Didn't I Blow Your Mind? comp offers more Philly soul gems cut by Thom Bell

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