The word 'legend' is bandied around far too often, but Thom Bell's
contribution to soul music in the late 60s and 70s and even into the 80s is undeniable. As a
member of the Philadelphia 'holy trinity', Mighty Three Music with
Gamble & Huff, he helped change the landscape of soul music.
Bell, along with his long-time writing partner Linda Creed, penned as well as arranged and produced so many songs now regarded as soul classics. We won't wax lyrical any
further as we did a tribute to him when he passed in Dec 2022 aged
79 along with a 40 track playlist of his compositions, arrangements, productions.
Ace Records are releasing the sequel to their first acclaimed compilation of Bell’s productions and arrangements, "Ready Or Not - Thom Bell's Philly Soul Arrangements & Productions
1965-1978", with "Thom Bell, Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound Of Philadelphia Soul 1969
- 1983". It's due for release on 31 May and available to pre-order now from
Ace Records
on CD only.
As is the case with many Kent releases, it comes with a 16 page glossy
booklet with loads of colour photos, details about the tracks and sleeve
notes from Bob Stanley (Saint Etienne) with quotes from an interview with
Bell in 2020.
Many of the 20 songs will need no introduction but there may be several lesser
know ones that may surprise you.
A few of our highlights include: Eloise Laws "Got You Into My Life", Nancy Wilson "Joe", Phyllis Hyman "Let Somebody Love Me" and Dee Dee Bridgewater "One In a Million (Guy)".
Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.
01 - The Delfonics - Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)
02 - The Chargers - You Gotta Be A Lady
03 - Spinners - The Rubberband Man
04 - Eloise Laws - Got You Into My Life
05 - The Stylistics - You Are Everything
06 - Ronnie Dyson - Give In To Love
07 - Elton John - Nice And Slow
08 - New York City - Take My Hand
09 - Deniece Williams - Silly
10 - Dionne Warwick & Spinners - Then Came You
11 - Lou Rawls - Will You Kiss Me One More Time
12 - Little Anthony & The Imperials - Lazy Susan
13 - The Stylistics - Betcha By Golly, Wow
14 - Nancy Wilson - Joe
15 - Johnny Mathis - Loving You, Losing You
16 - Jerry Butler - Walking Around In Teardrops
17 - Bell & James - Nobody Knows It
18 - Phyllis Hyman - Let Somebody Love Me
19 - Dee Dee Bridgewater - One In a Million (Guy)
20 - The O'Jays - Brandy
Rating: | 8.6 |
Explicit: | N |
Genre/Style: | Sweet Soul / 70s Soul / 80s Soul |
Format: | Album / Compilation |
Media: | CD |
Label: | Kent |
Cat No: | CDTOP 522 |
Date: | 31/05/2024 |
Price: | £14.11 |
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Indeed very nice compilation but nothing new.
ReplyDeleteYves