A new feature documentary will tell the story of Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell, the architects of Philadelphia International and the Philly Soul sound, Deadline reports. With new interviews and unearthed footage, The Sound of Philadelphia will chronicle soul music in the late 1960s and the ’70s, with a focus on the legendary trio whose songwriting and production studio laid the foundations for disco and inspired pop, soul, and R&B for decades to come.
“After six decades, we are incredibly proud to finally share our life stories with the world and showcase all the hard work that has gone into creating this great music,” said Gamble, Huff and Bell in a statement quoted by Deadline. The trio went on to thank Imagine and Warner Music—who partnered with Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions on the doc—as well as executive producer Alex Gibney and director Sam Pollard. “Our longtime fans and new fans will get a unique look into the creation of the Sound of Philadelphia with the themes of empowerment and love, to ‘people all over the world’ as we’ve always had a ‘Message in our Music.’”
Gamble, Huff, and Bell, also known as the Mighty Three, churned out a stream of classic records in the proto-disco era, writing and producing tracks like Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes’ “I Love Music,” the O’Jays’ “Love Train,” and MFSB’s “Love Is the Message,” which became staples of New York discos like David Mancuso’s Loft. The documentary will also touch on the studio’s work with the Jacksons, Dusty Springfield, Patti LaBelle, Elton John, and The Supremes, Deadline reports. A release date has not yet been set.
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