Tag Archives: Philadelphia

Spinners: Pick Of The Litter

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In August 1975, “Atlantic” label released “Pick of the Litter”, the sixth Spinners studio album. It was recorded in 1975, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Thom Bell.

Personnel:

  • Billy Henderson, Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynne, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson– vocals
  • Tony Bell, Bobby Eli, Don Murray – guitars
  • Thom Bell– keyboards
  • Bob Babbitt– bass guitar
  • Andrew Smith – drums
  • Larry Washington – congas, bongos
  • MFSB– strings, horns
  • Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Evette Benton – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Honest I Do – Sherman Marshall, Philip Pugh, Thom Bell
  2. I Don’t Want to Lose You – Linda Creed, Thom Bell
  3. Love or Leave – Charles Simmons, Bruce Hawes, Joseph B. Jefferson
  4. Sweet Love of Mine – Vinnie Barrett, Bobby Eli
  5. All That Glitters Ain’t Gold – Philip Terry, Theodore Life, Talmadge Conway
  6. You Made a Promise to Me – Charles Simmons, Bruce Hawes, Joseph B. Jefferson
  7. Games People Play – Joseph B. Jefferson, Bruce Hawes, Charles Simmons
  8. Just as Long as We Have Love – Vinnie Barrett, Bruce Hawes

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes: I Miss You

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In August 1972, “Philadelphia International” label released “I Miss You”, the debut Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes album. It was recorded in 1972, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff.

Personnel:

  • Harold Melvin, Teddy Pendergrass, Bernard Wilson, Lawrence Brown, Lloyd Parks– vocals
  • Norman Harris, Roland Chambers, Bobby Eli– guitar
  • Leon Huff– piano
  • Leonard Pakula – organ
  • Ronnie Baker– bass
  • Earl Young– drums
  • Larry Washington – congas, bongos
  • Vince Montana– vibraphone
  • Sam Reed and his Horns – horns
  • Don Renaldo and his Strings – strings

Track listing:

All tracks by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, except where noted.

  1. I Miss You
  2. Ebony Woman – Morris Bailey
  3. Yesterday I Had the Blues
  4. If You Don’t Know Me by Now
  5. Be for Real – Leon Huff, Cary Gilbert, Kenneth Gamble
  6. Let Me into Your World – Kenneth Gamble, Norman Harris, Allan Felder
  7. Let It Be You

O’Jays: Back Stabbers

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In August 1972, “Philadelphia International” label released “Back Stabbers”, the seventh O’Jays studio album. It was recorded in 1972, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Bunny Sigler.In 2012, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 318 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of all Time.

Personnel:

  • Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey, Bill Isles.– vocals
  • Dennis Harris – guitar
  • Bobby Eli– guitar
  • Roland Chambers – guitar
  • Bunny Sigler– guitar, keyboards, piano
  • Lenny Pakula – keyboards
  • Norman Harris– arranger, guitar
  • Ronnie Baker– bass
  • Lenny Pakula – keyboards
  • Leon Huff– keyboards, piano
  • Earl Young– drums
  • Earl Young– drums
  • Larry Washington – bongos, percussion
  • Vincent Montana, Jr.– percussion, vibraphone
  • Don Renaldo – conductor, horn, strings
  • Thom Bell – arrangements, strings
  • Bobby Martin– arrangements
  • Joe Tarsia– engineer
  • Tony Sellari – art direction
  • Tony Martell – executive producer
  • Adam Block – director

Track listing:

  1. When the World’s at Peace – Kenneth Gamble, Bunny Sigler, Phil Hurtt
  2. Back Stabbers – Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead
  3. Who Am I – Bunny Sigler, Phil Hurtt
  4. (They Call Me) Mr. Lucky – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff,
  5. Time to Get Down – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
  6. 992 Arguments – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
  7. Listen to the Clock on the Wall – Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Kenneth Gamble
  8. Shiftless, Shady, Jealous Kind of People – Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Kenneth Gamble
  9. Sunshine – Bunny Sigler, Phil Hurtt
  10. Love Train – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff

Magazine: The Correct Use Of Soap

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In May 1980, “Virgin” label released “The Correct Use of Soap”, the third Magazine album. It was recorded in 1980, and Martin Hannett.

Personnel:

  • Howard Devoto– vocals
  • John McGeoch– guitar
  • Dave Formula– keyboards
  • Barry Adamson– bass guitar
  • John Doyle– drums
  • Laura Teresa – additional backing vocals
  • Raphael Ravenscroft – saxophone
  • Malcolm Garrett(Aesthetic Images) – design

Track listing:

All tracks by Barry Adamson, Howard Devoto, John Doyle, Dave Formula and John McGeoch, except where noted.

