RIBS: Gamble & Huff, part 4

This is part #4 of our look at the house that Gamble and Huff built: “The Sound of Philadelphia”…

Playlist: (song — artist [album])

  1. RIBS3: – “a.k.a. RIBS” (echo) – TGrundy
  2. Interlude 1 – MFSB [Philadelphia Freedom]
  3. Love Train – Bunny Sigler [That’s How Long I’ll Be Loving You]
  4. Let’s Make A Baby – Billy Paul [When Love Is New]
  5. Sunshine – O’Jays [Back Stabbers]
  6. Don’t Let It Go To Your Head – Jean Carn [Happy To Be With You]
  7. Only The Strong Survive – Jerry Butler [The Ice Man Cometh]
  8. Nowhere To Run – Laura Nyro & Labelle (group) [Gonna Take A Miracle]
  9. RIBS Promo: “MMM-HM” – EJFlavors
  10. Low Down Blues – Leon Huff [Here To Create Music]
  11. How Good Is Your Game – Billy Paul [Let ‘Em In]
  12. Livin’ For The Weekend – O’Jays [Family Reunion]
  13. Keep On Dancing – Jacksons [The Jacksons]
  14. The Soul City Walk – Archie Bell & The Drells [Dance Your Troubles Away]
  15. Where Are All My Friends – Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [To Be True]
  16. Love Won’t Come Easy – Billy Paul [Let ‘Em In]
  17. RIBS3: – “a.k.a. RIBS” – TGrundy
  18. Do It Any Way You Wanna – The People’s Choice [Boogie Down U.S.A.]
  19. When Am I Gonna Find True Love – Patti Labelle [I’m In Love Again]
  20. Time To Get Down – O’Jays [Back Stabbers]
  21. Summertime And I’m Feelin’ Mellow – MFSB [Summertime]
  22. Girl You Know – Teddy Pendergrass [TP]
  23. I’m Gonna Make You Love Me – Supremes & Temptations [Diana Ross and The Supremes Join The Temptations]
  24. Message In Our Music – O’Jays [Message In The Music]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:27:00 — 119.5MB)

RIBS: Gamble & Huff, part 3

More songs from the team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. It’s a HUGE catalog of music to sift through. So, here is part #3 of our look at Philly Soul, “The Sound of Philadelphia”!

Playlist: (song — artist [album])

  1. RIBS3: “a.k.a. RIBS” (echo) – TGrundy
  2. Zack’s Fanfare (I Hear Music) – MFSB [Love Is The Message]
  3. I’m Weak For You – Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [Black & Blue]
  4. You Got Your Hooks In Me – O’Jays [Ship Ahoy]
  5. If You Don’t Know Me By Now – Simply Red [A New Flame]
  6. If You Don’t Know Me By Now (Live) – Patti Labelle [Patti]
  7. Could It Be I’m Falling In Love – Larry Carlton [Plays The Sound Of Philadelphia (A Tribute To Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff)]
  8. The Real Me – Nancy Wilson [Now I’m A Woman]
  9. RIBS Promo: “Soulful Edition” – Darrenkeith
  10. Lady Love – Lou Rawls [When You Hear Lou, You’ve Heard It All]
  11. Can’t Forget About You, Baby -Jerry Butler [The Ice Man Cometh]
  12. I Wanna Be Your Woman – Dee Dee Sharp Gamble [What Color Is Love]
  13. Good Times – Jacksons [The Jacksons]
  14. Dance Turned Into A Romance – Jones Girls [At Peace With Woman]
  15. Back Stabbers – Larry Carlton [Plays The Sound Of Philadelphia (A Tribute To Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff)]
  16. Back Stabbers – O’Jays [Back Stabbers]
  17. The Love I Lost – Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [Black & Blue]
  18. Sexy – MFSB [Universal Love]
  19. Free Love – Jean Carn [Jean Carn]
  20. Fave: RIBS Promo
  21. You’re The Reason Why – Ebonys [The Ebonys]
  22. Easy, Easy, Got To Take It Easy – Teddy Pendergrass [Teddy Pendergrass]
  23. Ain’t That Loving You – Lou Rawls [Sit Down And Talk To Me]
  24. Love Buddies – Dee Dee Sharp [Happy ’bout The Whole Thing]
  25. Over The Rainbow – Patti Labelle [The Spirit’s In It]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:28:13 — 121.2MB)

RIBS: Thom Bell-Writer, Producer, Arranger, pt 2

Continuing our look at the variety of music that singer, songwriter, arranger, and record producer Thom Bell created. He’s the third “musketeer” that made Philadelphia International Records the hit making machine that dominated the 70s and early 80s. You are probably familiar with his work with the Delfonics, Stylistics and Spinners, but did you know he also produced some excellent music with Elton John, Phyllis Hyman, Johnny Mathis, The Temptations and Dionne Warwick? This is part 2 of The Sound of Philadelphia... Thom Bell style!

