My memory of this song relates almost entirely to the impossibly high vocal in the bridge. So much so that I failed to appreciate there’s much more to it than mere vocal gymnastics. (more…)

The celestial harmonies that open this song make it an essential addition to any playlist of Philly soul. (more…)

This one’s been around the block a bit. Never Can Say Goodbye was written for The Supremes and first recorded by The Jackson 5 and Isaac Hayes. (more…)

As soon as the sumptuous opening strains of this Philly classic begin, you know you’re in for something smooth and soulful.  Even so, nothing quite prepares you for the sweet sound of Eddie Holman’s soaring falsetto. (more…)

This sweetly sentimental slice of soul, featuring the featherlight falsetto of 16-year-old Marcel King, was England’s answer to The Stylistics. Surprisingly, Sweet Sensation came not from Philly – but Manchester. (more…)

The early Seventies were a golden age of one-hit wonders. Johnny Bristol was another, though this disco classic was far from his only contribution to pop history. (more…)

The smoothest and sweetest soul balladeers of the era, The Stylistics’ signature sound was built around the lush Philly productions of Thom Bell and the soaring falsetto of Russell Thompkins Jr. (more…)

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Disco before disco was invented… It’s a fair bet that a few babies born at Christmas 1974 were conceived with this tune playing on the bedroom Stereogram.

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Philly soul’s signature sound was its sweetness but there was a bitter pill inside the sugar-coated harmonies of Ghetto Child by The Detroit Spinners. (more…)