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/ Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes

April 15, 2024 By Joe Marchese 4 Comments

Earl Young Groove Machine

Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell might have been The Mighty Three, but dozens of musicians joined them in shaping The Sound of Philadelphia.  That triumvirate's lush, lithe productions were brought to life by the loose aggregation of players known as MFSB, or the house band at Sigma Sound Studios.  These are the same musicians who went on to form The Salsoul Orchestra under the baton of Vincent Montana, Jr., including Norman Harris, Ronnie Baker, Bobby Eli, Ron Kersey, Lenny Pakula,

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Categories: News Formats: CD Genre: R&B/Soul Tags: Archie Bell and the Drells, B.B. King, Double Exposure, Dusty Springfield, Earl Young, Eddie Holman, Gamble and Huff, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Loleatta Holloway, New York City, The Delfonics, The O'Jays, The Spinners, Thom Bell, William DeVaughn

April 7, 2023 By The Second Disc 2 Comments

Darlene Love Live 1982

Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles in stores today. Various Artists, Love Is the Message: The Sound of Philadelphia Volume 3 (Snapper/United Souls)  (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) After well over a year since the release of Satisfaction Guaranteed, United Souls' series of box sets collecting the Philadelphia International label's complete studio albums resumes with Love Is the Message: The Sound of Philadelphia Vol. 3.  The

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Categories: Release Round-Up Formats: Box Sets, CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, DVD, Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock, Pop, R&B/Soul, Rock, Soundtracks Tags: Allan Clarke, Billy Paul, Darlene Love, Graham Nash, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, KISS, Linkin Park, Mary Mundy, MFSB, Mister Rogers, NXTOFKIN, Roslyn and Charles, Susanna Hoffs, The O'Jays, Voivod

March 7, 2023 By Joe Marchese 3 Comments

Love is the Message Box

After well over a year since the release of Satisfaction Guaranteed, United Souls' series of box sets collecting the Philadelphia International label's complete studio albums is confirmed to resume with the April 7 release of Love Is the Message: The Sound of Philadelphia Vol. 3.  The third installment of the series promised to eventually encompass 15 volumes contains the following eight studio albums: The Ebonys, The Ebonys (Philadelphia International KZ 32419, 1973); MFSB, Love Is the

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, CD, Vinyl Genre: Pop, R&B/Soul Tags: Billy Paul, Bunny Sigler, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Mel Lewis, MFSB, Monk Montgomery, Thad Jones, The Ebonys, The O'Jays

March 7, 2022 By Joe Marchese 10 Comments

VMP Philadelphia Intl Anthology

The legacy of Philadelphia International Records is as mighty as the famous three men most associated with the label: co-founders and songwriter-producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff and songwriter-producer-conductor-arranger Thom Bell.  The three men didn't do it alone, though; the PIR story involves the dozens of talented artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, and arrangers who passed through the doors of engineer Joe Tarsia's Sigma Sound Studios on North 12th Street in Philadelphia,

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Categories: Reviews Formats: Box Sets, Vinyl Genre: R&B/Soul Tags: Billy Paul, Dexter Wansel, Gamble and Huff, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Leon Huff, Lou Rawls, MFSB, The O'Jays, The Three Degrees, Thom Bell

November 19, 2021 By The Second Disc 5 Comments

Springsteen No Nukes

Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts (Columbia/Legacy) 2CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts features newly remixed and restored audio and video footage from Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band's sets at Madison Square Garden in New York City in

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Categories: Release Round-Up Formats: Blu-Ray, Box Sets, CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, DVD, Vinyl Genre: Blues, Classic Rock, Disco/Dance, Holiday, Jazz, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul Tags: Adele, Billy Paul, Bruce Springsteen, Cat Stevens, Colin Blunstone, Dion, Donna Summer, Genesis, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Hasaan Ibn Ali, Jamie Cullum, KISS, Leo Nocentelli, Lucinda Williams, The Intruders, The O'Jays

September 25, 2021 By Mike Duquette 2 Comments

Stream

While The Second Disc prides itself on connecting people to reissues and box sets they can keep on their shelves, it's no secret that listening audiences are also digital - catalogue music lovers, too - and our passion is connecting people to music from the past that they might adore. So we've introduced a new feature: The Weekend Stream, which focuses on hidden gems that recently made it to digital channels that might make your playlists a little brighter! A Tribe Called Quest, Check the

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Categories: Features, The Weekend Stream Formats: Digital Download, Digital Streaming Genre: Disco/Dance, Pop, R&B/Soul, Rap/Hip-Hop, Rock, Soundtracks Tags: A Tribe Called Quest, Ashley Parker Angel, Basil Poledouris, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Indigo Girls, JoJo, Lou Rawls, Nancy Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Sammy Davis Jr., The O'Jays, Whitney Houston