Playlist: (song — artist [album])

  1. RIBS3 – “a.k.a. RIBS” (echo) – TGrundy
  2. Mighty Love – Spinners [Mighty Love]
  3. Three Way Love Affair – Elton John [The Complete Thom Bell Sessions]
  4. Ebony Eyes – Stylistics [The Stylistics]
  5. Ready, Willing And Able – Temptations [The Temptations]
  6. Mr. Fresh RIBS Promo #1
  7. Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide From Love) – Delfonics [Sound Of Sexy Soul]
  8. You Are Everything – David Sanborn [Close-Up]
  9. You Never Know What You Got – James Ingram [Always You]
  10. Love Me One More Time – Dionne Warwick [Track Of The Cat]
  11. RIBS5 – Wrap Yourself In Black Satin – TGrundy
  12. Life Is A Song Worth Singing – Johnny Mathis [I’m Coming Home]
  13. Rockin’ Roll Baby – Stylistics [Rockin’ Roll Baby]
  14. Do You Remember Yesterday – Ace Spectrum [Low Rent Rendezvous]
  15. Games People Play – Spinners [Pick Of The Litter]
  16. Fave RIBS Promo
  17. Betcha By Golly Wow – Norman Conners featuring Phyllis Hyman [You Are My Starship]
  18. Baby I Love You – Delfonics [The Delfonics]
  19. Just As Long As We Have Love – Spinners [Pick Of The Litter]
  20. La La La At The End – Little Anthony & The Imperials [On A New Street]
  21. One Man Band (Plays All Alone) – Ronnie Dyson [One Man Band]
  22. I’m Stone In Love With You – Johnny Mathis [I’m Coming Home]
  23. Give In To Love – Dee Dee Bridgewater [Dee Dee Bridgewater (1980)]
  24. He’ll Never Love You Like I Do – Spinners [Mighty Love]
  25. I’m Falling In Love With You – Little Anthony & The Imperials [On A New Street]
  26. Living A Little, Laughing A Little – Spinners [New And Improved]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:29:55 — 123.5MB)

RIBS: Thom Bell-Writer, Producer, Arranger, pt 1

Thomas Randolph Bell is a Jamaican-born American singer, songwriter, arranger, and record producer, known as one of the creators (along with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff) of “Philly Soul” at Philadelphia International Records in the 1970s. Bell is best known for his success with several groups in the 70s, particularly with the Delfonics, Stylistics and Spinners. In June 2006, Bell was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2016, Bell was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.

Playlist: (song — artist [album]

  1. RIBS INTRO: “Another Edition” – TGrundy
  2. I’m Doin’ Fine Now – New York City [I’m Doing Fine Now]
  3. Then Came You (ft. Dionne Warwick) – Spinners [New And Improved]
  4. Love Has Gone Away – Spinners [Mighty Love]
  5. Point Of No Return – Stylistics [The Stylistics]
  6. Once You Hit The Road – Dionne Warwick [Track Of The Cat]
  7. Are You Ready For Love – Elton John [The Thom Bell Sessions ’77]
  8. Fave: RIBS Promo
  9. I’ll Be Around – Spinners [Spinners]
  10. I’ll Be Around (ft. Marion Meadows) – Bob Baldwin [Presents “Betcha By Golly Wow” The Songs Of Thom Bell]
  11. Delfonics Theme (Vocal) – Delfonics [Tell Me This Is A Dream]
  12. I Don’t Want To Lose You – Phyllis Hyman [Phyllis Hyman]
  13. I Don’t Want To Lose You – Spinners [Pick Of The Litter]
  14. What Two Can Do – Deniece Williams [My Melody]
  15. RIBS3 – “a.k.a. RIBS” (echo) – TGrundy
  16. You Make Me Feel Brand New – Regina Belle [Reachin’ Back]
  17. La La Means I Love You – Swing Out Sister [The Living Return]
  18. Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time) – Patti LaBelle [Classic Moments]
  19. Break Up To Make Up – Jean Carne [Closer Than Close]
  20. Living All Alone – Phyllis Hyman [Living All Alone]
  21. Love Comes Easy – Maysa [Sweet Classic Soul]
  22. Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart) – New Birth [Birth Day]
  23. People Make The World Go Round – Suspects Of Soul [Suspicious Characters]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:26:59 — 119.6MB)

