The Philadelphia International Records 50th anniversary campaign kicks off this Friday, May 25, with the release of Get on Board the Soul Train: The Sound of Philadelphia International Records Vol. 1 from the U.K. Snapper Music label's United Souls imprint.  The 8-CD hardcover book-style box presents the first eight albums released on PIR, and the series will eventually encompass every one of PIR's LPs on CD.

On the domestic front, Legacy Recordings issues its first anniversary release this Friday with The Best of Philadelphia International Records, a 12-track overview of some of the finest moments from the label founded by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.  That vinyl-only title (available on standard black vinyl everywhere and on hot pink vinyl exclusively at Walmart) is prelude to six more LPs due in July, each spotlighting a different artist.

On July 13, Philadelphia International and Legacy will issue the following newly-curated compilations on vinyl:

• The Best of The Intruders (1 LP, 14 tracks);
• The Best of Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes (1 LP, 11 tracks);
• The Best of The O'Jays (2 LPs, 19 tracks);
• The Best of Billy Paul (1 LP, 12 tracks);
• The Best of Teddy Pendergrass (2 LPs, 18 tracks); and
• The Best of Lou Rawls (1 LP, 10 tracks).

While no mastering information has yet been released for the individual titles, The Best of Philadelphia International Records is confirmed to have been mastered by Vic Anesini, so it's very likely that Anesini has also mastered the individual compilations.  (It also features sleek artwork by John Sellards who recently designed Michael Nesmith's Different Drum: The Lost RCA Victor Recordings for Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music.)

While none of these LPs feature any rare material, the music is sure to sound better than ever in an Anesini remastering.  Most of these titles also represent the first domestic vinyl releases for these artists in a number of years.  Note that the Teddy Pendergrass volume also has some overlap with the Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes release as it contains four of the singer's hits while he was part of that group.

You'll find the track listing and discographical annotation for each LP below.  (Original albums have been noted except when a specific single edit is mentioned in the compilation's track listing.  It is possible that, due to the limitations of vinyl, other single versions have been utilized as well.)  The Best of Philadelphia International Records is due this Friday, May 28, while the artist collections are set for release on July 16.  As expected, no CD releases have been announced for these titles, though numerous compilations and albums from each artist remain available on CD.

Various Artists, The Best of Philadelphia International Records (PIR/Legacy, 2021) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Walmart)

Side One

1. Back Stabbers - The O'Jays
2. The Love I Lost (Part 1) - Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes
3. Me and Mrs. Jones - Billy Paul
4. When Will I See You Again - The Three Degrees
5. You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine - Lou Rawls
6. TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) - MFSB featuring The Three Degrees

Side Two

1. Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now - McFadden and Whitehead
2. If You Don't Know Me By Now - Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes
3. I'll Always Love My Mama (Part 1) - The Intruders
4. Love Train - The O'Jays
5. Close the Door - Teddy Pendergrass
6. If Only You Knew - Patti LaBelle

Side One, Track 1 & Side Two, Track 4 from Back Stabbers, PIR KZ 31712, 1972
Side One, Track 2 from PIR single ZS7 3533, 1973
Side One, Track 3 from 360 Degrees of Billy Paul, PIR KZ 31793, 1972
Side One, Track 4 from The Three Degrees, PIR KZ 32406, 1973
Side One, Track 5 from All Things in Time, PIR PZ 33957, 1976
Side One, Track 6 from Love Is the Message, PIR KZ 32707, 1973
Side Two, Track 1 from McFadden and Whitehead, PIR JZ 35800, 1979
Side Two, Track 2 from I Miss You, PIR KZ 31648, 1972
Side Two, Track 3 from Gamble single 2506, 1973
Side Two, Track 5 from Life Is a Song Worth Singing, PIR JZ 35095, 1978
Side Two, Track 6 from I'm in Love Again, PIR FZ 38539, 1983

The Intruders, The Best of The Intruders (PIR/Legacy, 2021) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side One

1. (We'll Be) United
2. Together
3. Cowboys to Girls
4. (Love Is Like A) Baseball Game
5. Slow Drag
6. Sad Girl
7. When We Get Married
8. (Win, Place or Show) She's a Winner

Side Two

1. I'll Always Love My Mama (Pt. 1)
2. I Wanna Know Your Name
3. A Nice Girl Like You
4. Plain Ol' Fashioned Girl
5. To Be Happy Is the Real Thing
6. Mother and Child Reunion

Side One, Tracks 1-2 from The Intruders Are Together, Gamble 5001, 1967
Side One, Tracks 3-4, 6 from Cowboys to Girls, Gamble 5004, 1968
Side One, Track 5 from Gamble single 221, 1968
Side One, Track 7 from When We Get Married, Gamble 5008, 1970
Side One, Track 8 from Gamble single 672, 1972
Side Two, Track 1 from Gamble single 2506, 1973
Side Two, Tracks 2, 5-6 from Save the Children, Gamble KZ 31991, 1973
Side Two, Tracks 3-4 from Energy of Love, Gamble KZ 33149, 1974

Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, The Best of Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes (PIR/Legacy, 2021) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side One

1. The Love I Lost (Part 1)
2. Wake Up Everybody (Part 1)
3. Bad Luck (Part 1)
4. If You Don't Know Me by Now
5. Where Are All My Friends
6. Be for Real

Side Two

1. Satisfaction Guaranteed (Or Take Your Love Back)
2. You Know How to Make Me Feel So Good - feat. Sharon Paige
3. Don't Leave Me This Way
4. Hope That We Can Be Together Soon - feat. Sharon Paige
5. I Miss You