September 14, 2021 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

VMP Philadelphia Intl Anthology

Sony Music's celebration of Philadelphia International Records' 50th anniversary has so far encompassed a new, vinyl-only series of hits collections as well as the first two releases in the ongoing complete albums series of CD box sets from the U.K.'s Snapper/United Souls label.  Now, a major component of the golden anniversary celebration for the house that Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff built has been announced by the Vinyl Me, Please record club. VMP Anthology: The Story of Philadelphia

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, Vinyl Genre: R&B/Soul Tags: Billy Paul, Dexter Wansel, Gamble and Huff, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, MFSB, Teddy Pendergrass, The O'Jays, The Three Degrees

September 8, 2021 By Joe Marchese 7 Comments

Satisfaction Guaranteed Philadelphia International Packshot

Back in late January, we shared news of Philadelphia International Records' 50th anniversary plans.  The centerpiece of the campaign announced by Sony Music's Legacy Recordings was a series of fifteen CD box sets via the U.K.-based United Souls/Snapper Music presenting every PIR album in chronological order.  The first of those box sets hit stores in late May, and now the second volume has been announced for November 19 release. The slipcased, 8-CD/1-12″ single hardcover book-style set

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, CD, Vinyl Genre: R&B/Soul Tags: Billy Paul, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, MFSB, Spiritual Concept, The Intruders, The O'Jays, The Three Degrees

July 16, 2021 By The Second Disc Leave a Comment

Laura Nyro Trees of the Ages

Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! Tina Turner, Foreign Affair [Various Formats] (Parlophone/Rhino) 4CD/1DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Official Store (white variant) Rhino and Parlophone revisit Tina Turner's 1989 album featuring "The Best" in a variety of formats including a 4CD/DVD Super Deluxe Edition and 2CD and 2LP Deluxe Editions.  The Super Deluxe Edition

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Categories: Release Round-Up Formats: Box Sets, CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, DVD, Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock, Jazz, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul, Rock, Soundtracks Tags: Billy Paul, Boyz II Men, Brian Wilson, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Il Divo, John Mayer, Laura Nyro, Lou Rawls, Smokey Robinson, Teddy Pendergrass, The Allman Brothers Band, The Flaming Lips, The Intruders, The O'Jays, The Tedeschi Trucks Band, Tina Turner, Vince Guaraldi

June 11, 2021 By The Second Disc 1 Comment

RSD Drops 2021

Once again, Record Store Day here in the U.S. looks a little - make that a lot - different this year.  The usual offerings have been split among two dates in 2021 with Drop 1 taking place tomorrow, June 12, at your local independent record retailer.  Drop 2 then takes place on July 17.  Every retailer is handling the Drop a bit differently thanks to the necessary accommodations for social distancing, smaller crowds, and better safety precautions.  So please check in with your favorite store to

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Categories: News Formats: CD, Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock, Pop, R&B/Soul, Rock, Soundtracks Tags: Billy Paul, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Kenny Loggins, Nancy Wilson, Peter Frampton, Steely Dan, Tears for Fears, Teddy Pendergrass, The O'Jays, The Police, The Who

May 28, 2021 By The Second Disc Leave a Comment

Get On Board the Soul Train

Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! Various Artists, Get on Board the Soul Train: The Sound of Philadelphia Vol. 1 (Snapper/United Souls)  (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Burning Shed) Get On Board the Soul Train: The Sound of Philadelphia International Records Vol. 1 is the first in a series of box sets from the U.K.-based United Souls label, an imprint of Snapper Music, which will ultimately collect the entire Philadelphia International albums discography on CD. 

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Categories: Release Round-Up Formats: Box Sets, CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock, Classical/Opera, Disco/Dance, Jazz, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul, Rock, Soundtracks Tags: Abbey Lincoln, Belinda Carlisle, Billy Paul, David Bowie, Dick Jensen, Donald Fagen, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, John Cleese, k.d. lang, MFSB, Moby, Nat Turner Rebellion, Pink Floyd, The Intruders, The O'Jays

May 25, 2021 By Joe Marchese 2 Comments

Best of Philadelphia International

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

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Categories: News Formats: Vinyl Genre: R&B/Soul Tags: Billy Paul, Gamble and Huff, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, The Intruders, The O'Jays, Thom Bell

May 15, 2021 By The Second Disc Leave a Comment

Stream

While The Second Disc prides itself on connecting people to reissues and box sets they can keep on their shelves, it's no secret that listening audiences are also digital - catalogue music lovers, too - and our passion is connecting people to music from the past that they might adore. So we've introduced a new Saturday feature: The Weekend Stream, which focuses on hidden gems that recently made it to digital channels that might make your playlists a little brighter! Various Artists,