RIBS: Gamble & Huff, part 2

Gamble & Huff, part 2

Trying to do justice to the catalog of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in a single podcast mix is like trying to unring a bell, it just can’t be done.

Ever since their first hit song in 1967 “Expressway To Your Heart” by the blue-eyed soul group the Soul Survivors these prolific wrters, arrangers and producers have been cranking out songs and albums that have become the soundtrack to many of our lives.

So, here is part #2 of our look back at Philly Soul, a.k.a. TSOP, a.k.a. “The Sound of Philadelphia”!

Playlist: (song — artist [album])

  1. RIBS INTRO: “Another Edition” – TGrundy
  2. Zack’s Fanfare #2 – MFSB [Philadelphia Freedom]
  3. Expressway To Your Heart – Soul Survivors [When The Whistle Blows Anything Goes]
  4. When Will I See You Again – Three Degrees [The Three Degrees]
  5. You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine – Lou Rawls [All Things In Time]
  6. Use Ta Be My Girl – O’Jays [So Full Of Love]
  7. Let’s Groove – Archie Bell & The Drells [Dance Your Troubles Away]
  8. Rockin’ Pneumonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu – Patti Labelle [The Spirit’s In It]
  9. RIBS3 – “a.k.a. RIBS” (echo) – TGrundy
  10. Cowboys To Girls – Intruders [Cowboys To Girls]
  11. Drowning In The Sea Of Love – Joe Simon [Drowning In The Sea Of Love]
  12. Nights Over Egypt – Jones Girls [Get As Much Love As You Can]
  13. Love, Need And Want You – Patti Labelle [I’m In Love Again]
  14. Medley: Ike’s Rap IV/A Brand New Me – Isaac Hayes [Black Moses]
  15. RIBS8 – “So Good” (echo) – TGrundy
  16. I Ain’t Jivin’, I’m Jammin’ – Leon Huff [Here To Create Music]
  17. Love Epidemic – Trammps [Trammps]
  18. Dirty Ol’ Man (A Tom Moulton Mix) – Three Degrees [The Three Degrees]
  19. Bad Luck – Larry Carlton [Plays The Sound Of Philadelphia (A Tribute To Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff)]
  20. Now That We Found Love – O’Jays [Ship Ahoy]
  21. Now That We Found Love – Third World [Journey To Addis]
  22. Wake Up Everybody – Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes [Wake Up Everybody]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:30:19 — 124.0MB)

RIBS: Gamble & Huff, part 1

The Sound of Philadelphia

Berry Gordy is to Motown and Detroit what Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff are to Philadelphia International Records (PIR) and the ‘City of Brotherly Love’. Motown may have ruled Soul music scene in the 60’s but Philly Soul gave them a run for their money in the 70s and, in many minds, blew right past them.

This is part #1 of our look back at the house that Gamble and Huff built: “The Sound of Philadelphia”…

Playlist: (song — artist [album])

