VA - Creme De La Creme, Philly Soul Classics and Rarities [2003] + Creme De La Creme Two, More Philly Soul Classics and Rarities [2005]

PHILLY SOUL

VA - Creme De La Creme, Philly Soul Classics and Rarities [2003] + Creme De La Creme Two, More Philly Soul Classics and Rarities [2005]

The Philadelphia soul sound of the early 70's represents an unparalleled zenith in the evolution of urban music -- while Detroit's Motown sound typified lush musical sophistication and Memphis' Stax-Volt sound embodied deep emotional impact, Philly soul pinpointed and then expanded the middle ground between the two, creating a sweeping, shimmering soul aesthetic that was both playful and profound, as capable of penetrating political commentary as it was smoldering sexual innuendo. While the music produced by Philadelphia International label hit-makers Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell remains the gold standard among the myriad hits coming out of Philly in the pre-disco era, countless other titles were coming out of the city's studios as well -- some of them were by superstars and most of them were by unknowns, but all were possessed of the same silky smooth universal groove. 

Crème de la Crème: Philly Soul Classics and Rarities From the Vaults of Atlantic, Atco, & Warner Bros. Records 1972-1976 documents the best Philly soul singles from a label not really associated with its particular time and place, which is not to suggest that this material is remotely subpar, quite to the contrary, some of it ranks alongside the very best of acts like the O'Jays and the Spinners, even though virtually none of it came within miles of reaching the charts. Highlights include the Aristocrats' "Let's Get Together Now," Major Harris' "Loving You Is Mellow," Bettye Swann's "Kiss My Love Goodbye," Vivian Reed's "Save Your Love for Me," and Clyde Brown's "You Call Me Back."

Crème de la Crème Two: More Philly Soul Classics & Rarities from the Vaults of Atlantic, Atco and Warner Bros. Records 1970-1980 follows on its exemplary predecessor to further document the efforts of a major label conglomerate that throughout the decade rivaled Philadelphia International in terms of quantity and quality, the set digs even deeper than the first volume, assembling deep album cuts and unreleased tracks, but the music is no less impressive. Highlights include Major Harris' "Each Morning I Wake Up," Bettye Swann's "When the Game Is Played on You" and the Tom Moulton remix of Sister Sledge's "Mama Never Told Me." (AllMusic Review by Jason Ankeny)

The Philly sound is one of the most important chapters in the story of 1970's soul music. The rich and creamy sound developed at Sigma studios is beautifully crafted and while some of the urgency was sacrificed, the resulting multi-layered productions are a testament to some of the greatest writers, producers, arrangers and engineers ever brought together under one roof. 

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VA - Creme De La Creme, Philly Soul Classics And Rarities [2003]

VA - Creme De La Creme Two, More Philly Soul Classics and Rarities [2005]

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Track lists

CD1

01 Blue Magic Look Me Up (Album Version) 5:54

02 Sister Sledge Pain Reliver 3:42

03 Impact Happy Man (Pt.1) 2:53

04 Jackie Moore Both Ends Against The Middle 2:30

05 Terry Collins Action Speaks Louder (Than Words) 2:45

06 First Choice First Choice Theme (Single Version) 3:14

07 Black Ivory What Goes Around (Comes Around) 5:12

08 Bettye Swann When The Game Is Played On You 3:08

09 Major Harris Boogie Blues Band Each Morning I Wake Up 3:50

10 Jackie Moore What A Man 2:38

11 Ben E. King No Danger Ahead 4:01

12 Moving Violation Spinnin' Top 2:04

13 Sister Sledge Mama Never Told Me (Tom Moulton Remix) 5:28

14 Blue Magic Answer To My Prayer 3:08

15 Vivian Reed Vivian's Theme (Instrumental - Previously Unreleased) 3:01

16 Aristocrats Loving You Is Mellow (Previously Unreleased) 5:03

17 Holly Maxwell Never Love Again 2:46

18 Persuaders Some Guys Have All The Luck 3:32

19 Vivian Reed Tired Of Being Alone (Previously Unreleased) 3:16

20 Margie Joseph & Blue Magic You & Me (Got A Good Thing Going) 3:06

21 Spinners Are You Ready For Love (Single Version) 3:36

22 Dee Dee Bridgewater That's The Way Love Should Feel 4:24

CD2

01 Spinners I'll Be Around 3:12

02 Major Harris Loving You Is Mellow 4:27

03 Bettye Swann Kiss My Love Goodbye 3:23

04 Blue Magic Welcome To The Club 5:12

05 True Reflection That's Where I'm Coming From 2:35

06 Vivian Reed Save Your Love For Me 3:19

07 Clyde Brown You Call Me Back 3:05

08 First Choice Yes Maybe No 2:52

09 Persuaders Hold On (Just A Little Bit Longer) 3:16

10 Sons Of Robin Stone Got To Get You Back 3:13

11 Trammps Can We Come Together 5:36

12 Aristocrats Let's Get Together Now 3:05

13 Dianne Steinberg One More Time 3:12

14 Blue Magic Maybe Just Maybe (We Call Fall In Love Again) 4:20

15 Major Harris Love Won't Let Me Wait 3:46

16 Spinners You're All I Need In Life 4:30

17 Anglo Saxon Brown Gonna Make You Mine 6:29

18 Blue Magic Sideshow 4:11

19 Dionne Warwick Once You Hit The Road 4:03

20 First Choice I Got A Feeling 5:15

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