Side One, Track 1 from PIR single ZS7 3533, 1973
Side One, Track 2 from PIR single ZS8 3579, 1975
Side One, Track 3 from PIR single ZS8 3562, 1975
Side One, Tracks 4 and 6 & Side Two, Track 5 from I Miss You, PIR KZ 31648, 1972
Side One, Track 5 & Side Two, Track 4 from To Be True, PIR KZ 33148, 1975
Side Two, Track 1 from Black and Blue, PIR KZ 32407, 1973
Side Two, Tracks 2-3 from Wake Up Everybody, PIR PZ 33808, 1975

The O'Jays, The Best of The O'Jays (PIR/Legacy, 2021) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side One:

1. Back Stabbers
2. Love Train
3. For The Love Of Money
4. Time To Get Down
5. Sunshine

Side Two:

1. I Love Music
2. Put Your Hands Together
3. 992 Arguments
4. Now That We Found Love

Side Three:

1. Survival
2. Use Ta Be My Girl
3. Give The People What They Want
4. Livin' For The Weekend
5. Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)

Side Four:

1. Message in Our Music
2. Family Reunion
3. Brandy (I Really Miss You)
4. Put Our Heads Together

Side One, Tracks 1-2, 4-5 and Side Two, Track 3 from Back Stabbers, PIR KZ 31712, 1972
Side One, Track 3 and Side Two, Tracks 2 & 4 from Ship Ahoy, PIR KZ 32408, 1973
Side Two, Track 1; Side Three, Track 4; and Side Four, Track 2 from Family Reunion, PIR PZ 33807, 1975
Side Three, Tracks 1 & 3 from Survival, PIR KZ 33150, 1975
Side Three, Track 2 & Side Four, Track 3 from So Full of Love, PIR JZ 35355, 1978
Side Three, Track 5 & Side Four, Track 1 from Message in Our Music, PIR PZ 34245, 1976
Side Four, Track 4 from When Will I See You Again, PIR FZ 38518, 1983

Billy Paul, The Best of Billy Paul (PIR/Legacy, 2021) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side One

1. Me and Mrs. Jones
2. Am I Black Enough For You?
3. People Power
4. Thanks For Saving My Life
5. Brown Baby
6. Let The Dollar Circulate

Side Two

1. Let's Make A Baby
2. Only The Strong Survive
3. How Good Is Your Game
4. Bring The Family Back
5. The Whole Town's Talking
6. Be Truthful To Me

Side One, Tracks 1-2 & 5 from 360 Degrees of Billy Paul, PIR KZ 31793, 1972
Side One, Track 4 and Side Two, Track 5 from War of the Gods, PIR KZ 32409, 1973
Side One, Tracks 3 & 6 and Side Two, Track 1 from When Love Is New, PIR PZ 33843, 1975
Side Two, Track 2 from Only the Strong Survive, PIR PZ 34923, 1977
Side Two, Track 3 from Let 'Em In, PIR PZ 34389, 1976
Side Two, Track 4 from First Class, PIR JZ 35756, 1979
Side Two, Track 6 from Got My Head on Straight, PIR KZ 33157, 1975

Teddy Pendergrass, The Best of Teddy Pendergrass (PIR/Legacy, 2021) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side One:

1. I Don't Love You Anymore
2. Close the Door
3. The Love I Lost (Part 1) - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
4. You're My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration
5. Life Is a Song Worth Singing

Side Two:

1. Wake Up Everybody - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
2. Turn Off The Lights
3. Bad Luck (Part 1) - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
4. Do Me

Side Three:

1. Love T.K.O.
2. When Somebody Loves You Back
3. If You Don't Know Me By Now - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
4. The Whole Town's Laughing At Me
5. The More I Get, The More I Want

Side Four:

1. You Can't Hide From Yourself
2. Get Up, Get Down, Get Funky, Get Loose
3. Only You
4. Come Go With Me

Side One, Track 1; Side Three, Tracks 4-5; and Side Four, Track 1 from Teddy Pendergrass, PIR PZ 34390, 1977
Side One, Tracks 2 & 5; Side Three, Track 2; and Side Four, Tracks 2-3 from Life Is a Song Worth Singing, PIR JZ 35095, 1978
Side One, Track 3 from PIR single ZS7 3533, 1973
Side One, Track 4 from A Time for Love, PIR TZ 37491, 1981
Side Two, Track 1 from Wake Up Everybody, PIR PZ 33808, 1975
Side Two, Tracks 2 & 4 and Side Four, Track 4 from Teddy, PIR FZ 36003, 1979
Side Two, Track 3 from PIR single ZS8 3562, 1975
Side Three, Track 1 from TP, PIR FZ 36734, 1980
Side Three, Track 3 from I Miss You, PIR KZ 31648, 1972

Lou Rawls, The Best of Lou Rawls (PIR/Legacy, 2021) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side One

1. You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine
2. Groovy People
3. Lady Love
4. See You When I Git There
5. One Life to Live

Side Two

1. There Will Be Love
2. Let Me Be Good to You
3. Sit Down and Talk to Me
4. Not the Staying Kind
5. Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One)

Side One, Tracks 1-2 from All Things in Time, PIR PZ 33957, 1976
Side One, Track 4 from Unmistakably Lou, PIR PZ 34488, 1977
Side One, Tracks 3 & 5 and Side Two, Tracks 1 & 4 from When You Hear Lou, You've Heard It All, PIR JZ 35036, 1977
Side Two, Track 2 from Let Me Be Good to You, PIR JZ 36006, 1979
Side Two, Tracks 3 & 5 from Sit Down and Talk to Me, PIR JZ 36304, 1979