  1. Because You’re Frightened
  2. Model Worker
  3. I’m a Party
  4. You Never Knew Me
  5. Philadelphia
  6. I Want to Burn Again
  7. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) – Sylvester Stewart
  8. Sweetheart Contract
  9. Stuck
  10. A Song from Under the Floorboards

O’Jays: Survival

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In April 1975, “Philadelphia International Records” label released “Survival”, the tenth O’Jays studio. It was recorded in1974, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Kenny Gamble anLeon Huff.

Personnel:

  • Eddie Levert – lead vocal
  • Walter Lee Williams – vocals
  • William Powell – vocals
  • Bobby Massey – vocals
  • Bill Isles – vocals
  • MFSB – instrumentation
  • Bobby Martyn – arrangements
  • Joe Tarsia – engineer
  • Jose Gerson – artwork
  • Ed Lee – design
  • Don Hunstein – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, except where noted.

  1. Give the People What They Want
  2. Let Me Make Love to You – Bunny Sigler, Allan Felder
  3. Survival
  4. Where Did We Go Wrong
  5. Rich Get Richer
  6. How Time Flies
  7. What Am I Waiting For – Sigler, Ron Tyson
  8. Never Break Us Up – Leon Huff

Spinners: Same

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In April 1973, “Atlantic” label released the third, self-titled Spinners album. It was recorded 1972-1973, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Thom Bell.

Personnel:

  • Billy Henderson, Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynne, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson– vocals
  • Roland Chambers, Norman Harris, Bobby Eli– guitar
  • Thom Bell– piano
  • Ronnie Baker– bass
  • Earl Young– drums
  • Larry Washington – congas, bongos
  • Vince Montana– vibes, marimbas
  • Jack Faith – alto saxophone, flute
  • Rocco Bene, Bobby Hartzell – trumpet
  • Joe DeAnglis, Robert Martin – French horn
  • Freddie Joiner, Bobby Moore, Richie Genevese, Eddie Keskarella – trombone
  • Don Renaldo – strings
  • Linda Creed, Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Yvette Benton – backing vocals
  • Thom Bell– arranger, conductor
  • Joe Tarsia– recording, re-mix engineer
  • Loring Eutemey – design
  • Merrill A. Roberts, Jr. – photography

Track listing:

  1. Just Can’t Get You Out of My Mind – Vinnie Barrett
  2. Just You and Me Baby – Yvette Davis
  3. Don’t Let the Green Grass Fool You – Jerry Akines, Johnny Bellman, Victor Drayton, Reginald Turner
  4. I Could Never (Repay Your Love) – Bruce Hawes
  5. I’ll Be Around – Thom Bell, Phil Hurtt
  6. One of a Kind (Love Affair) – Joseph B. Jefferson
  7. We Belong Together – Yvette Davis
  8. Ghetto Child – Linda Creed, Thom Bell
  9. How Could I Let You Get Away – Yvette Davis
  10. Could It Be I’m Falling in Love – Melvin and Mervin Steals

Robert Palmer: Double Fun

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In March 1978, “Island” label released “Double Fun” the fourth Robert Palmer album. It was recorded 1977-1978,  at “The Hit Factory”, “Media Sound Recordings” in New York and “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, and was produced by Robert Palmer and Tom Moulton.

Personnel:

  • Robert Palmer– vocals, guitar, percussion
  • Paul Barrere– guitar, backing vocals
  • Freddie Harris – guitar
  • Neil Hubbard– guitar
  • J. Tindall– guitar
  • James Mahoney – guitar
  • Donovan McKitty – guitar
  • Ron Kersey– keyboards
  • Steve Robbins – keyboards
  • James Allen Smith – keyboards
  • Louis John Davis – keyboards
  • Bill Payne– keyboards, backing vocals
  • Edward Putmon – keyboards
  • Jimmy Williams – bass
  • Pierre Brock – bass
  • Bob Babbitt– bass
  • Richie Hayward– drums
  • Chris Parker– drums
  • Keith Errol Benson – drums
  • Allan Schwartzberg– drums, percussion
  • Robert Greenidge– percussion
  • Lenny Castro– percussion
  • Michael Brecker– saxophone
  • Randy Brecker– trumpet
  • Harry Bluestone – concertmaster
  • Don Renaldo – concertmaster
  • Gene Davis – string arrangements
  • John Davis – string arrangements
  • Brenda Russell– backing vocals
  • Brian Russell – backing vocals
  • Phill Brown, Arthur Stoppe, Tom Moulton – engineer
  • Jose Rodriguez – mastering
  • Tina Bossidy – art direction
  • Hiro (51) – photography
  • Chris Blackwell – executive producer

Track listing:

All tracks by Robert Palmer except where noted.

