First Choice [2022] - The Philadelphia Re-Edit Sessions [Simpson Uniquity] (Full Album)

Paul Simpson is back with a new set of Philadelphia Re-Edit Sessions. This time around Mr. Simpson's subject is Philly Trio First Choice who were originally a high school quartet consisting of Rochelle Fleming, Annette Guest, Wardell Piper and Malanie McSears.

Their first single "This Is The House (Where Love Died)", released on Scepter in 1972, failed to chart but got exposure on the UK Northern Soul scene and is included in this set. McSears left the group at this point leaving them as a trio. They followed it up with what was to become their biggest US hit "Armed And Extremely Dangerous" (#11 R&B / #28 Hot 100 / #16 UK). However, they surpassed that in the UK with their next single "Smarty Pants" which was a UK Top 10 pop hit (#9).

Wardell Piper left for a solo career before the release of their debut album "Armed And Extremely Dangerous" in 1973 being replaced by Joyce Jones. Whilst Piper is not pictured on the sleeve, she did sing on the album which was mixed by Tom Moulton although uncredited. Piper's first, and biggest, single was "Captain Boogie" which didn't materialise for another five years in 1978.

More First Choice hits followed with "Newsy Neighbors", "The Player", "Guilty" and "Doctor Love" being probably their best known. A couple of omissions in this set includes "Doctor Love" and  "Let No Man Put Asunder" which debuted on their 1977 album "Delusions" but wasn't released as a single until 1983 and was only released on 12" in the US by Salsoul, but did get a 7" issue in The Netherlands.  Mary J. Blige covered the song in 1999.

The group released six albums between 1973 and when they disbanded in 1980. The first two on Philly Groove (which ran from 1967-74 and was owned by Stan 'The Man' Watson (a member of  50s doo-wop group The Del-Vikings who later managed the Orphonics who became The Delfonics) and Sam Bel with Thom Bell being their A&R man) the third on Warner Bros, and the last three on Gold Mind created by Norman Harris in 1976 and distributed by Salsoul.

Performing on their albums where (Ron) Baker, (Earl) Young & (Norman) Harris along with Bobby Eli, Ron Kersey, Vince Montana and my other musicians instrumental in the Philly Sound throughout the 70s.

Although the group disbanded in 1980 a couple of attempts to revive the group were undertaken by various members at different times. In Aug 2014 the group reunited to perform at the Salsoul Records reunion concert at the East River Park Amphitheatre in New York with the three original members Rochelle Fleming, Annette Guest, Wardell Piper, and Ursula Herring (who replaced Joyce Jones in 1976). They continue to tour with original member Annette Guest, Ursula Herring and new member Andre A. Jackson.

As the sound files are only available for two weeks (until 1 Jan 2023) I've not posted samples this time as full length versions are available to listen to on Paul's new website. They should appear at top of page, if they are not there then it means they are no longer available.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

All tracks are from First Choice's first three albums (listed below) except tracks 10,14 &18 which are non-album singles only and track 20 is a bonus track on a CD reissue only. Full details below. 

1973 - Armed And Extremely Dangerous *

1974 - The Player **

1976 - So Let Us Entertain You ***

1/ non-album single, their first single on Specter 1972

2/ Gonna keep on lovin' him 7" single only on flip to Armed And Extremely Dangerous

3/ Love freeze 7" single 1975

4/ You became a woman was a bonus track on 1994 (Japanese only) CD reissue of "So Let Us Entertain You"

Track Listing:

01 - Armed & extremely dangerous (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 6:11 *

02 - Gotta get away (From you, baby) Paul Simpson Re-edit 6:17 ***

03 - Are you ready for me? (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 5:24 ***

04 - I got a feeling (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 7:17 ***

05 - The player (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 7:32 **

06 - Hustler Bill (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 7:12 **

07 - First Choice theme/Let us entertain you/Ain't he bad (Medley) Paul Simpson Re-edit 9:38 ***

08 - Guess what Mary Jones did? (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 5:58 **

09 - Newsy neighbors (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 6:10 *

10 - This is the house (Where love died) Paul Simpson Re-edit 3:43 (7" [1])

11 - Runnin' out of fools (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 4:10 *

12 - Smarty pants (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 4:32 *

13 - You took the words right out of my mouth (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 7:24 **

14 - Love freeze (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 3:17 (7" [2]) 

15 - Guilty (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 5:53 **

16 - Love & happiness (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 6:34 *

17 - One step away (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 5:17 *

18 - Gonna keep on lovin' him (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 4:42 (7" [3])

19 - Yes, maybe no (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 4:25 ***

20 - You became a woman (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 4:37 [4]

21 - I'll stay right here (Paul Simpson Re-edit) 3:32 ***

Details

Rating:	9
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Philly Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Simpson Uniquity
Cat No:	None
Date:	19/12/2022
Price:	$11.99

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