Philadelphia International Records
How Thom Bell Created a Sound for a City, a Record Label, and for Generations of Fans
50 years ago, the sound of Philly Soul was born out of the legendary Philadelphia International Records. With the talents of The O’Jays, Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, The Three Degrees, McFadden & Whitehead, and others, the label rewrote the standards of soul music. In light of Bell’s passing on December 22nd, 2022, his 2021 interview with Marcus Shorter. For some households, a Sunday morning consists of certain sounds. The sizzle from a couple strips of bacon cooked just right. That crack an egg makes before it gets scrambled or goes over sunny-side. And, of course, a tune by The Stylistics echoing in every room. Or The Delfonics. Or The Spinners. What defined these songs, besides the incredible performances, was the production courtesy of singer, songwriter, arranger, and record ...
20 Best Philly Sound Songs of All Time
50 years ago, the sound of Philly Soul was born out of the legendary Philadelphia International Records. With the talents of The O’Jays, Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, The Three Degrees, McFadden & Whitehead, and others, the label rewrote the standards of soul music. To celebrate all P.I.R. contributed to the world of music, we’re publishing a number of soul features this month, and giving away The Story of Philadelphia International Records prize pack, which includes vinyl, a turntable, and speakers. How do you pick 20 songs that define an era — that represent a sound that means so much to so many people? It’s not easy, but the first thing that comes to mind is “emotion.” The Philadelphia Sound, made famous by Thom Bell, Kenny Gamble, and Leon Huff, endures decades after ...
Win The Story of Philadelphia International Records Vinyl Anthology and Sony Stereo System
The entire history of Philadelphia International Records can’t be captured in a box. That’s why this whole month, Consequence will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic label with a number of soul features. But we’re kicking things off with, well, a box. That’s the Vinyl Me, Please The Story of Philadelphia International Records vinyl anthology box set, to be precise. This exclusive collection features eight classic Philly soul albums AAA-mastered by Bernie Grundman and pressed onto uniquely colored vinyl. Included in the box are The O’Jays’ Back Stabbers, Billy Paul’s 360 Degrees of Billy Paul, MFSB’s Love Is the Message, The Three Degrees’ 1973 self-titled record, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ Wake Up Everybody, Dexter Wansel’s Life on Mars...
How Philadelphia International Records Gave Rise to Black Music Appreciation Month and Established an Iconic Sound
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-06-03T20:15:07+00:00“>June 3, 2021 | 4:15pm ET Philadelphia International Records. The music that came pouring out of Sigma Sound Studios in Philly was the ornately urbane sound of Black America in the 1970s. One decade earlier, Motown had become a mainstay by branding itself “The Sound of Young America,” and Stax Records dubbed itself “Soulsville” as a way to cement its name as the home base for grit and realness of the Black experience. But Philly, while born of both musical forebears, was a different experience; this was Black America in full regalia and awareness of itself. It spoke to a newfound consciousness and to the musical aspirations of two men bred in that consciousness....
The Pioneering Women of Philly Soul
Fifty years ago, the sound of Philly Soul was born out of the legendary Philadelphia International Records. With the talents of The O’Jays, Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, The Three Degrees, McFadden & Whitehead, and others, the label rewrote the standards of soul music by blending in R&B, funk, and doo-wop with massive orchestral arrangements. To celebrate all P.I.R. contributed to the world of music, we’re giving away a Best of Philadelphia International Records prize pack, which includes vinyl, turntables, and headphones. Click here for more information on these prizes and how to enter this exclusive giveaway. The face of soul music as we know it might have been completely different if not for the ambition and drive of a Columbia imprint, once housed in the vacant offices of C...
