Philadelphia International Records

Philadelphia International Records is a record label founded by writer-producers, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff in 1971. It was famous for showcasing the sub-genre of Philadelphia soul music and released a string of worldwide hits during the decade.

Contents

History

The label was set up in connection with the music publishing company run by Gamble, Huff and another Philadelphia producer, Thom Bell (Mighty Three/ Assorted Music). Main artists signed to the label included The O'Jays, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (including lead singer Teddy Pendergrass, who later signed a solo deal), Lou Rawls, The Three Degrees, and Billy Paul.

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; "Backstabbers" 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.[1]

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, Norman Harris, Ronnie Baker, Earl Young, Bobby Eli and Vince Montana.

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 Columbia/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 re-named Gamble Records and in 1972, was folded into Philadelphia International as a subsidiary. In 1974, the subsidiary's name was changed to TSOP Records. The name comes from the 1974 hit single, "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)", by MFSB and The Three Degrees. Artists for Excel/Gamble/TSOP included The Intruders, Dee Dee Sharp, and Archie Bell & the Drells. Later signings to the Philly Int. roster, in the 80s and 90s, included Patti Labelle, The Stylistics, Phyllis Hyman, and The Dells.

Between 1973 and '75, Gamble and Huff also had a boutique label called Golden Fleece, which released the second album by The Trammps. They also had a short-lived subsidiary called Thunder Records. Created by famed producer 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 was 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.[2]

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 November, 2009, PBS aired the two-part special, "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia," which celebrates the legacy of Gamble & Leon Huff and the family 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 The O'Jays, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, The Delfonics, The Intruders, Jerry Butler, Bunny Sigler, Three Degrees, The Soul Survivors, Jean Carne, G.C. Cameron, The Sound Of Philadelphia Orchestra, and announcer Jerry Blavat.

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, and was so extremely intoxicated by alcoholic beverages (in excess of four times the legal limit for driving a vehicle, or 0.32% BAC), that he had no recollection of the crime afterward.[3]

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.

Discography

References

  1. ^ CNN
  2. ^ http://www.discogs.com/label/Thunder+%282%29
  3. ^ Philly.com (Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News website) article on conviction of arsonist Retrieved 2011-06-09

External links