Life Is What You Make It

The Spirit Of Philadelphia series is back with a fourth installment, a further 17 track feast of Philly gems from the music's heyday in the 1970s. In keeping with the tradition of the series, most cuts are either rare on CD or previously unreleased in this format. These are the recordings beyond the walls of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records but involve many key musicians, arrangers and artists.

The Spirit Of Philadelphia series is back with a fourth installment, a further 17 track feast of Philly gems from the music's heyday in the 1970s. In keeping with the tradition of the series, most cuts are either rare on CD or previously unreleased in this format. These are the recordings beyond the walls of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records but involve many key musicians, arrangers and artists. At the disco end of the spectrum are three Tom Moulton mixes included here, Monday After's € Merry-Go-Round € extremely rare on Buddah Records promo 12 € unavailable commercially until now. Detailed liner notes reveal how events surrounding the Everett € Blood' Hollins track lead to the birth of Chic and how Van McCoy's music was inspired by the sound of Philadelphia. This plus soul legends including The Temptations and Ben E. King at their Philly best.

"Wild and Peaceful" is the 4th studio album, and sixth album of new material released by the funk band Kool & the Gang, and is their commercial breakthrough album. The album was released in 1973 and was hugely successful on the Billboard R&B chart reaching #6 and charting for 36 weeks. It also reached #33 on the Pop charts, making it the band's first entry into that chart's Top 40. The album spawned the band's first 3 Top 10 singles. "Funky Stuff" reached #5 R&B/#29 Pop. The hugely popular track "Jungle Boogie" soared to #2 R&B and #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Hollywood Swinging" topped the Billboard Hot Soul Singles in June 1974 while reaching #6 Pop. The latter two singles both sold over a million copies and were certified Gold by the RIAA. The album itself was also certified Gold.

"Wild and Peaceful" is the 4th studio album, and 6th album of new material released by the funk band Kool & the Gang, and is their commercial breakthrough album. The album was released in 1973 and was hugely successful on the Billboard R&B chart reaching #6 and charting for 36 weeks. It also reached #33 on the Pop charts, making it the band's first entry into that chart's Top 40. The album spawned the band's first 3 Top 10 singles. "Funky Stuff" reached #5 R&B/#29 Pop. The hugely popular track "Jungle Boogie" soared to #2 R&B and #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Hollywood Swinging" topped the Billboard Hot Soul Singles in June 1974 while reaching #6 Pop. The latter two singles both sold over a million copies and were certified Gold by the RIAA. The album itself was also certified Gold.

“We approached this album with a fresh ear,” explains bandleader Pierre Chrétien. “We were keen to build on the band’s sound and message, bringing in some of the French Caribbean and Francophone West African influences that we’ve loved since our youth, so the new album brings in French language tracks and elements of coupé-décalé, zouk and cadence to the overall mix.”

Brick's first two albums, Good High in 1976 and Brick in 1977, were equally superb. So in 1979, one greeted the Atlanta funksters' third album, Stoneheart, with very high hopes. But unfortunately, this vinyl LP is a minor disappointment. Stoneheart isn't terrible; "Raise Your Hands" and "Magic Woman" are decent funk items, and "To Me" is a likable soul ballad. Meanwhile, "We'll Love" is a pleasant pop-jazz instrumental that quiet storm enthusiasts could get into.

"The Isley Brothers: The RCA Victor and T-Neck Album Masters (1959-1983)", a monumental 23-disc box set collection chronicling the sonic evolution and abiding achievements of the unprecedented R&B ensemble, The Isley Brothers. Features newly remastered versions of The Isley Brothers' 21 albums, nearly all of which are expanded with rare mixes and tracks making their CD and digital debuts. This box set follows The Isley Brothers through their transformation from a 1950's doo-wop/gospel vocal group into the world's preeminent R&B Rock'N'Soul powerhouse party band. Includes 84 rare and previously unreleased bonus tracks including the "Great Lost Isley Brothers Album" - Wild In Woodstock: Live At Bearsville Sound Studio 1980, a live studio double album now newly restored.

20 CD Box Set. All Original Recordings from the 60s, 70s, 80s. Released by BMG in 1995.

20 CD Box Set. All Original Recordings from the 60s, 70s, 80s. Released by BMG in 1995.