The Philadelphia Signature Soul Sound during the 1980s Pt 5

                                                Featuring female solo artist

The gold album "My Melody

In the early 1980s Deniece Williams co-produced a brilliant and soulful solo album with the legendary Thom Bell (one of the key music architects of the Sound of Philadelphia ) entitled “My Melody”. The album finally received gold certification from the RIAA on 13^th October 2000, having been released on CBS Records in 1980. The album was a Top Twenty success and charted to number thirteen on the Billboard Hot Soul and R&B Albums Chart.

"Lonely Disco Dancer" performed by
 Dee Dee Bridgewater

During the same period Thom Bell was also producing the great Jazz diva Dee Dee Bridgewater with her self-titled solo album “Dee Dee Bridgewater” on Elektra Records (1980). The most  memorable track from the album is “Lonely Disco Dancer”, a dynamic mid-tempo dance recording with lush string arrangements conducted by the late Don Renaldo. It was a very popular track at both parties and discos in the UK during the early 1980s. The album was similar in style to Deniece William’s album “My Melody” .

"Easy Money" performed
Dee Dee Sharp Gamble

Another female artist who had success on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Number One Singles Chart was Dee Dee Sharp Gamble, with her last Philadelphia International Records album “Dee Dee” (1980) released both domestically in North America and internationally via CBS Records. The number one dance single was “Break and Entering/Easy Money” week-ending 28^th March 1981 (4 weeks). 

Both Dee Dee Bridgewater and Deniece Williams used the same studio musicians who worked with Thom Bell on many Philly classic hit recordings during the 1970s. 

                                   Researched and compiled by               
                                   Mr K Tomlin Music Historian                   
                                   ©RCM Music/Signaturesoundsonline2013-2015 

Gamble & Huff Signature Sound (Part 2)

                                       

                           Its Impact On Popular Culture Across The World

Gamble & Huff

The creative marriage of Philadelphia International Records and the Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress a division of  Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau is using the Philadelphia Sound hit instrumental “TSOP” “The Sound Of Philadelphia,” performed by MFSB the label’s studio band (which received a Grammy Award for “Best Instrumental”) as advertising campaign initiative and as a centre piece to attract visitors to its many places of cultural significant and for its many night life entertainment facilities across the city of Philadelphia and surrounding areas.

A music entertainment district location to brand the city of  Philadelphia as a destination for R&B disciples around the world on a pilgrimage tour of surrounding areas and the place where the legendary sound was created such as Sigma Sound Studios and Gamble-Huff Music studios, one of the R&B capitals of the world envision by Kenny Gamble.

In an interview conducted by the Philadelphia Business

Executive Vice President Chuck Gamble.

Journal, Chuck Gamble the nephew of Kenny Gamble co-creator Philadelphia Sound and co-owner of Philadelphia International Records, stated that “Our role is provide the music in our catalogue so the city can attract more people to Philadelphia,” said Chuck. “We want people to use all five senses and feel the beautiful aroma of the city. VOur music allows us to appeal to the emotions of people and to help bring people together.” “After all,” he added, “the Gap is using the O’ Jays to promote its products (in a recent advertising campaign). “Why shouldn’t Philadelphia?” .

On several occasions, Multicultural Affairs Congress has been organizing private and guided tours of the Gamble-Huff recording studio to key convention planners and travel trade potential customers to attract business travellers and leisure travellers to the city. According to 1999 statistic, Philadelphia was the third most visited American behind Los Angeles and New York. The spokesman for the Multicultural Affairs Congress, Joel Avery said, “The Multicultural tourism market, on a global basis, is a $90 billion industry.”


                           Researched and compiled by               
                                         Mr K Tomlin Music Historian                   
                                        ©RCM Music/Signaturesoundsonline2013-2014