Continue Reading

Categories: Features, The Weekend Stream Formats: Digital Download, Digital Streaming Genre: Disco/Dance, Pop, R&B/Soul, Rap/Hip-Hop, Rock, Soundtracks Tags: Billy Paul, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Lionel Richie, Lou Rawls, MFSB, The Intruders, The O'Jays, The Three Degrees, They Might Be Giants

March 8, 2021 By Joe Marchese 14 Comments

Get On Board the Soul Train

Back in late January, we shared news of Philadelphia International Records' 50th anniversary plans.  The centerpiece of the campaign announced by Sony Music's Legacy Recordings was a series of CD box sets presenting every PIR album in chronological order.  Now, the first of those box sets is available for pre-order with a release date of May 28. Get On Board the Soul Train: The Sound of Philadelphia International Records Vol. 1 is a product of the U.K.-based United Souls, an imprint of

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, CD, Vinyl Genre: R&B/Soul Tags: Billy Paul, Dick Jensen, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, MFSB, The Intruders, The O'Jays, Thom Bell

January 20, 2020 By Joe Marchese 7 Comments

Earth Wind and Fire Spirit SACD

The U.K.'s Dutton Vocalion label has announced its first batch of hybrid SACD releases for 2020, all of which feature original quadraphonic and stereo mixes. (The stereo mixes are playable on all CD players.) This round follows an eclectic array of titles released in 2019 including albums by Paul Revere and The Raiders, The Guess Who, Argent, Blood Sweat & Tears, Carlos Santana, and numerous others. (Visit the Dutton Vocalion website for information on all of these titles and more!) The

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Categories: News Formats: CD, SACD Genre: Pop, R&B/Soul Tags: Earth Wind and Fire, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Helen Reddy, Paul Mauriat, The O'Jays

September 16, 2019 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

HaroldMelvinandtheBlueNotes BeForeReal ThePIRRecordings

If you don't know Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes by now, Cherry Red and SoulMusic Records have just the right collection for you. Be for Real: The PIR Recordings (1972-1975) brings together the four albums recorded by the group for Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records on two CDs, plus a six-song bonus disc. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes came to Gamble and Huff's newly-formed label in 1972 after having bounced from label to label including Landa, Arctic, and

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Categories: News, Reviews Formats: Box Sets, CD Genre: Pop, R&B/Soul Tags: Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes

August 23, 2019 By Sam Stone 1 Comment

ElvisPresley AmericanSound1969 mr pl

Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! Here's what arriving today, August 23. Elvis Presley, American Sound 1969 (RCA/Legacy) (Amazon U.S.) The Elvis 1969 celebration continues! In January of that year, Presley and his band began sessions with producer Chips Moman at American Sound Studios in Memphis, which resulted in his acclaimed From Elvis In Memphis album and its lead single "In the Ghetto." He also laid down such iconic songs as "Suspicious Minds," "Kentucky Rain,"

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Categories: Release Round-Up Formats: CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock, Country, Folk, Pop, R&B/Soul Tags: Arlo Guthrie, Bread, Elvis Presley, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Tanya Tucker, The Emotions, The Hollywood Stars

September 27, 2017 By Joe Marchese 6 Comments

Clive Davis Soundtrack of Our Lives

This past April, New York's Radio City Music Hall hosted a prestigious premiere.  The film was Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives, and the screening was accompanied by an all-star concert featuring Barry Manilow, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Carly Simon, and others celebrating the life of the music legend.  Beginning on October 3, Apple Music will exclusively stream the Chris Perkel-directed documentary, and today, September 27, Legacy Recordings has digitally released an exclusive

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Categories: News Formats: Digital Download, Digital Streaming Genre: Classic Rock, Country, Everything Else, Jazz, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul, Rock, Soundtracks Tags: Ace of Base, Alan Jackson, Alicia Keys, Annie Lennox, Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow, Billy Joel, Blood Sweat & Tears, Brooks & Dunn, Bruce Springsteen, Carly Simon, Chicago, Dionne Warwick, Earth Wind and Fire, Elton John, Eric Carmen, Gladys Knight, Grateful Dead, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Janis Joplin, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny G, Luther Vandross, Melissa Manchester, Natalie Cole, Patti Smith, Rod Stewart, Santana, Simon and Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Dayne, Teddy Pendergrass, The Alan Parsons Project, The Kinks, Whitney Houston

March 9, 2016 By Joe Marchese 2 Comments

Harold Melvin To Be True

Blame it on "Bad Luck."  Inexplicably, a proper, wide-release CD reissue has long eluded To Be True, the third of four LPs released by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes on Philadelphia International Records.  Happily, Cherry Red's Big Break imprint has come to the rescue with a remastered and expanded edition of the 1975 chart-topping album that introduced the hit "Bad Luck." To Be True followed I Miss You and Black and Blue, both of which have already been reissued in expanded CD editions by

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Categories: News, Reviews Formats: CD Genre: R&B/Soul Tags: Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass

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