TSOP (The sound of Philadelphia)
(From Left to Right) Linda Creed,Gamble & Huff, Thom Bell McFadden & Whitehead MFSB)
The Sound of Philadelphia or Philly Soul as it also know was born from the need of producers and song writers in the City of Brotherly Love to distinguish themselves from other music and sounds and make a name for themselves and Philadelphia. Some of the more prominent artists in R&B during that time (early till late 70s) made the pilgrimage to Sigma Studios in Philly to record songs with the distinctive Philly sound. From "T.S.O.P" (which Don Cornelius commandeered to make the title sequence for his Soul Train TV for a number of years) to the Gamble & Huff penned "For the Love of Money" by the O'jays there are some songs that transcend any era or genre.
"TSOP" 1974 by MFSB feat The Three Degrees
"For the Love of Money" 1973 by the Ojays
Any Talk of R&B at that time that was the embodiment of the The Sound of Philadelphia has to include Teddy Pendergrass. As a member of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes Teddy's booming voice was one that you remembered. Once Teddy went solo he became even bigger. It didn't hurt also that the females loved him.With songs like "I Don't Love You Anymore","Come Go with Me" and "Love T.K.O." Teddy was a one man wrecking crew.Even after the horrific 1982 car accident Teddy continued to inspire and make great music.
"Come and Go with Me" 1979 by Teddy Pendergrass
"Get up Get Funky Get Loose" 1971 By Teddy Pendergrass
The Philly soul had a distinctive sound completely independent from the music being done anywhere else. In addition to the established acts that were coming in to work with the producers and song writers in Philadelphia, there was alot of home grown talent in Philadelphia at the time. They included:
The Delfonics
The Stylistics
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
Billy Paul
The Three Degrees
MFSB
"You Are Everything" 1971 The Stylistics (written by Thom Bell & Linda Creed)
"Rubberband Man" 1976 The Spinners (written by Thom Bell & Linda Creed)
Like all cycles in music the Philly Soul sound did begin to wane but not before a song writing duo who had written hit songs like "Wake Up Everybody" "Bad Luck" and "The more I get the more I want" for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes decided to go into the studio and create a classic for themselves. Mcfadden & Whitehead's "Aint No Stopping Us Now" was one of the last great songs from that era.In the 80s R&B changed again and although some of the songs were similar to the Philly Sound most of the music was made elsewhere. The Philly Soul continues to live on in the classics that you can hear on the radio at any given time.
"Aint No Stopping Us Now" 1979 Mcfadden & Whitehead
