MFSB

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1974: "Diamond in the back, sunroof top, digging the scene with a gangster lean"

  • It is a little know fact that MFSB provided backing for William DeVaughn 1974 smash hit "Be Thankful For What You Got", a track which was reinterpreted by Bunny Clarke, in a Lee 'Scratch' Perry production
  • MFSB are primarily known for their Love Is The Message, which probably is the granddaddy of all club music. 'Mysteries Of the World' was a Dexter Wansel produced Loft classic.

    SONY BIOGRAPHY Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff were the architect's of the Philly Sound , but the contractors who laid down those vivid, erotic rhythms for the O'Jays, the Blue Notes and the stable of stars at Philadelphia International Records was Mother, Father, Sister, Brother--better knows as MFSB. These indelibly arranged instrumentals illustrate why MFSB made history, and the charts. If love was the message, then MFSB were the masters of communication: a groove collective that burned with passion and romance, a sex machine that sizzled in the car, on the dance floor and wherever lover turned out the lights.


    AMG BIOGRAPHY: This instrumental ensemble punctuated many hits produced by the duo of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in the '70s. They were a blend of string, horn, and rhythm players. The roster included bassist Ronnie Baker, keyboardist Lenny Pakula, guitarists Norman Harris, James Herb Smith and Roland Chambers, drummer Earl Young , and percussionists/drummers Miguel Fuentes and Quinton Joseph. Gamble, Huff, Don Renaldo, Dexter Wansel, and Vince Montana all took turns conducting the orchestra. While backing The O'Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, the Intruders, and many others, MFSB also cut several LPs as performers from 1973 through 1980. "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)," with The Three Degrees, was Soul Train's theme song in 1974 and also topped the R&B; and pop charts. They earned another hit in 1975 with "T.L.C. (Tender Lovin' Care)," which made it to number two. The title track of their final LP, "Mysteries of the World," was a big hit in England in 1980. They also did sessions with Melba Moore, the Stylistics, Spinners, and others outside the Philadelphia International umbrella. -- Ron Wynn

     

     

    • MFSB 1973
    • T S O P 1974
    • Love Is the Message 1975
    • Universal Love 1975
    • Philadelphia Freedom 1975
    • Summertime 1976
    • End of Phase One 1978 (compilation)
    • M F S B & Gamble Huff Orchestra 1978
    • Mysteries of the World 1980
      2001, dec 28; 11:49:
    • Deep Grooves, and MFSB compilation [Amazon US] [more on MSFB] 1. Sexy 2. Cheaper To Keep Her 3. Back Stabbers 4. K-Jee 5. Family Affair 6. Freddie's Dead 7. Love Is The Message (Love Groove Bonus) 8. Love Has No Time Or Place 9. Human Machine 10. Lay In Low 11. MFSB 12. Love Is The Message (12-Inch Version)

      jahsonic@yahoo.com