VA-Didn't I Blow Your Mind-Thom Bell: Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983 [5/31/2024-Kent UK]

[Motown Eddie]

Description from Kent/Ace Records UK:

Thom Bell, along with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, was part of the holy trinity of Philly soul. Reaching an apogee in the early to mid-70s with records for the Delfonics [‘Didn’t I Blow Your Mind This Time’], The Stylistics [‘Betcha By Golly, Wow’], the Detroit Spinners [‘The Rubberband Man’], and Dionne Warwick [‘Then Came You’], Bell was the classically trained arranger who introduced the celeste, the French horn and the harpsichord to soul music.

This is the sequel to “Ready Or Not”, Ace’s first acclaimed compilation of the late Thom Bell’s productions and arrangements. Put together by Saint Etienne’s Bob Stanley, “Didn’t I Blow Your Mind?” combines some of Bell’s biggest and best loved 70s hits with rarities and 80s quiet storm classics such as Deniece Williams’ ‘Silly’ and Phyllis Hyman’s seductive ‘Let Somebody Love You’. Elton John lines up alongside soul legends like Lou Rawls and Eloise Laws.

This collection will appeal to Northern Soul collectors as well as pulling in lovers of smooth 70s and 80s soul. Bob Stanley’s sleeve-notes – with a rare interview with Bell himself – and a wealth of rare photos are icing on the cake.

Bell’s unique and instantly identifiable Philly sound has proved timeless.


1. Didn't I - The Delfonics
2. You Gotta Be A Lady - The Chargers
3. The Rubberband Man - Spinners
4. Got You Into My Life - Eloise Laws
5. You Are Everything - The Stylistics
6. Give In To Love - Ronnie Dyson
7. Nice And Slow - Elton John
8. Take My Hand - New York City
9. Silly - Deneice Williams
10. Then Came You - Dionne Warwick & The Spinners
11. Will You Kiss Me One More Time - Lou Rawls
12. Lazy Susan - Little Anthony & The Imperials
13. Betcha By Golly, Wow - The Stylistics
14. Joe - Nancy Wilson
15. Loving You - Johnny Mathis
16. Walking Around In Teardrops - Jerry Butler
17. Nobody Knows It - Bell & James
18. Let Somebody Love Me - Phyllis Hyman
19. One In A Million [Guy] - Dee Dee Bridgewater
20. Brandy - The O'Jays

[B]Amazon USA
Available for pre-order soon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1RHPQ44/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D1RHPQ44/?tag=imwan-21

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51wpGjGZvXL.jpg

[daviddesper]

Sounds terrific. I hope this will be available as a physical CD. Couldn't tell from that promo.

[daviddesper]

I see now that it will be. Great!

[Philles/Motown Gary]

I really love Thom Bell's Philly Soul productions. Unfortunately [[or fortunately, depending on how you look at it!), I already have all of these tracks in my CD collection. If only they had unearthed something new, fresh, and exciting.