Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes

Big-selling Philadelphia based soul group in the early to mid 1970's - although they began recording much earlier. Lead vocalist was Teddy Pendergrass (not Harold Melvin!) who left in 1976 for a solo career.

Melvin, and the Philadelphia label as a whole, are now recognised as having shaped the sound of disco music in the mid 1970's. Tracks such as "The love I lost", "Where are all my friends", "Bad luck" (baaaddd bassline) and the original of "Don't leave me this way" (also recorded by Thelma Houston were a defining style for the group.

Failing Philadelphia label by the very end of the 1970's, and contractual difficulties, caused Melvin and group to move to the ABC label, and later Source (a sub-label of MCA). From this period, listen for disco classics "Baby you got my nose open" and "Tonight's the night" (which features the vocals of Sharon Paige).

Baby, you got my nose open / Power of love (ABC 12" DM-10, 1977) Bad luck / Don't leave me this way (Philadelphia 12" 4Z8 3712, 1976) - pressed in 1979 Prayin' (Source 12" 13950, 1979) Tonight's the night / Your love is taking me on a journey (Source 12" 13952, 1979) I should be your lover (Source 12" L33-1859, 1980)

 

  1. I miss you (Philadelphia LP)
  2. Black & blue (Philadelphia LP)
  3. To be true (Philadelphia LP, 1975)
  4. Wake up everybody (Philadelphia LP, 1976)
  5. Blue album (Source LP, 1980)

     

  6. If you don't know me by now (CBS, 1973)
  7. The love I lost (Philadelphia, 1974)
  8. Satisfaction guarenteed (Philadelphia, 1974)
  9. After you love me why do you leave me (ABC, 1974)
  10. I'm comin' home tomorrow (Philadelphia, 1974)
  11. Get out (and let me cry) (Route, 1975)
  12. Wake up everybody (Philadelphia, 1976)
  13. Don't leave me this way (Philadelphia, 1977)
  14. Where are all my friends (Philadephia, 1977)
  15. Reachin' for the world (ABC, 1977)

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