Neapolitan

I don't post a lot in this section, I'm not into Contemporary R&B, one style of Soul I really like but hardly gets mentioned is Philadelphia Soul. Most of the vocal groups, songwriters, musicians came from and recorded in Philadelphia in the late 60's arly 70's, actually Philly Soul really influence a lot of groups, and musical styles that came after it, like Disco, boy bands of the 80s. It did get some recognition in 2008 when Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff were inducted in the Rock n Roll HoF. I am glad they got they got noticed, I really don't know how popular those old vocal groups from Philadelphia are, like The Del-fonics, Horlad Melvin and the Blue Notes, Blue Magic.

Strictly speaking the Chi-lites are from Chicago. And artist like Todd Rundgren and Hall & Oates are sometimes considered Philadelphia Soul, but I don't, it's just because they come from the area, imo vocal groups are the real deal when it comes to Philly Soul.

here are some of my favorite songs,



just a side note, I thought the thread "Northern Soul" was going to talk about Soul in the northern cities of the US, I was slightly disappointed when I found out it wasn't, so this one is dedicated to you R-T.

gandhara

nice post. definately have to agree the Philly Sound was great.

my favorite vocal groups from Philly is Blue Magic and the Blue Notes

right-track

Funnily enough the Philly Sound has a big place in the Northern Soul scene Neapolitan.
The music coming out of Philadelphia from the mid to late 60's in particular was astounding.
Here's 3 of my favourite Philly acts;

Cindy Scott in particular. She began singing and writing her own songs as young as 14.

barbarella

Thanx For Posting this Thread!!

This Is My Absolute Favourite Delfonics Track

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Neapolitan

R-T,
that's stuff I don't even know, I have to watch the related videos on youube, when I get time. I looked up the groups youposted, there was little I could find out about them, Patti and The Emblems came from Camden, New Jersey.

barbarella,
that's a great song by the Delfonics,




With oldies, it's hard to find the original song with a good video that goes along with the song, that's not a home-made cheesy video. If I see a half decent live version on youtube of a song I rather post that then a still-frame. Plus you see the group in action. I particularly like the way this one is done.

right-track

Hardly surprisng that you may not have heard of them as Northern Soul pretty much deals with rare songs almost by definition.
Patty and the Emblems had a top 10 hit on local Philly radio stations in 1964 with a song called 'Mixed Up, Shook Up, Girl' and are considered part of the Philly Sound by Northern Soulies.
An association not dissimilar to the Chicago based Chi Lites that you described, I suppose?

Here it is...'Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl'.
Try and ignore the dance style, it's out of sync and doesn't fit the music.


Honey and the Bees were an all girl quartet with great soulful harmonies, so this tune might better fit the vocal style you prefer;



This is the kind of stuff they're liked on the NS scene for.
Uptempo and danceable. 'Dynamite Exploded';

Rx Tone

Yes indeed. Great thread. Thanks for the memories.
Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and the Chi Lites were as smooth as it gets.

Arya Stark

Awh, I love this. Nice videos. Hehe.

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asshat

I really like "rubberband man" by the spinners, I'm not sure if that's philadelphia soul.

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morgos

This track is mostly instrumental, but I thought I'd post it anyway just because it's one of my all time favorite songs, and I'm pretty sure it qualifies as Philadelphia Soul.

MFSB - TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)