  1. RIBS INTRO: “Another Edition” – TGrundy
  2. Zack’s Fanfare – MFSB [Love Is The Message]
  3. I Love Music – O’Jays [Family Reunion]
  4. Satisfaction Guaranteed (Or Take Your Love Back) – Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [Black & Blue]
  5. TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia) – MFSB featuring The Three Degrees [Detailed Song Information]
  6. Love Is The Message – MFSB [Love Is The Message]
  7. For The Love Of Money – O’Jays [Ship Ahoy]
  8. RIBS3: “a.k.a. RIBS” (echo) – TGrundy
  9. See You When I Get There – Lou Rawls [Unmistakably Lou]
  10. Don’t Leave Me This Way – Thelma Houston [Any Way You Like It]
  11. Music’s Takin’ Over – Jacksons [Goin’ Places]
  12. Only You – Teddy Pendergrass [Life Is A Song Worth Singing]
  13. K-Jee – MFSB [Universal Love]
  14. Ribs8: “So Good” (echo) – TGrundy
  15. I Think I’ll Stay Home Today – Billy Paul [Let ‘Em In]
  16. I’m Not In Love – Dee Dee Sharp [Happy ’bout The Whole Thing]
  17. Love T.K.O. – Teddy Pendergrass [TP]
  18. My One And Only Love – MFSB [Love Is The Message]
  19. Never Gonna Give You Up – Isaac Hayes [Black Moses]
  20. Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love) – O’Jays [Message In The Music]
  21. Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby – Steve Khan [Tightrope]
  22. Show You The Way To Go – Jacksons [The Jacksons]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:32:32 — 127.1MB)

RIBS: Memories of Al Jarreau, pt2-2020

Part 2 of our exploration of the music of Al Jarreau…

In this mix all selections are performed by Al Jarreau except where noted.

Playlist: (song [album])

  1. All Or Nothing At All [Heart’s Horizon]
  2. Mm Mm Good (ft. Al Jarreau) – Joyce Cooling [Third Wish]
  3. Cold Duck [Accentuate The Positive]
  4. Let’s Pretend [High Crime]
  5. RIBS2: Music Felt So Good – TGrundy    
  6. Milwaukee [Glow]
  7. Golden Girl [L Is For Lover]
  8. Never Givin’ Up [This Time]
  9. Thinkin’ About It Too [All Fly Home]
  10. Wait A Little While [All Fly Home]
  11. Gimme What You Got [This Time]
  12. Love Is Real [This Time]
  13. RIBS Soulful Edition – DarrenKeith
  14. Since I Fell For You – Al Jarreau (with Bob James & David Sanborn) [Best Of Al Jarreau] 
  15. (A Rhyme) This Time [This Time]
  16. Have You Seen The Child [Glow]
  17. Spain (I Can Recall) [This Time]
  18. Girl From Ipanema – Al Jarreau & Oleta Adams [A Taste Of Jobim]
  19. (Blue In Green) Tapestry; The Dedication [Heaven and Earth]
  20. (Round, Round, Round) Blue Rondo a la Turk [Breakin’ Away]
  21. Better Than Anything [Look To The Rainbow (Live)]
  22. All Of My Love [Heart’s Horizon]
  23. RIBS1a: Taste of Music (short) – TGrundy      
  24. Love Is Waiting [Jarreau]
  25. High Crime [High Crime]
  26. What You Do To Me [Heaven and Earth]
  27. Trouble In Paradise [Jarreau]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:40:06 — 137.5MB)

RIBS: Memories of Al Jarreau, pt1-2020

One of my favorite male vocalists has and always will be Al Jarreau. Ever since the release of his debut album, “We Got By” in 1975, I’ve been listening to and enjoying his music regularly and often. Here is Part 1 of a two part exploration of his wonderful vocal stylings…

In this mix all selections are performed by Al Jarreau except where noted.

Playlist: (song [album])

  1. RIBS Intro: Taste of Music (short) – TGrundy
  2. Roof Garden [Breakin’ Away]  
  3. Pleasure [L Is For Lover] 
  4. Murphy’s Law [High Crime]    
  5. Distracted [This Time]    
  6. RIBS Promo #1 – Mr. Fresh
  7. Sweet Potato Pie [We Got By]    
  8. We Got By (ft. David Sanborn) [Tenderness]     
  9. My Old Friend [Breakin’ Away]   
  10. Somebody’s Watching You [Glow]     
  11. Tell Me What I Gotta Do [L Is For Lover]     
  12. Sure Enough – Al Jarreau & Randy Crawford [Casino Lights]     
  13. Take Five [Look To The Rainbow]   
  14. My Favorite Things (ft. Kathleen Battle) [Tenderness]  
  15. RIBS Promo: Locked Into Old School Soul – DarrenKeith
  16. Fire And Rain [Glow]    
  17. Summer Breeze – George Benson & Al Jarreau [Givin’ It Up]  
  18. Summer Breezin’ (ft. Gerald Albright) [My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke] 
  19. God Bless The Child – George Benson & Al Jarreau [Givin’ It Up]    
  20. Closer To Your Love [Breakin’ Away]    
  21. Rainbow In Your Eyes [Glow]   
  22. You Don’t See Me [We Got By]  
  23. Letter Perfect [We Got By]   
  24. Spirit [We Got By]   
  25. Agua De Beber [Glow]  
  26. Bring It On Home To Me – George Benson & Al Jarreau [Givin’ It Up]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()

