MSFB
The Philadelphia Sound and the names of songsmiths Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff are inseparable, but another important element was their house band, MSFB. The run of hits which emerged through Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International label occurred in the same timespan as Disco, but there was always something about the Philly Sound that set it apart. The mix of Funk, Soul and R&B was allied to classical string arrangements, which along with a hefty does of Jazz, made them sound like movie soundtracks and they brought a whole different aesthetic to the table. By meshing together the different sensibilities, influences and age groups of the M.F.S.B. (in full Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, well that’s the clean version anyway, with the family motif symbolising the inter-generational band) they came up with the magic formula – something with high quality specifications arranged like an orchestra and very classy in construction, but also at the same time with a solid “street” vibe. Above all their concoctions were both very lush and extremely danceable.
The Philadelphia Sound and the names of songsmiths Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff are inseparable, but another important element was their house band, MSFB. The run of hits which emerged through Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International label occurred in the same timespan as Disco, but there was always something about the Philly Sound that set it apart. The mix of Funk, Soul and R&B was allied to classical string arrangements, which along with a hefty does of Jazz, made them sound like movie soundtracks and they brought a whole different aesthetic to the table. By meshing together the different sensibilities, influences and age groups of the M.F.S.B. (in full Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, well that’s the clean version anyway, with the family motif symbolising the inter-generational band) they came up with the magic formula – something with high quality specifications arranged like an orchestra and very classy in construction, but also at the same time with a solid “street” vibe. Above all their concoctions were both very lush and extremely danceable.