Best Of 70s Soul: The Sound Of Philadelphia

The Three Degrees

New York may have been ground zero during the disco generation, but as most folks know, lots of the best sounds came from Philadelphia. In fact, the first disco records were made there and they kept on coming even in the years after the flames had died down at Studio 54. When the sound eventually disappeared, Marshall Jefferson ('Move your body') and others built their Chicago house sound on the foundations of Philly soul. The track by Arthur Prysock is from the album ‘The Other Philadelphia Disco Delights’. This compilation is a great tribute to the long legacy of disco sounds from Philly. It moves past the hits from bigger labels like Philadelphia International and Salsoul, to include some overlooked gems and the kinds of cuts that show that the best disco elements were always handled best in the City Of Brotherly Love.

'When will I see you again' by The Three Degrees was one of the most successful recordings of the Philly Soul era. In the US, the song reached number one on the adult contemporary chart, number two on the pop singles chart, and number four on the R&B chart in the autumn of 1974. In the UK, it fared even better, spending two weeks at the top of the UK Singles Chart in August 1974. The Three Degrees performed the song at Prince Charles' 30th birthday party at Buckingham Palace in 1978. They released ‘Strategy: Our Tribute to Philadelphia’ earlier this year. Valerie Holiday (on the right) is the only member that has remained.

Enjoy this new part of Best Of 70s Soul!

Tracklist:

George Bussey Experience – Come On Over Tonight (1979)
Carl Bean – I Was Born This Way (1977)
The Modulations – Love At Last (1975)
The Dells – Don’t Trick Me, Treat Me (1977)
Archie Bell & The Drells – Don’t Let Love Get You Down (1976)
Arthur Prysock – When Love Is New (1976)
The Trammps – Sixty Minute Man (1972)
True Reflection – That’s Where I’m Coming From (1973)
Ben E. King – No Danger Ahead (1976)
Impact – Taboo (1976)
Jean Carn – Don't Let It Go To Your Head (1978)
Terry Collins – Action Speaks Louder (Than Words) [A Tom Moulton Mix] (1973)
Philly Devotions – Hurt So Bad (1976)
The Three Degrees – When Will I See You Again (1974)
Brown Sugar – I'm Going Through Changes Now (1976)
Eddie Kendricks – On My Way Home (1977)
Tapestry – Life Is What You Make It (1975)
Sharon McMahan ‎– Get Out Of My Life (1973)