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| Along with classics by The Delfonics, Spinners and Stylistics, Thom Bell also produced corkers by Elton John and Lou Rawls. |
Here's the scoop...
Thom Bell, along with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, was part of the holy trinity of Philly soul. Reaching an apogee in the early to mid-70s with records for the Delfonics (‘Didn’t I Blow Your Mind This Time’), Stylistics (‘Betcha By Golly, Wow’), the Spinners (‘The Rubberband Man’), and Dionne Warwick (‘Then Came You’), Bell was the classically trained arranger who introduced the celeste, the French horn and the harpsichord to soul music.
Thom Bell: Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983 (out May 31st via Kent/Ace) is the sequel to “Ready Or Not”, Ace’s first acclaimed compilation of the late Thom Bell’s productions and arrangements. Put together by Saint Etienne’s Bob Stanley, “Didn’t I Blow Your Mind?” combines some of Bell’s biggest and best loved 70s hits with rarities and 80s quiet storm classics such as Deniece Williams’ ‘Silly’ and Phyllis Hyman’s seductive ‘Let Somebody Love You’. Elton John lines up alongside soul legends like Lou Rawls and Eloise Laws.
This collection will appeal to Northern Soul collectors as well as pulling in lovers of smooth 70s and 80s soul. Bob Stanley’s sleeve-notes – with a rare interview with Bell himself - and a wealth of rare photos are icing on the cake.
Bell’s unique and instantly identifiable Philly sound has proved timeless.
You can pre-order a copy of Thom Bell: Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983 right here. Check the track listing below followed by The Delfonics' timeless title track, The Spinners' "Rubberband Man" and some grainy 1977 archival footage of Thom Bell's studio playback for Elton John's "Nice and Slow" along with an audio clip of the issued version.
Thom Bell: Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983
01 Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) - The Delfonics
02 You Gotta Be A Lady - The Chargers
03 The Rubberband Man - Spinners
04 Got You Into My Life - Eloise Laws
05 You Are Everything - The Stylistics
06 Give In To Love - Ronnie Dyson
07 Nice And Slow - Elton John
08 Take My Hand - New York City
09 Silly - Deniece Williams
10 Then Came You - Dionne Warwick & Spinners
11 Will You Kiss Me One More Time - Lou Rawls
12 Lazy Susan - Little Anthony & The Imperials
13 Betcha By Golly, Wow - The Stylistics
14 Joe - Nancy Wilson
15 Loving You - Losing You - Johnny Mathis
16 Walking Around In Teardrops - Jerry Butler
17 Nobody Knows It - Bell & James
18 Let Somebody Love Me - Phyllis Hyman
19 One In a Million (Guy) - Dee Dee Bridgewater
20 Brandy - The O'Jays
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