Love Is the Message | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1973 | |||
Recorded | 1973 | |||
Studio | Sigma Sound, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 35:06 | |||
Label | PIR | |||
Producer | Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, Vince Montana, Bruce Hawes, Jack Faith | |||
MFSB chronology | ||||
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Singles from Natural High | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Love Is the Message is the second album by Philadelphia International Records houseband MFSB. The album includes the number one pop, R&B, and adult contemporary hit and winner of the 1974 Grammy for Best R&B Instrumental Performance, "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)". The song was the theme song for the television show Soul Train .
In the transition period between disco and the up-and-coming hip hop movement, the title track became a staple at house and block party events in the summers of 1978 and 1979.[ citation needed ] That track later became the basis for the last Salsoul Orchestra single "Ohh, I Love It (Love Break)", released in 1983.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Zack's Fanfare" | Burton Lane, Frank Loesser | 0:23 |
2. | "Love Is the Message" | Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff | 6:35 |
3. | "Cheaper to Keep Her" | Mack Rice | 6:52 |
4. | "My One and Only Love" | Guy Wood, Robert Mellin | 4:34 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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5. | "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" (Theme from the television show Soul Train ) | Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff | 3:43 |
6. | "Zack's Fanfare (I Hear Music)" | Burton Lane, Frank Loesser | 0:50 |
7. | "Touch Me in the Morning" | Michael Masser, Ron Miller | 6:21 |
8. | "Bitter Sweet" | Bruce Hawes, Jack Faith | 5:26 |
Chart (1974) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report) [2] | 55 |
Canada (RPM) [3] | 6 |
U.S. Billboard Top LPs [4] | 4 |
U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs [4] | 1 |
U.S. Billboard Top Jazz LPs [4] | 4 |
Chart (1974) | Position |
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Canada [5] | 52 |
Year | Single | Peak chart positions | ||
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US [4] | US R&B [4] | US A/C [4] | ||
1974 | "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" | 1 | 1 | 1 |
"Love Is the Message" | 85 | 42 | — | |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA) [6] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
The Trammps are an American disco and soul band, who were based in Philadelphia and were one of the first disco bands.
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"TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" is a 1974 recording by MFSB featuring vocals by The Three Degrees. It was written by Gamble and Huff as the theme for the American musical television program Soul Train, which specialized in African American musical performers. The single was released on the Philadelphia International Records label. It was the first television theme song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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