Philly Sound-alikes

[Disco Funk]

During the course of looking for examples of early disco, circa '72 to '76, I noticed a number of dance tracks that sounded like they were exact copies of the philly sound, a la The Spinners 'I'll Be Around'. Here are a few faves I've come across over the years, songs which I think showed the heavy influence of Philadelphia on producers, on the push towards disco.

From 1972


From 1973


From 1975, produced by Bert DeCoteaux, the biggest Philly-wannabe. :)


From 1976, produced by Patrick Adams, another big philly imitator (he actually did use MFSB on What Goes Around produced for Black Ivory)


Disco Funk

[Disco Funk]

I thought there was a thread that specifically talked about Bert DeCoteaux's sound. I couldn't find it, so I thought I'd tag this great track to this one. Martha Reeves could still smoke in the 70s



This track and Second Chance, both from the same LP in 75, are the best cuts!

Bert also worked on this cut from Marlena Shaw



Disco Funk

[Disco Funk]

Here's my other favorite cut from the Martha Reeves LP that Bert DeCoteaux produced. It sounds somewhere between Philly and Van McCoy. Disco Funk

[remicks]

I thought there was a thread that specifically talked about Bert DeCoteaux's sound.
Bert also worked on this cut from Marlena Shaw



Disco Funk

Bert DeCoteaux certainly was an appreciative student of a multitude of sounds. ( he deserves a thread ! )



Here he turns Sister Sledge into something sounding familiarly reminiscent of another well known girl group .....





*****

[Disco Funk]

Here's an album I discovered recently. According to the comments for one of the videos for this artist, the LP came out just as the label was going under, so that's why it's so rare. I found it for cheap on CD on ebay.

This is probably the most philly sounding LP I've heard from the latter 70s, but it was recorded in NJ at Englewood. I can't believe I hadn't heard of this guy's music until recently, the whole LP is nice and the female vocals sound totally like the Sigma Sweethearts





Disco Funk

[drlove]

I always thought the vocals/instrumentation on New York City's "I'm Doin' Fine Now" (1973) sounded quite reminiscent of the Spinners at that time, as well as the production work of Philadelphia International Records. Imagine my surprise to find it was a Chelsea Records release !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4ElQ8Q6R5c

[Disco Funk]

Dr Love, I don't know if you're aware that Thom Bell was the producer for New York City & The Spinners. So it isn't a philly sound-alike - it's the real deal! :)

Disco Funk

[drlove]

I actually DIDN'T know that DiscoFunk, so thanks for pointing out the Thom Bell connections (I knew my ears weren't deceiving me !). However, I figured (perhaps wrongly) that a Philly soul record was narrowly construed to be released on Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records, but I'm of course quite glad to expand that definition to similar producers, writers, etc. of that awesome '70s sound that makes me smile

[Disco Funk]

I actually DIDN'T know that DiscoFunk, so thanks for pointing out the Thom Bell connections (I knew my ears weren't deceiving me !). However, I figured (perhaps wrongly) that a Philly soul record was narrowly construed to be released on Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records, but I'm of course quite glad to expand that definition to similar producers, writers, etc. of that awesome '70s sound that makes me smile

I'm a huge fan of the philly sound. So many great tracks were recorded at the famous Sigma Sound studios, but not just for Philly International. There were many other philly area labels like Philly Groove and Salsoul (which was based in New York but featured philly music). But the majors also sent artists to philadelphia to work with the MFSB sigma guys. Here's my thread dedicated to all those philly productions on non-philly labels

http://www.discomusic.com/forums/sho...+philly+or+not

Disco Funk

[drlove]

thanks, DiscoFunk, for that educational thread link !!!!