The Philadelphia International All-Stars - Let's Clean Up The Ghetto (1977)

In the late 70's, Kenneth Gamble got together some of Philadelphia International Records' biggest acts to record a benefit album, with proceeds going towards cleaning up and repairing inner city neighbourhoods and helping young African Americans. The likes of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The Intruders, The O'Jays, Billy Paul, and Teddy Pendergrass, along with other PIR artists, each recorded one exclusive track for the album. The centrepiece of the album was the epic, 8-minute "Let's Clean Up The Ghetto," a "posse cut" with all album's featured artists contributing (in similar fashion to the Band Aid/USA For Africa projects that would be recorded seven years later). The project was one of Philly soul's most socially aware efforts, voicing concerns and raising awareness of the voiceless residents of America's ghettos.

Album info. at Discogs:

Let's Clean Up The Ghetto

Available as part of 2-for-1 CD on AMazon:

(amazon.com) Let's Clean Up The Ghetto & Live On Stage

(amazon.ca) Let's Clean Up The Ghetto & Live On Stage

(amazon.co.uk) Let's Clean Up The Ghetto & Live On Stage

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Wake Up Everybody (1975)

As a group, Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes existed in several forms with an ever shifting membership from 1954 to 1996, when Harold Melvin died. Their greatest success occurred in the period 1972-1976, during which they recorded for Philadelphia International. This period also coincided with Teddy Pendergrass' membership, and ended when he left in a dispute over money and the desire to have his name included as part of the group name. This album contains a mix of both socially conscious and carefree party anthems, with the title track being a fine example of the former, and the smash, "Don't Leave Me This Way," perhaps the finest disco song of all time. The album is available on CD but not with the original cover, hence this post.

Album info. from Discogs:

Wake Up Everybody

CD available on Amazon:

(amazon.com) Wake Up Everybody

(amazon.ca) Wake Up Everybody

Philadelphia Classics (1977)

The Philly Sound was characterized by a blend of funk influences and lush string and horn instrumentations. Some might argue that the sound was overproduced, but it proved extremely popular and set the stage for the highly polished sounds of the developing Disco scene. Some of the most famous Philly groups are represented on this blinder of a record, including MFSB, the O'Jays, and Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes, and there's not a weak song in the bunch. This and the preceding Motown Disco post would make a killer DJ set... two turntables, two records, and one fantastic dance party!

Track info:

Philadelphia Classics

CD available on Amazon:

(amazon.com) Philadelphia Classics