Harmless - Philly 40

"Philly 40" The Philadelphia International Records 40th Anniversary Campaign Harmless Records are proud to announce a campaign to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of the greatest black music record companies of all time – Philadelphia International Records. Founded by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in 1971, the label launched with the album 'Going East' by Billy Paul in October 1971 but really hit its stride throughout 1972 with a brace of international hits from veteran Philadelphia based signings like the O’Jays, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and the Three Degrees. Legendary A&R visionary Clive Davis was responsible for bringing the Philly hit machine to the Columbia group for distribution – a gamble which proved to be extraordinarily successful as the major distributor struggled to keep up with the hits that were pouring out from Sigma Sound studio in downtown Philadelphia – the recording home of P.I.R. where smashes like "Backstabbers", "Love Train", "Me & Mrs Jones", "If You Don’t Know Me By Now" and numerous others all rolled out in 1972 alone. Just two years later, Philadelphia International became the second largest black-owned company in the U.S.A. following Berry Gordy’s Motown, which had similarly forged its identity with a trademark sound from Detroit. Jump forward 40 years and Philadelphia International is still independent and still owned by its original founders, Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff – an extraordinary achievement in an age where most other independent companies (including Motown) have long since been absorbed into large conglomerates. We are delighted to be welcoming Kenny Gamble to the UK in mid November where he will doing a number of specially selected interviews to support the launch of the campaign in January through February 2012. Details of these will follow shortly. In light of the above, we felt it was only fitting to celebrate the 40 anniversary of Philadelphia International with some brand new "Philly 40" PIR releases which have been long overdue and will be eagerly anticipated around the world... Philadelphia International: The Re-Edits HURTXCD111 - Released: 16/01/12 21 of the hottest PIR Re-Edits which have been done by PIR enthusiasts from around the world incuding Todd Terje, ScratchNSniff, Apt One and more... Fully approved by Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff. Philadelphia International: The Roots of PIR HURTXCD118 - Released: 30/01/12 What happened before PIR? Ace historian and compiler Richard Searling compiles the pre PIR gems from the Gamble & Huff stable plus an exclusive DVD interview with Kenny Gamble.. Philadelphia International: The Tom Moulton Remixes HURTXCD112 - Released: 13/02/12 The godfather of the Disco Mix and inventor of the 12” format returns to the label where he started and remixes 15 more original PIR tracks to add to 16 of his best original PIR mixes. Philadelphia International: 40th Anniversary Box Set HURTBOX1 - Released: 27/02/12 PIR expert Ralph Tee goes through the complete history of PIR with a lovingly compiled 10CD deluxe box set with 60 page booklet plus an exclusive DVD interview with Kenny Gamble.

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Philadelphia International - the Re-Edits [Harmless HURTXCD111] "Statisfaction Guaranteed" is a great way to summerize this collection of classy Philly tracks, here in re-edited and remixed versions by various people from around the globe. Most of your favorite Philly acts and songs are there, but in new upliftning versions you never heard before while still keeping them true to the originals. All versions have been approved by label owners - Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. So, get down to the Philly Sound with acts like Harold Melvin, O'Jays, Trammps, MFSB, Billy Paul, Jean Carn, Jones Girls and others... CHECK IT OUT... NOW!

Disc 1 - Uptempo Good Time Philly Statisfaction Guaranteed - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [Morning Star Re-Edit] Only The Strong Survive - Billy Paul [J*Ski Re-Edit] Save A Place - the Trammps [J*Ski Extended Re-Edit] Free Love - Jean Carn [Victor Rosario Re-Edit] Do It Any Way You Wanna - People's Choice [Keep Schtum Re-Edit] Life On Mars - Dexter Wansel [DJ Mila Re-Edit] Mysteries Of The World - MFSB [J*Ski Extended Re-Edit] Ain't No Stopping Us Now - McFadden & Whitehead [The Noodleman Re-Work] Dance Turned Into Romance - the Jones Girls [DJ Friction Re-Edit] Be For Real - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [Tim MacAllister Re-Edit] Message In Our Music - the O'Jays [Jimmy the Twin Re-Edit]

Disc 2 - Mellow Slinky Philly If You Wanna Go Back - Jean Carn [Morning Star Re-Edit] Darlin' Darlin' Baby - the O'Jays [Deep&Disco Re-Work] You're Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else - the Jones Girls [Henry Greenwood Re-Edit] Strategy - Archie Bell & the Drells [Touchsoul Re-Edit] Let The Dollar Circulate - Billy Paul [ScratchNSniff Extended Re-Rub] Easy Money - Dee Dee Sharp Gamble [Todd Terje 2004 Re-Edit] Was That All It Was - Jean Carn [Morning Star Re-Edit] Night Over Egypt - the Jones Girls [Womack & TOT Re-Edit] Don't Let Love Get You Down - Archie Bell & the Drells [Ed Zone Re-Edit] Wake Up Everybody - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [DJ Apt One Re-Edit]

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