Excel Records
| Company type | Record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music industry |
| Predecessor | Neptune Records, Excel Records/Gamble Records |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder | Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, Thom Bell |
| Defunct | 2001 |
| Fate | Catalog acquired by Sony Music Entertainment in 2007 |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, Thom Bell, Joe Tarsia |
| Products | Music recordings (Philadelphia soul) |
| Owner | Sony Music Entertainment (since 2007) |
Philadelphia International Records (PIR) was a prominent American record label headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, established in 1971 by the songwriting and production team of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff alongside collaborator Thom Bell. The label was renowned for its focus on the Philadelphia soul style, a unique subgenre within R&B distinguished by rich orchestral arrangements, prominent bass lines, and dynamic percussion. Throughout the 1970s, PIR produced a string of international chart-toppers.
Among its leading artists were the O'Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, MFSB, Billy Paul, Patti LaBelle, and Lou Rawls. From its inception in 1971 until the early 1980s, PIR released more than 170 records that achieved gold or platinum status.
The label's operations largely ceased after 1987, culminating in its closure in 2001. Since 2007, the PIR catalog has been under the ownership of Sony Music Entertainment.
Beginning and success
Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff first crossed paths in 1964 while working as session musicians for Philadelphia-based labels such as Cameo-Parkway Records. Huff became part of Gamble’s band, the Romeos, taking over piano duties from future producer Thom Bell. After experiencing limited achievements with Arctic Records, the Romeos disbanded.
Inspired by Motown’s business model, Gamble and Huff initiated an early label called Excel and Gamble. Their success signing the Intruders led to the creation of Neptune Records in 1969, financially backed by Chess Records. Neptune signed future PIR artists including the O'Jays and the Three Degrees. When Chess underwent ownership changes later that year, Neptune ceased operations, motivating Gamble and Huff to found Philadelphia International Records. They secured an exclusive production agreement with Columbia Records to attract African American talent.
The label was connected to Mighty Three/Assorted Music, a publishing company managed by Gamble, Huff, and Thom Bell dedicated to promoting their songwriting.
Notable hits comprised "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" by MFSB featuring the Three Degrees (1974), "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" by McFadden & Whitehead (1979), "Back Stabbers" and "Love Train" by the O'Jays (1972/3), "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and "The Love I Lost" by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes (1972/3), "Me and Mrs. Jones" by Billy Paul (1972), "When Will I See You Again" by the Three Degrees (1974), and "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" by Lou Rawls (1976).
PIR maintained a distribution partnership with CBS Records until 1984; from 1976 onward, EMI took over distribution duties while CBS handled earlier releases. In 2007, Sony's Legacy Recordings reclaimed full control of the catalog and issued a box set titled Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia in 2008.
Most sessions were recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, with engineering led by Joe Tarsia. The backing band MFSB—comprising over 30 studio musicians—supported many recordings; numerous members also contributed as arrangers or producers. Key figures included Bobby Martin, Norman Harris, Thom Bell, Ronnie Baker, Vince Montana, Jack Faith, and John Usry.
Gamble and Huff produced works for artists such as Jerry Butler, Wilson Pickett, and Dusty Springfield. They also crafted the first two albums for the Jacksons following their departure from Motown in 1976: The Jacksons—which featured the platinum hit single "Enjoy Yourself"—and Goin' Places. Although released on Epic Records, both albums bore PIR branding.
In 1965, Gamble and Huff founded Excel Records, which was soon renamed Gamble Records; this entity merged into PIR as a subsidiary in 1972. The subsidiary adopted the name TSOP Records in 1974 after the success of "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)." Acts affiliated with Excel/Gamble/TSOP included Dee Dee Sharp, Archie Bell & the Drells, and The People's Choice—who notably scored a top-10 hit with "Do It Any Way You Wanna" in 1976. Later additions during the 1980s and ’90s featured Patti LaBelle, The Stylistics, Phyllis Hyman, and The Dells.
Between 1973 and 1975, Gamble and Huff distributed Golden Fleece, a boutique label operated by Norman Harris, Ronnie Baker, and Earl Young that released The Trammps’ second album. Additionally, they launched Thunder Records—established by Thom Bell—which issued only two singles: Derek & Cyndi's "You Bring Out the Best in Me/I'll Do the Impossible for You," produced by Bell; and Michael Walker's "I Got the Notion, You Got the Motion," produced by Philippe Wynne.
Later period
By the mid-1980s, Philadelphia International Records had ended its distribution arrangement with Columbia and subsequently partnered with Capitol/EMI Records. Although continuing to release hits such as Shirley Jones' "Do You Get Enough Love," the label's commercial prominence had diminished.
In the 1990s, Philadelphia International introduced Uncensored Records as a subsidiary focusing on hip hop artists like Damon and No Question. Since scaling back studio activity in the mid-1980s, Gamble and Huff have concentrated primarily on licensing their extensive catalog worldwide while issuing relatively few new recordings.
Gamble and Huff earned their first Grammy Award in 1989 when Simply Red’s rendition of their song "If You Don't Know Me By Now" won Best R&B Song. They were honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999 and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008; their band the O'Jays had been inducted earlier in 2005.
In November 2009, PBS broadcast Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia, a two-part program celebrating Gamble and Huff alongside Philadelphia International artists. This concert was filmed live at Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel in June 2008.
In February 2010, an intoxicated intruder set fire to portions of PIR's Broad Street offices in Philadelphia—a building formerly housing Cameo-Parkway Records that held significant musical heritage for the city.
