 [Original 12″ Version] – MFSB featuring The Three Degrees (1974)')){kind=link}
“TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)” was a 1974 number one hit, and winner of the 1974 Grammy for Best R&B Instrumental Performance, by MFSB (Mother, Father, Sister, Brother) featuring vocals by The Three Degrees. It was written by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff as the theme for the American musical television program “Soul Train”. The single was released on the Philadelphia International label, and it was considered by some critics to be the first disco song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was essentially an instrumental piece, featuring a lush blend of strings and horns in the Philadelphia soul style. There were only two vocal parts to the song: a passage close to the beginning during which The Three Degrees sing “People all over the world!”; and the chorus over the fadeout, “Let’s get it on/It’s time to get down”. The version heard on “Soul Train” also had the series’ title sung over the first four notes of the melody. “TSOP” hit number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in the spring of 1974 and remained there for two weeks, and also topped the American R&B chart and the adult contemporary chart. Don Cornelius, the creator and host of “Soul Train”, refused to allow any references to the name of the TV series when the single was released, requiring Gamble and Huff to adopt the alternate title for the release. Although various different themes were used during the late 1970s and early 1980s, “TSOP” returned in the late 1980s and remained the theme song for “Soul Train” through the disco, 1980s R&B, new jack swing, hip-hop, and neo soul eras of black music. MFSB (Mother Father Sister Brother) was a pool of more than thirty studio musicians based at Philadelphia’s famed Sigma Sound Studios. They worked closely with Gamble and Huff and producer/arranger Thom Bell, and backed up such groups as Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The O’Jays, The Stylistics, The Spinners, Wilson Pickett, and Billy Paul. In 1972, MFSB began recording as a named act for the Philadelphia International label. MFSB originated the signature smooth ‘Philly soul’ sound that dominated the early 1970s for the artists who recorded at the Sigma Sound Studios. The line-up of musicians included Karl Chambers and Earl Young on drums; Norman Harris, Roland Chambers, Bobby Eli, and TJ Tindall on guitar; Winnie Wilford and Ronnie Baker on bass; Vincent Montana, Jr. and Larry Washington on vibes and percussion, Harold Ivory Williams on keyboards, plus Leon Huff and Thom Bell on keyboards, Don Renaldo on strings and Rocco Bene on trumpet. In 2005, drummer Keith Benson (who had joined the group upon Young’s departure) revived the group with Gamble’s help. The group still performs live at private and concert events, and was featured at the inauguration of Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter. The Three Degrees were an American female vocal group, formed in 1963 in Philadelphia. The group has always been a trio, although a total of fifteen women have represented the group so far. The original members were Fayette Pinkney, Shirley Porter and Linda Turner, with the most successful line-up being Fayette with Sheila Ferguson and Valerie Holiday. Early success landed them a cameo appearance in the 1971 film, “The French Connection”. In 1973 they signed with Philadelphia International Records under Gamble and Huff, where they were to have their greatest successes. The first song they recorded there was with MFSB, “TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)”. This channel is dedicated to all the great ‘old school’ R&B music I grew up with, the stuff that originally made me tap my feet and want to be a DJ. Funk, soul, disco, R&B, dance, hip-hop, pop . . . 60s, 70s, 80s . . . whatever you call it, it’s all ‘Old School’ and it’s all here!
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Copyright 1974 Philadelphia International Records
All Rights Reserved
TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)
The Philadelphia sound of 1973/1974/1975 was very popular in
Manila, Philippines which is Philadelphia’s sister city. Music from
The 1970’s is still where it’s at for me.
The girl dancing from 3:13 to 3:16 is gorgeous!
The music of today is nothing compared to the classics of the 70’s.
