Joe Tarsia recording many of the sessions. More than 30 resident studio musicians, known together as MFSB "Mother Father Sister Brother", were based at this studio and backed up most of these recordings. Some of these musicians also acted as arrangers, writers or producers for Philadelphia International as well as for other labels recording in the city. They included Bobby Martin,[6][7] Norman Harris, Thom Bell, Ronnie Baker, Vince Montana and later, Jack Faith and John Usry.

Gamble and Huff worked as independent producers with a series of artists in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including Jerry Butler, Wilson Pickett and Dusty Springfield. They also produced The Jacksons' first two albums for Epic/CBS after the group had left Motown in 1976. The first, titled The Jacksons featured the platinum-selling single "Enjoy Yourself", and a second album, Goin' Places followed in 1977. Although on CBS subsidiary Epic, both albums and the singles also carried a Philadelphia International logo.

In 1965, Gamble and Huff started an independent label, Excel Records. It was soon renamed Gamble Records and in 1972, was folded into Philadelphia International as a subsidiary. In 1974, the subsidiary's name was changed to TSOP Records, from the aforementioned 1974 hit single, "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)". Artists for Excel/Gamble/TSOP included Dee Dee Sharp, and Archie Bell & the Drells. Later signings to the Philly International roster in the 1980s and 1990s, included Patti Labelle, The Stylistics, Phyllis Hyman, and The Dells.

Between 1973 and 1975, Gamble and Huff also distributed a boutique label called Golden Fleece, set up by musicians Norman Harris, Ronnie Baker and Earl Young, which released the second album by The Trammps. G & H also had a short-lived subsidiary called Thunder Records. Created by Thom Bell, it only had two singles from Derek & Cyndi (You Bring Out the Best in Me/I'll Do the Impossible for You) who were produced by Bell, and Fatback Band member Michael Walker whose single (I Got the Notion, You Got the Motion) was produced by The Spinners' member Philippe Wynne.[8]

Later period

By the mid 1980s, Philadelphia International Records ended their distribution deal with Columbia, who they had worked with since their inception. The label was soon after picked up by Capitol/EMI records. They continued to make hits, including Shirley Jones' "Do You Get Enough Love," but their most successful years were behind them.

In the 1990s, Philadelphia International launched a new subsidiary, Uncensored Records. Featuring Damon and No Question, this label releases hip hop music. Philadelphia International now largely concentrates on licensing its music catalog worldwide and has issued few new recordings since the mid-80s, when Gamble and Huff wound down their studio work together.

In 1989, Gamble and Huff were awarded their first Grammy Award. Simply Red's cover of "If You Don't Know Me By Now," written by Gamble and Huff, won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song.[9] 10 years later in 1999, Gamble and Huff were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Grammy from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. In 2008, the duo were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the non-performer category, joining their band the O'Jays who were inducted in 2005.[10]

In November, 2009, PBS aired the two-part special, Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia, which celebrates the legacy of Gamble & Huff and the family of Philadelphia International Records artists. The concert was shot in front of a live audience on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, and showcased TSOP artists.

In February 2010, Gamble and Huff suffered a setback when fire swept through parts of their offices on Philadelphia's Broad Street. The building was previously the home of another iconic part of the city's musical heritage, Cameo-Parkway Records, based there during the 1950s and 1960s, and has become a tourist attraction. The fire was started deliberately by a man who had broken into the offices while so intoxicated by alcohol (in excess of four times the legal limit for driving a vehicle) that he had no recollection of the crime afterward.[11]

In August 2011, in honor of the 40th Year Anniversary of the company, Philadelphia International Records launched TSOP Soul Radio, an online radio station that allows fans from all around the world the chance to tune in and listen to music and interviews from the legendary Gamble and Huff catalog.

The building that housed Philadelphia International Records located on Broad & Spruce Street was damaged by arson in 2010 and was effectively shut down. It was sold to local developer Dranoff Properties in 2014. On Saturday April 18, 2015 demolition started on the building. The new owners Dranoff Properties plan to build an SLS International Hotel at the site of the building which plans to open in Fall 2017.[12]

Gamble and Huff have written over 3000 songs throughout their careers, making them two of the most efficient and productive songwriters of all time. They continue to write songs together from their homes in South Philadelphia.[13]

Philly Soul

Philadelphia soul, or Philly soul, was a form of soul music that came out of Philadelphia during the mid 1960s. It provided a smoother alternative to the deep soul of the 60s while maintaining the soul and emotion of popular R&B of the time.[14] Philadelphia International Records was one of the most successful labels to capitalize on this new genre, and took it to the international stage with acts like the O'Jays and Teddy Pendergrass. Philly Soul is known for its incorporation of lush string arrangements along with penetrating brass, and often tells very personal and emotional stories. The world renowned Philadelphia Orchestra's string section was often employed to play on many of Philadelphia International Record's tracks.[15] Philly Soul is often considered a producer's genre, the essence of the genre coming mostly out of Gamble, Huff, Bell, and the other producers within PIR. Philly Soul, with its driving rhythms, later became the inspiration from which the disco craze of the 70s was born.

