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The setting is the Golden Gate, but the sound is pure Philly International – a rare early live performance from the label, featuring some of its key vocal heavyweights working here with live accompaniment from MFSB! Although the instrumental group backed Philly artists often in the studio, this 1973 concert marks the only time they worked live with the singers – in a stunning showcase for the young label, performed as part of a Columbia Records convention in San Francisco! Given the setting, and the uniqueness of the whole event, the CD release of this rare material is a treasure for soul fans of many generations – a rare addition to the amazing run of music the label first started giving us at the time. The set begins with MFSB doing a version of "Freddie's Dead" – then runs into Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes singing "I Miss You", "The Love I Lost", and "If You Don't Know Me By Now" – followed by Three Degrees on "I Didn't Know" and "Dirty Ol Man". MFSB then follow with "TSOP", then Billy Paul sings "East" and "Me & Mrs Jones", and the set ends with The O'Jays on "Love Train", "Sunshine", "Back Stabbers", and "When The World's At Peace".

A killer package – two full albums, plus bonus tracks too! First up is Maybe – amazing early work from the Three Degrees – tracks cut before their more famous disco years in the 70s – but already showing a whole new approach to girl group soul! At some level, the trio take off strongly from the best late 60s styles of The Supremes – taking the most righteous elements, and working them into a hip new take on female soul – often using slight undercurrents of funk, in ways that are a bit like Honeycone, but even groovier! Arrangements are by Sammy Lowe and Steve Swanson – who bring in a nice east coast bite – and titles include "Sugar On Sunday", "Rosegarden", "You're The One", "The Magic Door", "Collage", "Maybe", and "You're The Fool". Next is So Much Love – a great illustration of the way the female trio could really take off – even without the disco grooves that would later bring them fame! There's a bouncy sound to most numbers here – a bit of Northern Soul here, some 60s mod there – and the girls' vocals are even more amazing than we remember them in later years – really at the top of the girl group pack for the time. Arrangements are by Hutch Davie, Tony Camillo, and Bert DeCoteaux – and titles include "Maybe", "Trade Winds", "I Do Take You", "Who Is She (And What Is She To You)", and "Magic Mirror". 2CD set features a whopping 23 bonus tracks – including "Handle With Care", "Shades Of Green", "Requiem", "Isn't It A Pity", "Yours (long single version)", "There's So Much Love All Around Me (mono)", "Through Misty Eyes (mono)", and mono takes of many album tracks!

A sweet late 70s set from The Three Degrees – who've moved on over to CBS/Epic after their hot streak at Philly International – with a bit more of an expansive sound than usual! They're still working in a core Philly mode with recording at Sigma Sound and arrangements by Richard Rome – but also with tunes that hit a growing range of more sophisticated, adult-oriented themes. The trio are clearly out to show that they're not just a dancefloor act here – as the album features some sensitive ballads – and those are done beautifully! The Three Degrees are Sheila Ferguson, Valerie Holiday and the returning Helen Scott on this relatively overlooked, though solid record – which includes the slightly funky "Macaroni Man", plus "People With Feeling", "What I Did For Love", "We're All Alone", "Gee Baby", "Standing Up For Love", and "In Love We Grow" and "Just Leave Me Alone". 3

Smooth female soul from one of Philly's hottest female trios – Gamble & Huff's big answer to First Choice, and an equally important force in 70s female soul! The album's got a nice mixture of Philly groove and smoother pop arrangements from the likes of Norman Harris, Bobby Martin, Lenny Pakula, and Richard Rome – and tracks include the hit "When Will I See You Again", plus "Dirty Ol' Man", "Can't You See What You're Doing To Me", "I Didn't Know", "I Like Being A Woman", and "Year Of Decision". This edition includes 3 bonus tracks: "TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)" by MFSB featuring The Three Degrees, "Love Is The Message" (single version) and "Dirty Ol' Man" (Tom Moulton mix).

Mid 70s magic from The Three Degrees – a time when this Philly trio was really at the height of their powers! The girl group had recorded previously, in a somewhat more standard style of Philly soul – but during the 70s they hooked up with Gamble & Huff, and managed to make some really amazing music that forever helped transform the style of female soul on the dancefloor! The trio's vocals are a perfect match for the soaring strings and lively rhythms of the Philly International groove – and the cuts are as sweet as they are grooving – a magical balance that few other groups could strike this well. CD features 14 tracks – including "When Will I See You Again", "Long Lost Lover", "Can't You See What You're Doing To Me", "Love Is The Message", "TSOP", "Dirty Ol Man", "Here I Am", "I Didn't Know", "If & When", "Year Of Decision", and "Everybody Gets To Go To The Moon (live version)".

