Where to start with Philadelphia Soul
Philadelphia Soul is a music scene from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 1967–1980. Its principal artists include Gamble & Huff, The O'Jays, MFSB and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. This issue covers 10 essential albums and 12 dated events.
Start here
- 1
Back Stabbers
The O'Jays · 1972Philadelphia International's breakthrough set the template for socially conscious, lushly arranged Philly soul with a number-one title track.
- 2
MFSB
MFSB · 1973Original release: Philadelphia International Records · KZ 32046 · 12″ Vinyl · US 1973TSOP became Soul Train's theme and hit number one, a near-unheard-of feat that shows the house band's central role.
- 3
Teddy Pendergrass
Teddy Pendergrass · 1977Original release: Philadelphia International Records · PZ 34390 · 12″ Vinyl · US 1977Introduces Philadelphia International's biggest solo star and the raw, sensual vocal style that defined the label's sound.
Go deeper
- 4
Ship Ahoy
The O'Jays · 1973Original release: Philadelphia International Records · KZ 32408 · 12″ Vinyl · US 1973Platinum-selling follow-up to Back Stabbers, featuring "For the Love of Money" and the politically charged ten-minute title track about the slave trade — pushing further than almost any soul record…
- 5
Black & Blue
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes · 1973Original release: Philadelphia International Records · KZ 32407 · 12″ Vinyl · US 1973Features "The Love I Lost" and captures Teddy Pendergrass's raw, emotionally exposed vocals within the group format, with Bobby Martin's string arrangement supplying sophisticated framing without ever softening the emotional blow.
- 6
Family Reunion
The O'Jays · 1975Original release: Philadelphia International Records · PZ 33807 · 12″ Vinyl · US 1975A platinum-selling album that reached number seven behind its title track hit, marking Philadelphia International's sustained commercial peak four years into the O'Jays partnership and showing the label's creative formula refined close to perfection.
- 7
Wake Up Everybody
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes · 1975Teddy Pendergrass's final album with Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, headlined by a socially conscious title track that distilled the label's message-driven approach: a call to action on poverty…
- 8
Love Is the Message
MFSB · 1973Original release: Philadelphia International Records · PIR 80154 · 12″ Vinyl · UK 1973An instrumental showcase for the house band, headlined by a title track that became a foundational text for disco and house music — its extended groove and orchestral build supplying…
For the obsessed
- 9
360 Degrees of Billy Paul
Billy Paul · 1972Original release: Philadelphia International Records · KZ 31793 · 12″ Vinyl · US 1972Contains the Grammy-winning "Me and Mrs. Jones" and showcases the jazz-inflected vocal sophistication Philadelphia International could draw on when it wanted, proof the label's range extended well past funk and dance music.
- 10
So Full of Love
The O'Jays · 1978Original release: Philadelphia International Records · JZ 35355 · 12″ Vinyl · US 1978A platinum album that reached number six, proving Philadelphia International could still deliver hits as disco hit its commercial peak — folding in extended grooves and four-on-the-floor rhythms while holding…
The stories behind every record are in Philadelphia Soul, a members' issue.