To mark its 40th anniversary in August 2011, Philadelphia International launched TSOP Soul Radio—an online platform featuring music selections and interviews from Gamble and Huff’s catalog.
Following damage caused by the arson attack in 2010, the Broad and Spruce Streets property was shuttered and sold to developer Dranoff Properties in 2014. Demolition commenced in April 2015 to make way for construction of an SLS International Hotel.
Having composed over 3,000 songs together, Gamble and Huff rank among history’s most prolific songwriting duos. They continue their collaborative work from residences located in South Philadelphia.
Philly soul
Philadelphia soul—commonly known as Philly soul—originated in Philadelphia during the mid-1960s, presenting a more polished alternative to the intense deep soul prevalent at the time, while maintaining the heartfelt essence of mainstream R&B. Philadelphia International Records (PIR) became a prominent label in this genre, showcasing talents such as the O'Jays and Teddy Pendergrass.
This style is distinguished by its rich string orchestrations and commanding brass sections, frequently incorporating the Philadelphia Orchestra's string ensemble. The core sound of Philly soul was shaped predominantly by producers Gamble, Huff, and Bell at PIR. The genre's energetic grooves played a significant role in shaping the disco movement of the 1970s.
Discography
The cataloging system for releases from 1971 through 1985 corresponded with CBS Records' numbering; between 1986 and 1990, it followed Capitol/EMI's scheme; and starting in 1991, Philadelphia International's output was distributed via Zoo Entertainment.
| Catalog | Album | Artist | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| KZ 30580 | Going East | Billy Paul | 1971 |
| KZ 31648 | I Miss You | Harold Melvin & Blue Notes | 1972 |
| KZ 31712 | Back Stabbers | O'Jays | 1972 |
| KZ 31793 | 360 Degrees of Billy Paul | Billy Paul | 1972 |
| KZ 31794 | Dick Jensen | Dick Jensen | 1973 |
| ZX 31991 | Save The Children | Intruders | 1973 |
| KZ 32046 | MFSB | MFSB | 1973 |
| KZ 32118 | Ebony Woman | Billy Paul | 1973 |
| KZ 32119 | Feelin' Good At The Cadillac Club | Billy Paul | 1973 |
| KZ 32120 | The O'Jays In Philadelphia (initially issued in 1970 on Neptune Records) | O'Jays | 1973 |
| KZ 32131 | Super Hits | Intruders | 1973 |
| KZ 32404 | Spiritual Concept | Spiritual Concept | 1973 |
| KZ 32406 | The Three Degrees | Three Degrees | 1973 |
| KZ/ZQ 32407 | Black And Blue | Harold Melvin & Blue Notes | 1973 |
| KZ/PZ/PZQ 32408 | Ship Ahoy | O'Jays | 1973 |
| KZ 32409 | War Of The Gods | Billy Paul | 1973 |
| KZ 32419 | The Ebonys | Ebonys | 1973 |
| KZ/ZQ 32707 | Love is the Message | MFSB | 1973 |
| KZ 32713 | The Sound Of Philadelphia '73 | Various Artists | 1973 |
| KZ 32859 | That's How I'll Be Loving You | Bunny Sigler | 1974 |
| KZ 32952 | Live In Europe | Billy Paul | 1974 |
| KZ/PZQ 32953 | The O'Jays Live In London | O'Jays | 1974 |
| KZ/PZ 33148 | To Be True | Harold Melvin & Blue Notes | 1975 |
| KZ 33150 | Survival | O'Jays | 1975 |
| KZ 33152 | Potpourri | Thad Jones & Mel Lewis | 1975 |
| KZ 33153 | Reality | Monk Montgomery | 1974 |
| KZ 33154 | Boogie Down U.S.A. | People's Choice | 1975 |
| PZ 33157 | Got My Head On Straight | Billy Paul | 1975 |
| PZ 33158 | Universal Love | MFSB | 1975 |
| KZ 33162 | International | Three Degrees | 1975 |
| KZ 33249 | Keep Smilin' | Bunny Sigler | 1975 |
| PZ/PZQ 33807 | Family Reunion | O'Jays | 1975 |
| PZ/PZQ 33808 | Wake Up Everybody | Harold Melvin & Blue Notes | 1975 |
| PZ 33839 | Happy 'Bout The Whole Thing | Dee Dee Sharp | 1976 |
| PZ 33840 | The Three Degrees Live | Three Degrees | 1975 |
| PZ 33841 | Could It Be Magic | Anthony White | 1976 |
| PZ 33843 | When Love Is New | Billy Paul | 1975 |
| PZ/PZQ 33845 | Philadelphia Freedom | MFSB | 1975 |
| PZ 33957 | All Things in Time | Lou Rawls | 1976 |
| PZ 33958 | Travelin' In Heavy Traffic | Don Covay | 1976 |
| PZ 34079 | Life On Mars | Dexter Wansel | 1976 |
| PZ34122 | Dap 'Sugar' Willie | | |
External links
- SoundOfPhiladelphia.com
- Gamble-Huff Music
- Kenny Gamble interview conducted by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' December 2011
- Leon Huff audio interview, Soulinterviews.com 2012
- Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia, audio documentary on the Philly Sound, January 31, 2009
- Keith Phipps: Philadelphia Soul, avclub.com
- Nate Patrin: Philadelphia International Records, pitchfork.com
- NAMM Oral History Interview with Bobby Martin, March 9, 2011