RIBS: Journeys-The Places We’ve Been, pt2-2020

More “Life Is A Journey” theme music…

This mix features selections from the following artists: Rascal Flatts, Con Funk Shun, Donald Byrd, Phil Collins, John Klemmer, Keiko Matsui, Fourplay, Norman Connors, Phyllis Hyman, Will Downing, Earl Klugh, Bob James, Bobbi Humphrey, Lionel Richie, Joe Sample, Maze and Gil Scott-Heron.

Playlist: (song – artist [album])

  1. RIBS8: So Good Echo  – TGrundy
  2. Life is A Highway – Rascal Flatts [Cars Soundtrack] 
  3. California 1 – Con Funk Shun [The Best Of Con Funk Shun]
  4. Places and Spaces – Donald Byrd [Places And Spaces]  
  5. Take Me Home – Phil Collins [No Jacket Required]    
  6. Journey’s End – John Klemmer [All The Children Cried]   
  7. Sense Of A Journey – Keiko Matsui [Wildflower]    
  8. East2West – Fourplay [Elixir]
  9. Romantic Journey – Norman Connors [Romantic Journey]    
  10. Meet Me On The Moon – Phyllis Hyman [Prime Of My Life]    
  11. Sailing On A Dream – Will Downing [Love’s The Place To Be]   
  12. Where I Wander – Earl Klugh and Bob James [Two Of A Kind]  
  13. The Journey – Earl Klugh [The Journey]
  14. Journey To Morocco – Bobbi Humphrey [Flute In]
  15. RIBS1a: Taste of Music (short) – TGrundy 
  16. I’m Coming Home – Lionel Richie [Coming Home] 
  17. The Road Less Traveled – Joe Sample [Ashes To Ashes] 
  18. Travelin’ Man – Maze [Golden Time Of Day]  
  19. Late Last Night – Gil Scott-Heron [1980]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()

RIBS: Journeys-The Places We’ve Been, pt1-2020

Was thinking about life, travels… journeys. “Life Is A Journey”, as the saying goes. An eclectic mix of songs that make me reflect on past travels, present pathways and future roads as we go stepping into tomorrow.

This mix features selections from the following artists: Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson, Tower Of Power, Minnie Riperton, Lakeside, Herbie Hancock, The Crusaders, The Isley Brothers, Bobbi Humphrey, Roy Ayers Ubiquity, Dexter Wansel, Lionel Richie, Jan Hammer, Marvin Gaye, Norman Connors and Pat Metheny Group.

Playlist: (song – artist [album])

  1. RIBS Intro: Another Edition-2012 – TGrundy
  2. 95 South (All Of The Places We’ve Been – Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson [Bridges]
  3. Somewhere Down The Road – Tower Of Power [We Came To Play]
  4. Take A Little Trip – Minnie Riperton [Perfect Angel]
  5. Sailing – Lakeside [Party Patrol]
  6. Maiden Voyage – Herbie Hancock [Maiden Voyage]
  7. So Far Away – Crusaders [Crusaders 1]
  8. The Highways Of My Life – The Isley Brothers [3+3]
  9. The Trip – Bobbi Humphrey [Fancy Dancer]
  10. Take All The Time You Need – Roy Ayers Ubiquity [Mystic Voyage]
  11. RIBS3: aka “RIBS” – TGrundy 
  12. Journey To Love – Stanley Clarke [The Bass-Ic Collection]
  13. One Million Miles From The Ground – Dexter Wansel [Life On Mars]
  14. Wandering Stranger – Lionel Richie [Lionel Richie]
  15. Voyage Home – Jan Hammer [Beyond The Mind’s Eye]
  16. Mystic Voyage – Roy Ayers Ubiquity [Mystic Voyage]
  17. Where Are We Going? – Marvin Gaye [Let’s Get It On, Deluxe Edition]
  18. Destination Moon – Norman Connors [Romantic Journey]
  19. Last Train Home – Pat Metheny Group [The Road To You]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()