Love Is the Message (MFSB album)

Last updated
Love Is the Message
MFSBLoveisthemessage.jpg
Studio album by
Released1973
Recorded1973
Studio Sigma Sound, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genre
Length35:06
Label PIR
Producer Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, Vince Montana, Bruce Hawes, Jack Faith
MFSB chronology
MFSB
(1973)
Love Is the Message
(1973)
Universal Love
(1975)
Singles from Natural High
  1. "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)"
    Released: February 6, 1974
  2. "Love Is the Message"
    Released: June 7, 1974
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [1]

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 .

Contents

Late 1970s resurgence

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.

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
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
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
5."TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" (Theme from the television show Soul Train )Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff3:43
6."Zack's Fanfare (I Hear Music)"Burton Lane, Frank Loesser0:50
7."Touch Me in the Morning" Michael Masser, Ron Miller 6:21
8."Bitter Sweet"Bruce Hawes, Jack Faith5:26

Personnel

MFSB

Charts

Chart (1974)Peak
position
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

Year-end charts

Chart (1974)Position
Canada [5] 52

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positions
US
[4]
US
R&B

[4]
US
A/C

[4]
1974"TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)"111
"Love Is the Message"8542

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [6] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

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References

  1. Birchmeier, Jason. Love Is the Message review at AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-10-20.
  2. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 183. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  3. "RPM Top 100 Albums - April 27, 1974" (PDF).
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "US Charts > MFSB". Billboard . Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  5. "RPM Top 100 Albums of '74 - December 28, 1974" (PDF).
  6. "American album certifications – MFSB – Love Is the Message". Recording Industry Association of America.

Further reading