The 7" single debut of two tracks from these Oakland underground legends! The Action Packed Gangsters deliver a nice lean groove for "Takin It To The Streets" – a mix of skittish beats and spare bassline that really serves things well lyrically, and which almost has an early Philly hip hop vibe! "Daily Routine" has that classic "Think" groove kicked up more, which does plenty for the lyrical power of the tune too! Both cuts great – and well-deserving of this treatment. 7-inch, Vinyl record
One of the first big Philly moments for Archie Bell & The Drells! "Showdown" is an undisputed classic – with an incredible hook, and a strident soul groove that replaces the band's earlier Texas funk style. Gamble & Huff wrote and produced, and the cut's got some tight arrangements by Bobby Martin. The flip's tasty too! 7-inch, Vinyl record
Two wonderful cuts from David Bowie's Philly soul period! "Fame" is his classic collaboration with John Lennon – a tune with very wry lyrics, and a wonderfully funky groove too – one you'll recognize right away! "Right" is one that we love even more – a subtle bit of genius from that time when Bowie was recording at Sigma Sound with Luther Vandross – full of soul, and a surprisingly new deep side of his sound! 7-inch, Vinyl record
2 hard to find sides by this great Philly harmony group! 'It's Forever" is really one of the group's best – a slow building tune with a sad little approach – building harmonies over the theme of "forever", climbing over the top into a heavenly soul sound! "Sexy Ways" is uptempo with a rolling Gamble/Huff style – rougher and funkier than usual, in kind of a late 60s Phillygroove! 7-inch, Vinyl record
Two nice hard-to-find sides by this great Philly soul group. "You're the Reason Why" is a great mixed male/female group cut, with a sweet soul tempo and a male vocal lead. "Sexy Ways" is uptempo with a rolling Gamble/Huff style – rougher and funkier than usual, in kind of a late 60s Phillygroove! 7-inch, Vinyl record
Obscure mid period material from Garland! "Just Loving You" is a really wonderful number – midtempo, in kind of a Spinners Phillygroove, which is a perfect match for Garland's slightly breaking vocals, crackling with that warm honesty that really makes the track sparkle! The flip's nice, too, and features a very tasty spokey bluesy kind of vocal, of the sort that Garland still does in a live show. And if you've heard that voice, you know it's a killer! 7-inch, Vinyl record
Fantastic stuff from this great Philly group! "Cowboys To Girls" is probably the group's biggest track from the old days – with a loping hook that's as sweet as it is catchy! "Turn The Hands Of Time" is wonderful too – with a strident driving groove, punctuated with vibes, and featuring some incredible harmonies that really send the message of the cut! Bobby Martin arranged both cuts – and did a fantastic job! 7-inch, Vinyl record
Beautiful uptempo Philly stuff from Luther Vandross, back when he managed to make stuff with a disco groove, but that also had the feel of a great soul record. 7-inch, Vinyl record
(Promo in an Atlantic/Atco Group sleeve, with bent corners and a small tear in the die-cut. Label on stereo side has an X in pen.)
The mellower side of Mystique – one of Chicago's more uptempo funk ensembles from the 70s! "Somebody Somebody" is a catchy little love tune – penned and arranged by Richard Rome, and produced by Bunny Sigler with a mellow sort of Philly feel. "It Took A Woman" is even better – more in a mellow Chicago soul mode, with a very laidback and slow-moving groove – and some great harmonies on the vocals of the tune! 7-inch, Vinyl record
Funky funky Philly! Not only is this single one of the most obscure on Philadelphia International, it's also one of the hardest – as Johnny sounds more like a Memphis or Macon soul singer than anyone who ever recorded in the city of Brotherly Love. "Slow Motion" begins with pounding tribal drums, and Johnny shouting out in kind of an Otis Redding mode – before organ and horns come in and make the whole groove nice and funky. Really nice stuff – and we wish we knew more about him! 7-inch, Vinyl record
Two nice ones from the Ebonys' rare years at Philly International. "Nation Time" is an O'Jays-esque political soul groover – of the "stand up and be counted" vein. "I Believe" is a reworking of the old Frankie Laine pop hit, transformed here into a surprisingly successful soul number. 7-inch, Vinyl record
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