Discography

Catalog numbers from 1971 to 1985 are part of CBS Records' overall numbering system, and therefore are discontinuous. Catalog numbers for albums released after 1991 are from Philadelphia International's distribution deal with Zoo Entertainment.

Catalog Album Artist Year
KZ 30580Going EastBilly Paul 1971
KZ 31648Harold Melvin & The Blue NotesHarold Melvin & Blue Notes 1972
KZ 31712Back StabbersO'Jays 1972
KZ 31793360 Degrees of Billy PaulBilly Paul 1972
KZ 31794Dick JensenDick Jensen 1973
ZX 31991Save The ChildrenIntruders 1973
KZ 32046MFSBMFSB 1973
KZ 32118Ebony WomanBilly Paul 1973
KZ 32119Feelin' Good At The Cadillac ClubBilly Paul 1973
KZ 32120The O'Jays In PhiladelphiaO'Jays 1973
KZ 32131Super HitsIntruders 1973
KZ 32404Spiritual ConceptSpiritual Concept 1973
KZ 32406The Three DegreesThree Degrees 1973
KZ/ZQ 32407Black And BlueHarold Melvin & Blue Notes 1973
KZ/PZ/PZQ 32408Ship AhoyO'Jays 1973
KZ 32409War Of The Gods Billy Paul 1973
KZ 32419The EbonysEbonys 1973
KZ/ZQ 32707Love is the MessageMFSB 1973
KZ 32713The Sound Of Philadelphia '73Various Artists 1973
KZ 32859That's How I'll Be Loving YouBunny Sigler 1974
KZ 32952Live In EuropeBilly Paul 1974
KZ/PZQ 32953The O'Jays Live In LondonO'Jays 1974
KZ/PZ 33148To Be TrueHarold Melvin & Blue Notes 1975
KZ 33150SurvivalO'Jays 1975
KZ 33152PotpourriThad Jones & Mel Lewis 1975
KZ 33153RealityMonk Montgomery 1974
KZ 33154Boogie Down U.S.A.People's Choice 1975
PZ 33157Got My Head On StraightBilly Paul 1975
PZ 33158Universal LoveMFSB 1975
KZ 33162InternationalThree Degrees 1975
KZ 33249Keep Smilin'Bunny Sigler 1975
PZ/PZQ 33807Family ReunionO'Jays 1975
PZ/PZQ 33808Wake Up EverybodyHarold Melvin & Blue Notes 1975
PZ 33839Happy 'Bout The Whole ThingDee Dee Sharp 1976
PZ 33840The Three Degrees LiveThree Degrees 1975
PZ 33841Could It Be MagicAnthony White 1976
PZ 33843When Love Is NewBilly Paul 1975
PZ/PZQ 33845Philadelphia FreedomMFSB 1975
PZ 33957All Things in TimeLou Rawls 1976
PZ 33958Travelin' In Heavy TrafficDon Covay 1976
PZ 34079Life On MarsDexter Wansel 1976
PZ 34122From North Philly (Live)Dap 'Sugar' Willie 1976
PZ 34123Unemployment BluesForce Of Nature 1976
JE/PE 34229The JacksonsJacksons 1976
PZ 34232Collectors' Item: All Their Greatest Hits!Harold Melvin & Blue Notes 1976
PZ 34238SummertimeMFSB 1976
PZ 34245Message in the MusicO'Jays 1976
PZ 34267My MusicBunny Sigler 1976
PZ 34323Where Will You Go When The Party's OverArchie Bell & the Drells 1976
PZ 34346Bicentennial PoetJean-Claude T. 1976
PZ 34358Get Down With The Philly JumpInstant Funk 1976
PZ 34389Let 'Em InBilly Paul 1976
JZ34390Teddy PendergrassTeddy Pendergrass 1977
PZ 34394Jean CarnJean Carn 1977
PZ 34437What Color Is LoveDee Dee Sharp 1977
PZ 34487What the World Is Coming ToDexter Wansel 1977
PZ 34488Unmistakably LouLou Rawls 1977
PZ 34658End Of Phase IMFSB 1977
PZ 34659Let's Clean Up The GhettoVarious Artists 1977
PZ 34684Travelin' at the Speed of ThoughtO'Jays 1977
ZX 34728Disco ChampsTrammps 1977
JE/PE 34835Goin' PlacesJacksons 1977
PZ 34855Hard Not To Like ItArchie Bell & the Drells 1977
PZ 34923Only The Strong SurviveBilly Paul 1977
PZ 34940Philadelphia ClassicsVarious Artists 1977
PZ 34985VoyagerDexter Wansel 1978
PZ 34986Happy To Be With YouJean Carn 1978
PGZ 35024/Z 2-35024The O'Jays: Collectors' ItemsO'Jays 1977
JZ35036When You Hear Lou, You've Heard It AllLou Rawls 1977
JZ35095Life Is a Song Worth SingingTeddy Pendergrass 1978
JZ/PZ 35355So Full of LoveO'Jays 1978
JZ35363Turn Me LoosePeople's Choice 1978
JZ35458Past, Present And The FuturesFutures 1978
JZ35509Rush HourBobby Rush 1978
JZ35510Nothing Says I Love You Like I Love YouJerry Butler 1978
JZ35516MFSB: The Gamble & Huff OrchestraMFSB 1978
PZ 2-35517LiveLou Rawls 1978
JZ35756First ClassBilly Paul 1979
JZ35757The Jones GirlsJones Girls 1979
JZ35758Edwin BirdsongEdwin Birdsong 1979
JZ35800McFadden & WhiteheadMcFadden & Whitehead 1979
FZ36003TeddyTeddy Pendergrass 1979
JZ/PZ 36006Let Me Be Good to YouLou Rawls 1979
JZ36007Michael Pedicin Jr.Michael Pedicin Jr. 1979
JZ36024Time Is Slipping AwayDexter Wansel 1979
FZ36027Identify YourselfO'Jays 1979
JZ36036FrantiqueFrantique 1979
JZ36096StrategyArchie Bell & the Drells 1979
JZ36097The ForceForce 1979
JZ36196When I Find You LoveJean Carn 1979
JZ36294Live! Coast to CoastTeddy Pendergrass 1979
JZ/PZ 36304Sit Down and Talk to MeLou Rawls 1979
JZ36313The Harris MachineNorman Harris 1980
Z 2-36314Best Of Billy PaulBilly Paul 1980
JZ36370Dee DeeDee Dee Sharp 1980
JZ36413The Best LoveJerry Butler 1980
JZ36414Greetings Of PeaceFutures 1981
JZ36745TPTeddy Pendergrass 1980
JZ36758Here to Create MusicLeon Huff 1980
JZ36767At Peace with WomanJones Girls 1980
JZ36774Shades of BlueLou Rawls 1980
FZ/PZ 37380The Spirit's in ItPatti Labelle 1981
FZ37491It's Time for LoveTeddy Pendergrass 1981
FZ37627Get as Much Love as You CanJones Girls 1981
FZ37683Live On StageVarious Artists 1982
FZ37684Best Of Philadelphia InternationalVarious Artists 1982
FZ379551982The Stylistics 1982
FZ37999My Favorite PersonO'Jays 1982
FZ38118This One's For YouTeddy Pendergrass 1982
FZ/PZ 38518When Will I See You AgainO'Jays 1983
FZ38539I'm in Love AgainPatti Labelle 1983
FZ38555Keep It Comin'Jones Girls 1984
FZ38646Heaven Only KnowsTeddy Pendergrass 1983
FZ39251Greatest HitsO'Jays 1984
FZ39252Greatest HitsTeddy Pendergrass 1984
PZ 39254Philadelphia International Dance Classics, Vol. IVarious Artists 1984
PZ 39255Philly Ballads, Volume IVarious Artists 1984
FZ39285ClassicsLou Rawls 1984
FZ39367Love And MoreO'Jays 1984
FZ40020PattiPatti Labelle 1985
11006-1Prime of My LifePhyllis Hyman 1991
11008-1UniverseUniverse 1991
11023-1I Salute YouThe Dells 1992
11040-1I Refuse to Be LonelyPhyllis Hyman 1995
30902Forever with YouPhyllis Hyman 1998

