jsmith
07-22-2016, 03:12 PM
Anyone here know much about the Philly based Bry-Wek set-up. The organisation's main act was the Philly Devotions and 2 x 45s by the group actually escaped on the Bry-Wek label [["Didn't Anyone Ever Tell You" + "I'll Never Colour You a Rainbow"). They undertook their sessions at Sigma Sound.
Then in 74, Leon Lee was signed to the set-up & John Davis cut him on "He Was A Man". This 2 part track was also cut at Sigma Sound but the subsequent 45 escaped on Ray Charles' Crossover Records. This track has a Norman Whitfield / psychedelic soul feel to it [[ala a early 70's Temptations track). It did very little at the time but the Crossover label was changing distributors back then & this probably killed the 45's chances.
The Philly Devotions made a return at about the same time with their new cuts initially coming out on Don De before being leased to Columbia Records late in 74 [[who also released the 45 in Canada, the UK, Japan, Germany & Spain).
This international release [["I Just Can't Say Goodbye") being remixed by Tom Moulton for release.
The Philly Devotions had 4 more releases on Columbia, many escaping outside the US as well. John Davis was involved to start with but by 1976 [[after he had cut them on the old song "Hurt So Bad"), he dropped by the wayside and a new team took on their studio sessions [[Bert DeCoteaux, etc.). However "Hurt So Bad" proved to be their last hit and their last release came shortly afterwards.
It's said that the 1st ever US 12" single release was a Columbia Philly Devotions track, is this true ??
Who owned / ran Bry-Wek ??
Who was Leon Lee and did he cut anything else ??
What happened to the Philly Devotions after 1976 ?
John Davis worked with many good acts; Intruders, William DeVaughn, Touch of Class, Arthur Prysock [[who he also cut on "Hurt So Bad", Phyllis Hyman, Brenda & Tabulations, Impact, Doris Troy, Carol Douglas, Ruth Waters, Collins & Collins + he had his own Monster Orchestra.
Arthut Prysock's "All I Need Is You Tonight" [[76) saw some action on the UK MS scene.
After 76, many of John Davis's cuts were very disco influenced and this is probably why he stopped working with the Philly Devotions.
BUT anyone know more on these matters ??
Then in 74, Leon Lee was signed to the set-up & John Davis cut him on "He Was A Man". This 2 part track was also cut at Sigma Sound but the subsequent 45 escaped on Ray Charles' Crossover Records. This track has a Norman Whitfield / psychedelic soul feel to it [[ala a early 70's Temptations track). It did very little at the time but the Crossover label was changing distributors back then & this probably killed the 45's chances.
The Philly Devotions made a return at about the same time with their new cuts initially coming out on Don De before being leased to Columbia Records late in 74 [[who also released the 45 in Canada, the UK, Japan, Germany & Spain).
This international release [["I Just Can't Say Goodbye") being remixed by Tom Moulton for release.
The Philly Devotions had 4 more releases on Columbia, many escaping outside the US as well. John Davis was involved to start with but by 1976 [[after he had cut them on the old song "Hurt So Bad"), he dropped by the wayside and a new team took on their studio sessions [[Bert DeCoteaux, etc.). However "Hurt So Bad" proved to be their last hit and their last release came shortly afterwards.
It's said that the 1st ever US 12" single release was a Columbia Philly Devotions track, is this true ??
Who owned / ran Bry-Wek ??
Who was Leon Lee and did he cut anything else ??
What happened to the Philly Devotions after 1976 ?
John Davis worked with many good acts; Intruders, William DeVaughn, Touch of Class, Arthur Prysock [[who he also cut on "Hurt So Bad", Phyllis Hyman, Brenda & Tabulations, Impact, Doris Troy, Carol Douglas, Ruth Waters, Collins & Collins + he had his own Monster Orchestra.
Arthut Prysock's "All I Need Is You Tonight" [[76) saw some action on the UK MS scene.
After 76, many of John Davis's cuts were very disco influenced and this is probably why he stopped working with the Philly Devotions.
BUT anyone know more on these matters ??