Philly soul classics | A wave of sweet soul music arrives
Philadelphia, a city located in southeastern Pennsylvania.
It’s known as a city that’s indispensable when talking about soul music.
The genre known as Philly soul, which was born in Philadelphia in the 1970s, gained popularity with its sweet sound that hadn’t existed in soul music up to that point.
This time, I’d like to introduce some classic tracks of Philly soul.
Philly soul is a genre that laid the foundation for today’s R&B.
It’s also extremely important for understanding Black music, so please relax and enjoy it to the end.
Philly soul classics | A stream of sweet soul music (1–10)
Turn off the LightsTeddy Pendergrass
Teddy Pendergrass, an R&B singer who achieved overwhelming success in the 1970s, is a tremendously important figure in the world of R&B, and part of the foundation of modern R&B was built by him.
Among his works, the song I especially recommend is Turn off the Lights.
It’s a quintessential piece of Philly soul, rich in R&B elements, and the sweet atmosphere crafted by his masculine voice is truly exceptional.
Be sure to check it out.
T.S.O.P. ft. The Three DegreesM.F.S.B.
MFSB is a soul band from Philadelphia.
They came out of Sigma Sound Studios and released many songs with relatively accessible melodies within the Philly soul scene.
Among MFSB’s works, one track that became especially popular is “T.
S.
O.
P.” featuring The Three Degrees.
Its light, upbeat performance is enough to put you in a great mood just by listening.
It’s a recommended song for beginners who aren’t yet familiar with Philly soul.
When Will I See You AgainThe Three Degrees
The Three Degrees are a female vocal group from Philadelphia formed in 1963.
They’ve toured Japan frequently, and many of their songs have been used in Japanese media, so many of you may already know them.
One of their signature hits is When Will I See You Again, a classic you’ve probably heard in commercials and elsewhere.
Its gently flowing melody—characteristic of Philly soul—beautifully evokes a wistful yet warm atmosphere.
Nights Over EgyptThe Jones Girls
The Jones Girls, a group hailing from Detroit, a hotbed of R&B.
They have a background singing backup for great soul singers such as Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Diana Ross, and Aretha Franklin.
As you’d expect, their vocal abilities are top-notch, and their songs showcase the tightly synchronized harmonies of the Jones sisters.
Their signature track “Nights Over Egypt” is a prime example, a distinctive Philly soul piece that pairs an unusual backing track with striking choral hooks.
If Only You KnewPatti LaBelle
Patti LaBelle is a soul singer who made a huge impact as part of the legendary vocal group Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles.
She has also enjoyed great success as a solo artist, leaving behind a wide range of songs.
Among her works, a standout I especially recommend is If Only You Knew.
The song features many phrases that connect to today’s mainstream slow jam style, and overall it’s woven together with a slow, sweet melody.
If You Don’t Know Me By NowHarold Melvin & The Blue Notes
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes are a group that represents Philly soul.
As their career progressed, they embraced a broader musical range, but from their early to mid period they mainly focused on classic Philly soul.
One of their signature songs is If You Don’t Know Me By Now.
It’s a masterpiece where you can savor the sweet, romantic vocals characteristic of Philly soul.
Be sure to give it a listen.
Back StabbersThe O’Jays
The O’Jays are a legendary soul trio formed in 1958.
If you’re familiar with Black music, you probably know them.
When it comes to their signature songs, many people think of “Back Stabbers.” The charm of this track, above all, lies in its smooth performance.
Rather than being a song centered solely on vocals, it’s the kind of piece where the instrumentation and vocals together function as a single instrument to captivate the listener.