Soul Train was never broadcast in the UK but it was mentioned quiet a lot
on the radio, It looked like a top quality show
On this day in 1974 {February 24th} “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)” by
MFSB featuring the The Three Degrees entered Billboard’s Hot Top 100 chart
at position #65; and seven weeks later on April 14th, 1974 it peaked at #1
{for 2 weeks} and spent 18 weeks on the Top 100…
And the week it reached #1 on the Top 100 it also peaked at #1 {for 1 week}
on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart…
Then two weeks later on April 28th once again it reached #1 {for 2 weeks}
on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary Tracks chart…
Later in 1974 on September 22nd the The Three Degrees would enter the Top
100 with “When Will I See You Again” at #94; eventually it would peak at #2
{for 1 week}; and the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was
“Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas…
R.I.P. Soul Train’s Don Corneius {1936 – 2012}…
Back in the days when people really knew how to shake their booty. Yeah
baby!!
I used to love to see the “Soul Train Line” on Saturdays while I was
folding laundry!!!
Continuiamo con le danze?
Watching this video…………I had a huge smile across my face the whole
time. Those were the days, my friends…………too bad they had to end.
But, we have our awesome memories now to keep with us. Party on!
My cousin and I used to do the “bump” off this tune all the time when I was
a teen!!
Coffee alone isn’t cutting it today, so I’m reaching outside the box and
starting with a little Philly Sound. I’ll ignore for a moment how old this
is and focus on how good it makes me feel.
The Three Degrees did an episode of “Sanford and Son” back in the day.
put this song in any category you want…bottom line … it kicks ass!!
IT MY FAVORIT MELODY AND WHEN I WAS CHILD I LIKED DANCED SO MUCH , THANKS
ELO have ripped this idea off in their new(ish) video for Showdown.
For much of the 70’s, Philly reigned as the place for the best music; you
had Gamble and Huff doing their thing at PIR and Thom Bell and Co. at
Mighty Three across town powering the Spinners and others. Great music;
hit after hit by so many great artists, in all forms of what we then called
R&B.
Ugh I wish this extended version were in the digital jukebox system
What to say What to say Music of the 70’s Real blowmind.
Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1973 for a
1974 release)
RIP Don Cornelius.
I bet a lot of people other than myself where blown away when they found
out MFSB where a bunch of kool musicicans (white) from Philly!!!!
just fantastic just fantastic bring back the 1970s best
time ever great music
Teen memories :)
I used to listen to this song a lot after school at our Boy’s club for
extra aid in my school work. They had a juke box & this song with Paul
McCartney & Wings “Jets” was played the most. I still like these songs ever
since I was 11. This song reminds me of playing billiards at a pool hall.
THIS IS STILL TOP’S IN MY BOOK. “LOVE THE BEAT”
RIP Don Cornelius. You were the epitome of cool and from an early
beginning in Chicago you helped to spread the message of soul around the
world.
TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia) [Original 12″ Version] – MFSB featuring
The Three Degrees (1974)
Great song from a great television show (Soul Train)! BTW…this was the
show I REALLY watched when I wanted to see people dance good on television!
🙂 Who can ever forget the Soul Train Line (if you watched the show)?
avevo 12 anni ed avevo il disco ero avanti
Gamble & Huff= Genuis!
3:10 …..
Aliens better already have the concept of ‘dance moves’, or we will have to
spend a great deal of time explaining why we place enough importance on
flailing our limbs that we solemnly watch it over and over for years and
judge it on a ten-point scale
I guess the same could be said for sports
Fuera de serie!!!!!!!
@05:02-05:12 Sexy Lady!
I Love Gamble and Huff !!!!!!!! What power they put in their music you
want to get up and dance !!!!!!
This….is soul !
Class, old skool
“Philadelphia Lawyers Are The Best Lawyers In The World” so the saying goes.
So this is their sound….you’ll love it!
Love the whole video montage, and this song is great; but at the 5:16 mark
or so…….lol, so early 1990’s its scary!!! thanks for posting!
Watching this video reminds me how thin we used to be, comparing to the
young
people of today
Tout simplement merveilleux
a superb piece of philly soul..
It also reminds me of Chicago + few other places. Great Disco song!
Wow…! Love your video. TSOP rocks…
Esta musica me recuerda al Xalambo de Torrevieja
I was a freshman in college-this music captured A GENERATION!!!!
วี.เอส.โอ.พี. / ดิ ธรี ดีกรี’
awesome!!!!!! it makes me feel like dancing!!! :D