Heist films always provided some of the best soundtracks of the 70's, and this one (starring Robert Shaw and Richard Roundtree, and issued in the US as Diamond Shaft) is no exception! Roy Budd rises to the groovy occasion and scores some excellent moments that match a light orchestral sound with a throbbing electric bass and percussion underground – in a style that's like Lalo Schifrin's best work from the time. The LP's overflowing with tracks, including a few bonus mixes, and there's even 2 vocal numbers that feature The Three Degrees. Titles include "The Thief", "Beauty & The Bass", "Diamonds", "Party Piece", "Thief On the Prowl", and more! Nice notes, and some nicely funky crime themes, too! Nice gatefold cover, too!

A near-lost Philly disco album – recorded at Sigma Sound, but released on Casablanca at the end of the 70s – one that was almost buried under the weight of the label's collapse at the time! There's a style here that borrows bits from some of Casablanca's more mainstream artists – focusing strongly on the hooks of the tunes, and putting the female vocals upfront – but still swirling around in some mighty club arrangements from the Sigma team. Loose Change themselves are a trio in the Philly mode of First Choice or Three Degrees – and titles include "Rising Cost Of Love", "Straight From The Heart", "Darling, That's Me", "Babe", and "I Wanna Hold On To You". A total gem! This Big Break UK remastered edition has 3 bonus tracks: "You Never Done It Like That", "My Place Or Your Place" and "Straight From The Heart (Single Version)".

Sweet funky club soul from Stargard – a group who pick up on the guitar-based styles of Labelle, but who have the sweeter soul approach of Three Degrees or First Choice! The bass dominates the arrangements, and there's some surprisingly soulful numbers on the set – despite the silly costumes on the cover! Titles include "Sensuous Woman", "Disco People", "Blue Rain", "Chameleon Lady", and "Starbob".

Hard uptempo soul stuff from this classic independent label from Philadelphia – briefly home to the Beatles in the early 60's, but best known to collectors for their tight northern soul catalog which features many classic Philly artists in their early days. Cuts include "Driving Me Mad" by The Three Degrees, "In Paradise" by The Showmen, "Watch Your Step" by Sammy Sevens, "The Spy" by Guys From Uncle, "Empty World" by Modern Redcaps, "Put Yourself In My Place" by Azie Mortimer, "And In Return" by Sheila Ferguson, "It Will Be Done" by Eddie Carlton, and lots lots more. 25 cuts in all!

Massive mixes from the mighty Tom Moulton – a huge 4CD package that not only includes some classic lost and rare mixes from the 70s, but also a whopping 17 previously unreleased Moulton mixes, appearing here for the first time ever! If there's anyone who's ever been well-suited to reworking a Philly groove, it's Tom – given his long standing association with the soul scene in the City Of Brotherly Love – and his crucial role in pushing soul tracks into the clubs during the 70s. As with most of Tom's best work, the mixes here are richly faithful to the originals – and never try to overstate themselves at all, just focus on the best elements, and bring them to the forefront of the groove! 4CDs, 31 tracks, and Moulton remixes of "Back Stabbers" by The O'Jays, "Dirty Ol Man" by Three Degrees, "Trusting Heart" by The Trammps, "Do It Any Way You Wanna" by People's Choice, "Nights Over Egypt" by The Jones Girls, "I Don't Love You Anymore" by Teddy Pendergrass, "Year Of Decision" by Three Degrees, "Slow Motion" by Johnny Williams, "The Love I Lost" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, "She's A Winner" by The Intruders, "Trammps Disco Theme/Zing Went The Strings" by The Trammps, "Let's Groove" by Archie Bell & The Drells, "The Devil Made Me Do It" by Robert Upchurch, "Love Is The Message" by MFSB, "Party Time Man" by The Futures, and "See You When I Get There" by Lou Rawls.