References

  1. ↑ "Starter: Philadelphia International Records". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
  2. ↑ Hardy, Charles. "Recording Industry | Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia". philadelphiaencyclopedia.org. Retrieved 2015-12-08.
  3. ↑ Neal, Mark. "Who Owns the (Philadelphia) Soul of Black Music?". The Root. Retrieved 2015-12-08.
  4. ↑ Hardy, Phil (2001). "The faber companion to 20th century popular music". Faber and Faber ltd.
  5. ↑ CNN
  6. ↑ http://www.soultracks.com/story-bobby-martin-dies Bobby Martin obituary
  7. ↑ Bobby Martin discography at Discogs
  8. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/label/Thunder+%282%29
  9. ↑ "Past Winners Search". The GRAMMYs. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
  10. ↑ "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum". rockhall.com. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
  11. ↑ Philly.com (Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News website) article on conviction of arsonist Retrieved 2011-06-09
  12. ↑ Vince Lattanzio, "Iconic Philadelphia International Records Building Being Demolished," April 18, 2015, NBC10.com.
  13. ↑ "Kenneth Gamble". www.gamble-huffmusic.com. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
  14. ↑ "Philly Soul | Music Highlights | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
  15. ↑ "Ladies of Soul on JSTOR". Retrieved 2015-12-09.

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Iconic-Philadelphia-International-Records-Building-Being-Demolished-Saturday-300420521.html

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, March 01, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.