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The Three Degrees is an American female vocal group formed circa 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although 16 women have been members over the years, the group has always been a trio. The current line-up consists of Valerie Holiday, Helen Scott, and Freddi Poole. Tabitha King is currently filling in for Helen Scott, who had to take a break due to COVID-19. The group were particularly successful in the UK, achieving 13 Top 50 hit singles between 1974 and 1985.
MFSB, officially standing for "Mother Father Sister Brother", was a pool of more than 30 studio musicians based at Philadelphia's Sigma Sound Studios. They worked closely with the production team of Gamble and Huff and producer/arranger Thom Bell, and backed up Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, the O'Jays, the Stylistics, the Spinners, Wilson Pickett, and Billy Paul.
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Kenneth Gamble and Leon A. Huff are an American songwriting and production team credited for developing the Philadelphia soul music genre of the 1970s. In addition to forming their own label, Philadelphia International Records, Gamble and Huff have written and produced 175 gold and platinum records, earning them an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the non-performer category in March 2008.
Philadelphia International Records (PIR) was an American record label based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1971 by songwriting and production duo Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff along with their longtime collaborator Thom Bell. It was known for showcasing the Philadelphia soul music genre that was founded on the gospel, doo-wop and soul music of the time. This sound later marked a prominent and distinct era within the R&B genre. During the 1970s, the label released a string of worldwide hits that emphasized lavish orchestral instrumentation, heavy bass and driving percussion.
Paul Williams, known professionally as Billy Paul, was a Grammy Award-winning American soul singer, known for his 1972 No. 1 single "Me and Mrs. Jones", as well as the 1973 album and single War of the Gods, which blends his more conventional pop, soul, and funk styles with electronic and psychedelic influences.
Vincent Montana Jr., known as Vince Montana, was an American composer, arranger, vibraphonist, and percussionist. He is best known as a member of MFSB and as the founder of the Salsoul Orchestra. He has been called "the Godfather of disco". Montana was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2016.
Edward Willis Levert is an American singer, best known as the lead vocalist of The O'Jays. He is the father of Gerald Levert (1966–2006) and Sean Levert (1968–2008).
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The Assembled Multitude was an instrumental ensemble, consisting entirely of studio musicians, which music producer Tom Sellers organized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1970. The "Multitude" released a self-titled album on the Atlantic Records label in 1970, which included interpreted versions of songs such as "Woodstock", "Ohio", "MacArthur Park", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", and The Who's "Overture" from Tommy. The last of these was released as a single and reached No. 16 on the US Billboard Pop Singles chart.
The Spirit's in It is the fifth studio album by American singer Patti LaBelle. It was released by Philadelphia International Records on August 28, 1981, in the United States, her first with the label.
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Going East is an album by soul singer Billy Paul. The album was arranged by Bobby Martin, Lenny Pakula and Thom Bell.
War of the Gods is an album by soul singer Billy Paul. The album was produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and arranged by Bobby Martin and Lenny Pakula. Released in 1973, the album reached number 12 on the Billboard soul chart and number 110 on the pop chart. The single "Thanks for Saving My Life" was a top 40 hit, reaching number 37 on the pop chart and was a top-10 soul record reaching number 9. In 2012, Big Break Records remastered and reissued the album on CD with bonus tracks and new liner notes.
Cary Gilbert was an American lyricist who wrote songs with Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff at Philadelphia International Records in the 1970s. Among the songs he co-wrote are the international #1 hits "Me and Mrs. Jones" and "Don't Leave Me This Way."
Ebony Woman is an album by soul singer Billy Paul. The album was produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, arranged by Stanley Johnson and Bobby Martin, and engineered by Joe Tarsia. On its original Neptune Records release in 1970 the LP reached number 12 on the Billboard soul charts and number 183 on the pop charts. The Bobby Martin penned "Let's Fall in Love All Over" was released as a single but failed to chart. The album was re-released with new cover art in 1973 on Philadelphia International Records reaching number 186 on the pop chart and number 43 on the soul charts. Big Break Records remastered the album for its 2012 re-release on CD.
David Chackler is an American music and film executive. He is best known for his launching the careers of several artists, including Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, Queen and 2 Live Crew, one of rap/hip-hop music’s ground-breakers, and more recently, his work with Grammy-winning rock legend Jim Peterik.
Bobby Martin was an American music producer, arranger and songwriter, closely associated with Philadelphia International Records and Philly soul. He is best known for his arrangement of Billy Paul's "Me and Mrs. Jones", his work on the Soul Train theme, and with artists including Whitney Houston, L.T.D., MFSB, Patti LaBelle, Lou Rawls, Lesley Gore, The Manhattans, The O'Jays, The Jacksons, Dusty Springfield and the Bee Gees, among others.
The Sweethearts of Sigma, sometimes known simply as The Sweethearts or The Sweeties, were an American female vocal trio comprising Carla Benson, Evette Benton and Barbara Ingram. Primarily backing vocalists, they sung backup on many recordings made in Philadelphia, especially in the 1970s.
References
- ↑ Grimes, William (April 25, 2016). "Billy Paul, Singer of the Hit 'Me and Mrs. Jones,' Dies at 81". The New York Times . Retrieved December 18, 2019.
- ↑ Collis, John (1998). The Story of Chess Records. Bloomsury Publishing USA p. 186. ISBN 978-1-5823-4005-0.
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