Massive mixes from the mighty Tom Moulton – a huge package that not only includes some classic lost and rare mixes from the 70s, but also previously unreleased Moulton mixes, appearing here for the first time ever! If there's anyone who's ever been well-suited to reworking a Philly groove, it's Tom – given his long standing association with the soul scene in the City Of Brotherly Love – and his crucial role in pushing soul tracks into the clubs during the 70s. As with most of Tom's best work, the mixes here are richly faithful to the originals – and never try to overstate themselves at all, just focus on the best elements, and bring them to the forefront of the groove! This totally cool package features 31 mixes in all – pressed up as eight 12" EPs – most with four tracks each, leaving plenty of room for very long mixes! Titles include Moulton mixes of "Jam Jam Jam" by People's Choice, "I Don't Love You Anymore" by Teddy Pendergrass, "Party Time Man" by The Futures, "Intro/My Love Don't Come Easy" by Jean Carn, "Trusting Heart" by The Trammps, "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, "Let's Groove" by Archie Bell & The Drells, "Dirty Ol Man" by Three Degrees, "Slow Motion" by Johnny Williams, "I'll Always Love My Mama" by The Intruders, "The Devil Made Me Do It" by Robert Upchurch, "Back Stabbers" by The O'Jays, "See You When I Get There" by Lou Rawls, and "Love Epidemic" by The Trammps.

A sweet little set of classic 70s Philly – one of the best collections of work by the team of Gamble & Huff we've ever seen! There's nothing too obscure or offbeat here – and instead, the collection focuses mostly on the massive crossover tracks produced by the pair back in the day – the landmark soul that not only redefined the sound of Philly, but also the 70s as well! And while most of this material has been on the market often over the years, it's still pretty darn nice to see it all clustered together in one place. Most titles are the full-length album versions – and the CD features 14 tracks that include "Me & Mrs Jones" by Billy Paul, "When Will I See You Again" by Three Degrees, "TSOP" by MFSB, "Do It Any Way You Wanna" by People's Choice, "I'll Always Love My Mama" by The Intruders, "Use Ta Be My Girl" by The O'Jays, "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" by Lou Rawls, "The Love I Lost" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, "Back Stabbers" by The O'Jays, "Love Train" by The O'Jays, "Ain't No Stoppin Us Now" by McFadden & Whitehead, "Close The Door" by Teddy Pendergrass, and "If You Only Knew" by Patti LaBelle.

A key moment for the Philly soul scene of the 70s – and the first album to feature the MFSB backing group as a solo act on their own! The ensemble were responsible for key sounds on countless soul singles of the time – yet also find a way to soar beautifully on their own – in a sweet instrumental groove that matches the strength of Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra, and which was definitely a key inspiration for the sound of the Salsoul Orchestra! There's definitely a bit of early disco in the mix, but the style's more uptempo east coast overall – that pre-disco groove that was going down in the clubs – with larger strings added to a core group of funky rhythm players. Gamble & Huff production make the whole thing sparkle, and arrangements are by Vince Montana, Bobby Martin, and Jack Faith – on titles that include "Love Is The Message", "Cheaper To Keep Her", "TSOP", "Zack's Fanfare", "Touch Me In The Morning", and "My One & Only Love". CD features bonus tracks – "Love Is The Message (single version – with Three Degrees)", "TSOP (with Three Degrees)", and "Love Is The Message (Tom Moulton mix)".

11 tracks from one of George Clinton's loveliest groups! Parlet were clearly George's most disco-oriented group – featuring a trio of female voices in the lead (ala First Choice or Three Degrees), with backing by Parliament and the rest of the P-Funk crew. The tracks tend to be a bit longer and faster than your usual Parliament record, but there's still plenty of funk – and the overall feel of the work is very much in the P-Funk party ensemble mode. Titles include "No Rump To Bump", "Pleasure Principle", "Wolf Tickets", "Love Amnesia", "Play Me Or Trade Me", "Ridin High", and "Cookie Jar".

One of the leading lights of the Munich club scene – the mighty Silver Convention, who topped the charts with a number of disco classics in the mid 70s! Silver Convention took the Philly female style of disco – popularized by First Choice, Three Degrees, and others – and pumped it up with the Munich sound of throbbing bass and repetitive beats, one of the first steps towards house music in the 80s. This album's the group's first – and features the huge hit "Fly Robin Fly", plus "Save Me", "I Like It", "Chains Of Love", "Tiger Baby" and a few more.

A near-lost Philly disco album – recorded at Sigma Sound, but released on Casablanca at the end of the 70s, and nearly buried under the weight of the label's collapse at the time! There's a style here that borrows bits from some of Casablanca's more mainstream artists – focusing strongly on the hooks of the tunes, and putting the female vocals upfront – but still swirling around in some mighty club arrangements from the Sigma team. Loose Change themselves are a trio in the Philly mode of First Choice or Three Degrees – and titles include "Rising Cost Of Love", "Straight From The Heart", "Darling, That's Me", "Babe", and "I Wanna Hold On To You".