Your pal DJ Es here – and I have some important news.
I’m moving out this week. I’m headed back to where I came from. I’m looking forward to full-time employment, no more homework, and even longer bike rides. Living with my parents until I can find a place of my own. Rummaging in the men’s section at Goodwill and finding middle school lacrosse jerseys from the kids who used to make fun of my name. You know, all that good stuff that comes with the next stage of life.
Despite all this hope for the future, it hits me. I’m. Leaving. Philly. My home for the last 5 years. And, since my record collection has quadrupled in size in that timespan, I figured I’d round up a handful of my favorite Philly cuts. Where you live influences what you like, after all….
Panic Buttons – O Wow
First heard on The Philly Sound Get Down – a CD comp put out by Funkadelphia Records. Dug the original 45 at Sit n Spin Records.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R2vqUucFUg&w=1280&h=720]
This is an incredibly LOUD 45. Funky horns and chicken-scratch guitar. Currently getting my saxophone out from under my bed and playing along.
Archie Bell & The Drells – Let’s Groove
Dug at the South Philly Goodwill. On 45. The mono side is better. The same evening, I promptly played it on the WKDU EMM.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDNm_a2fhK8&w=1280&h=720]
The Philly connection: It was recorded at the almighty Sigma Sound, and produced by soul heavyweights McFadden & Whitehead. Also, obviously, came out on TSOP. Before I graduate, maybe I’ll break into the Drexel University Audio Archives and make a dupe of the master tapes…
The Show Stoppers – Eeny Meeny
Got this out of a heaping stack of 45s from a guy named Beau. Cheesy, yes, but ridiculously tight. Like, how did they even do that? How many musicians are even playing?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ–8f3H-Ok&w=1280&h=720]
The Show Stoppers are most famous for Ain’t Nothin’ But A Houseparty – another crackin’ tune. After these singles, The Show Stoppers had a couple things produced by Bollywood disco songsmith Biddu, but unfortunately did not weather the disco era.
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So, for now, Philadelphia, I bid you adieu. I’ll be around, though — you can’t keep me away for too long. As a bonus, I’ll leave you with an incredible artifact of Philly YouTube history:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tliGr3rhMoQ&w=1280&h=720]
The Hy Lit//Jerry Blavat feud was NASTY once upon a time. And we say the Philly DJ bullshit is bad nowadays….just, like, let that settle for a sec.