Soul Tracks

The year was 1973, The O'Jays latest release, Ships Ahoy, was a combination of social consciousness & love. Ships Ahoy contains a lesser-known O'Jays ballad, 'You Got Your Hooks In Me.' Written by songwriter Bunny Sigler, 'You Got Your Hooks In Me' ranks alongside popular O'Jay ballads such as 'Stairway To Heaven,' 'Brandy,' 'Forever Mine,' and 'Let Me Make Love To You.' Words cannot begin to describe this song. It immediately grabs and holds you captive for five minutes and thirty four seconds. Sit back and allow The O'Jays to sing to you. You won't be disappointed.

Soul Fixin'

LaBelle Album Set for October Release

Patti, Nona, and Sarah have reunited to record their first album in more than 30 years, inspired by the recording of a tribute song to Rosa Parks in 2006. Back To Now, the groups first album since 1976's Chamelon, is set for release October 21. Back To Now includes production by Lenny Kravitz and the legendary songwriting team of Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff. The album contains a mixture of energized uptempo songs and heart-wrenching ballads. Nona said the group was able to "pull together as sisters and 'Labelle-ize'the music and the vibe and the spiritual side of what we do like nobody else on the planet." A tour to support the new album is planned, LaBelle's live performance has been cited as the groups greatest dynamic. Patti LaBelle, one who is never short for words, summed it all up "I think all you gotta say is 'we're here.' We're like that caged bird. If you love it, you open the door and let it fly because you know it's going to come back stronger. Well, we're back, baby. Anyone that knows Labelle knows we don't know how to hold anything back."

Soul Tracks

In the early 70's super producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff established Philadelphia International Records. The O'Jays' Backstabbers was one of the first albums released on the Philly based label providing a launching pad for the label and Philly Soul. After more than a decade of regional hits and traveling the 'chitlin curcuit', The O'Jays were on their way to soul stardom. The infectious 'Time To Get Down' and the uplifting anthem 'Back Stabbers' were heard on radios all across the country. 'Who Am I,' written by oft-forgotten composer, producer, and musician Bunny Sigler, was one of the soul ballads featured on the album. Masters of soul balladry, Eddie LeVert took lead vocals while William Powell and Walter Williams played the background to present a soft mood of introspection. The smooth yet haunting opening sounds gives way to a heartfelt vocal performance full of conviction creating soul music's saddest break up song.

Soul Fixin'

New Music from Raphael Saadiq
Raphael Saadiq has done it again. The latest track from the soul man's forthcoming album, The Way I See It, to hit the net is 'Oh Girl.' Don't be fooled, this isn't a remake of the Chi-Lites classic or a hidden gem produced by Gamble & Huff that has been locked in the vaults of Philadelphia International Records for the past 35 years. 'Oh Girl,' a Saadiq original, is a throwback to Philly Soul sound of The Stylistics and Delfonics. Saadiq has done an amazing job or recycling and recreating the soul of the 60's and 70's. While the opening of 'Oh Girl' is reminiscent of an Isaac Hayes symphonic soul classic it slowly segues into a tender Philly Soul love ballad. Saadiq's retro soul set will arrive September 16th via Columbia Records.

Classic Album Revisited

Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes formed in 1950's Philadelphia.The group was a regional act that garnered minor soul hits. In the late 60's Teddy Pendergrass was hired as drummer, he eventually became lead singer and the group caught the attention of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (Theodore Pendergrass Jr., Bernie Wilson, Larry Brown, Llodyd Parks, & Harold Melvin) signed to Philadelphia International Records in 1971 scoring hit songs such as "I Miss You" and "If You Don't Know Me By Now." In the wake of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, Stevie's Songs In The Key of Life and Innervisions and Aretha's Young, Gifted and Black, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes released Wake Up Everybody in 1975. Unlike Marvin's What's Going On, Wake Up Everybody not only expressed the social ills of the world, it spoke of love, lust, lost love, admiration and freedom. Wake Up Everybody is the quintessential Philadelphia soul album. It combined all the elements of the Philly sound; lush buoyant strings and horns, smooth group harmonies, danceable rhythms and smoldering ballads.The title track, written by the legendary team of McFadden/Whitehead/Cartarsphen, is a 7 minute masterpiece, urging us all to wake up. A profoundly uplifting song, "Wake Up Everybody" held the # 1 spot on the R&B charts for two consecutive weeks. In a sign of things to come, Teddy Pendergrass epitomized sensuality on the track " You Know How To Make Me Feel So Good" featuring female vocalist Sharon Paige. Without a doubt "Keep On Lovin' You," a song that expresses man's admiration for his lady, was a blueprint for disco music. "Don't Leave Me This Way", a song that became a disco hit for Thelma Houston, was originally recorded by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. "Tell The World How I Feel About 'Cha Baby" became a # 7 R&B hit. The inspiring "To Be Free To Be Who We Are" and "I'm Searching For A Love" featuring Sharon Paige were also included on the album. Wake Up Everybody signaled the end of commercial success for the group, Teddy Pendergrass embarked on solo career and released a solo album in '76.

Soul Fixin'

LaBelle Reunion

Patti, Nona, and Sarah have reunited to record their first album in more than 30 years, inspired by the recording of a tribute song to Rosa Parks in 2006. The recordings should wrap up next month and the album is expected to be released in the fall of 2008. The untitled album is being produced by Lenny Kravitz and the legendary songwriting team of Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff. The album contains a mixture of energized uptempo songs and heart-wrenching ballads. Nona said the group was able to "pull together as sisters and 'Labelle-ize'the music and the vibe and the spiritual side of what we do like nobody else on the planet." A tour to support the new album is planned, LaBelle's live performance has been cited as the groups greatest dynamic. Patti LaBelle, one who is never short for words, summed it all up "I think all you gotta say is 'we're here.' We're like that caged bird. If you love it, you open the door and let it fly because you know it's going to come back stronger. Well, we're back, baby. Anyone that knows Labelle knows we don't know how to hold anything back."