  1. Every Kinda People- Andy Fraser
  2. Best of Both Worlds
  3. Come Over
  4. Where Can It Go?
  5. Night People – Allen Toussaint
  6. Love Can Run Faster
  7. You Overwhelm Me
  8. You Really Got Me – Ray Davies
  9. You’re Gonna Get What’s Coming

Spinners: Mighty Love

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In March 1974, “Atlantic” label released “Mighty Love”, the fourth Spinners studio album. It was recorded 1973-1974, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Thom Bell.

Personnel:

  • Billy Henderson, Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynne, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson– vocals
  • Linda Creed, Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Evette Benton – backing vocals
  • MFSB– instrumentation

Track listing:

All tracks by Charles Simmons, Joseph B. Jefferson, and Bruce Hawes, except where noted.

  1. Since I Been Gone
  2. Ain’t No Price on Happiness
  3. I’m Glad You Walked into My Life
  4. I’m Coming Home- Thom Bell, Linda Creed
  5. He’ll Never Love You Like I Do
  6. Love Has Gone Away
  7. Love Don’t Love Nobody – Charles Simmons, Joseph B. Jefferson
  8. Mighty Love

The O’Jays: Ship Ahoy

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ship_ahoy

On November 10, 1973, “Philadelphia International Records” label released “Ship Ahoy”, the eighth O’Jays studio album. It was recorded in 1973, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, and was produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.  In 1992, the album was certified Platinum in the US by “RIAA”.

Personnel

  • Eddie Levert– vocals
  • William Powell– vocals
  • Walter Williams– vocals
  • MFSB– orchestra
  • Leon Huff– keyboards
  • Anthony Jackson– bass
  • Rocco Bene- trumpet solos
  • Lenny Pakula, Norman Harris, Bobby Martin, Lenny Pakula – arranger
  • Joe Tarsia –engineer
  • Joseph M. Palmaccio, Darcy Proper – mastering
  • James Barkley –illustration
  • Don Hunstein– photography
  • Ed Lee –art direction

Track listing:

All tracks by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, except where noted.

  1. Put Your Hands Together
  2. Ship Ahoy
  3. This Air I Breathe – Kenneth Gamble,Bunny Sigler
  4. You Got Your Hooks in Me – Bunny Sigler
  5. For the Love of Money – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, Anthony Jackson
  6. Now That We Found Love
  7. Don’t Call Me Brother – Kenneth Gamble, Bunny Sigler
  8. People Keep Tellin’ Me – John Whitehead,Gene McFadden, Victor Carstarphen

The Stylistics: Same

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the-stylistics

On November 6, 1971, “Avco” label released the self titled, debut  Stylistics (The) album. It was recorded 1970-1971, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, an d was produced by Thom Bell.

Personnel:

  • Russell Thompkins, Jr.– lead vocals
  • Airrion Love, James Smith, Herb Murrell, James Dunn – backing vocals
  • Linda Creed, Barbara Ingram– additional backing vocals
  • Norman Harris, Roland Chambers – guitar
  • Lenny Pakula – piano, organ
  • Ronnie Baker– bass
  • Earl Young– drums
  • Larry Washington – congas
  • Vince Montana– percussion
  • Jack Faith – alto saxophone, flute
  • Rocco Bene, Bobby Hartzell – trumpet
  • Fredric Cohen – oboe
  • Joe DeAngelis, Stephanie Fauber, Robert Martin – French horn
  • George Shaw – flute
  • Vincent Forchetti, Bob Moore, Richard Genevese – trombone
  • Don Renaldo, Tony Sinagoga, Albert Berone, Rudy Malizia, Angelo Pretrella, Romeo Di Stefano, Charles Apollonia, Davis Barnett, Richard Jones, Herschel Wise – strings
  • Mary Gale – harp

Track listing:

All tracks by Thom Bell and Linda Creed, except where noted.

  1. Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)
  2. Point of No Return
  3. Betcha by Golly, Wow
  4. Country Living
  5. You’re a Big Girl Now – Marty Bryant, Robert Douglas
  6. You Are Everything
  7. People Make the World Go Round
  8. Ebony Eyes
  9. If I Love You