Philly Re-Grooved 3: More from the Master

A worthy companion to the epic Tom Moulton Box, a remixing achievement of the highest order - played today, in 2014, it blows as strong as any dance or electronic music made today, yet this is from the 70s time machine. The Sons of Robin Stone remix is full of great pop touches, beautiful dynamics - it should burn through headsets and dancefloors across the world as one of the great songs of the year. The William DeVaughn extended remix does justice to the finest song of the 70s, giving it great space and depth, and the Jack in the Box remix is pure pop fun. The Spinners and New York City tracks are well done also - try not to marvel at the great textures and pacing and touches the master brings here - a great service to the world of music from Harmless.

'The Master" is no hype when referring to Moulton and his mixing talents. The confidence level had to be high with all involved in wanting to release a 2 CD set and it shows. But I lean towards the lesser known songs such as the 2 tracks by Bettye Swann which are just beauties along with The Modulations and Sons of Robin Stone & The Ebonys! 'Soul Recession' by Double Exposure is sweet too to name a few. I'm not hyped on the very well know ones (Ex; Spinners) but that does not take away from the quality of the mixes. Still happy I purchased it since we're talking and listening to history here. Thanks to Moulton, Whitelaw, Dewhirst and Anderson for making it happen.

These songs are magic to the body and soul. Such happy and life giving sounds to heal the mind. Too bad these tunes are no longer broadcast on pop radio or made today. This music is essential for making life joyful, hopeful and fulfilling. The talent and effort that went into each production was masterful. Such exquisite work focused on full spectrum orchestral bliss. No wonder the 70's were known as the smiley face decade. You just can't help but feel good after listening to these tracks. Anyone who does not agree, does not like clean joyous music and probably has evil in their hearts. If you can't play your music in church? Then it is not music. This is!

Between the songs selected and the mixes that Tom has done, this CD is stellar on all levels. The sound is up front and clear, the mixing impeccable and the song selection is top choice. Having purchased the last two volumes, I must say this is my fav so far ... and very happy with the purchase. Arrived in a timely manner and kudos to Amazon for keeping me abreast of delivery, as they were having issues "finding it". Being from Philadelphia and raised on this music as a child (my mom loved soul/pop music and had it playing all the time in the car and the house) - this CD brings back some very fond memories of Philly in the 60's and 70's.

this 3rd issue of the Phili regrooved, is better than the other 2. this guy gets better every time. also, is a double disc, his mixes are amazing, no matter the song he mixes. in this volume, there's a lot of bongo sound, but you listen to it & decide. to me is really really good & I recommend it to any disco fan

Great mixes and good sound, however for me I do not like the song choices for the mixes. I only like three songs on the entire album, purchased this collection because I remember all the great sounds of the 1970's on my boombox at the beach! Better to have purchased the MP3 format of the songs I liked from this collection. This is a good example of the sounds of the late 1970's

AS IF 1 BAD TRACK BY NEWYORK CITY WASN'T GOOD ENUF TOM HAD TO SPOIL IT WITH 2 & BONUS TRACKS NO GREAT SHAKES. TRACKS BY LOOSE CHANGE & DAVID MORRIS SUCK.I DON'T KNOW WHERE DEREK ANDERSON GOT HIS INFO FOR HIS LINER NOTES BUT HE LEADS READERS TO BELIEVE TOM INVENTED THE 12" SINGLE WHEN IT WAS USED AS EARLY AS LATE 1950'S IN JAMAICA.

Awesome Old School Philly Sound with a modern remix !!!!!!! Cannot stop playing it, wish it was on MP3 !!!

Well, when I thought nothing can top the BEST CD Tom Moulton ever did (Philadelphia Classics Box Set), Harmless Records comes out with one that is just as good!!!!Philly ReGrooved 3 surprises on several fronts......First of all, the Philly ReGrooved Series mainly comprised of tracks from PHILLY GROOVE Records; a company owned by Stan "The Man" Watson. It wasn't a major record company, but it did have it's hits....Groups like First Choice, Sound Experience, Quickest Way Out, Finishing Touch and others had great soul & dance hits in the early to mid-70's on Stan's label. Tom has remixed them and made them into standards....But this NEW entry in the Philly ReGrooved Series branches out......It has delved into MAJOR territory, pulling tracks from Atlantic, Atco, Buddah, Chelsea, and even one from Defected Records......All having The Smooth Sound Of Philadelphia!!!This CD has million selling hits, Disco Classics, and underground 'Hard-To-Find' tracks all mixed superbly by Tom Moulton!Represented here are The Spinners with "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love" and "One Of A Kind (Love Affair)"-----2 of their biggest hits, Produced by Thom Bell. Tom extends these 2 very careful not to lose the integrity of the originals. The quality & clarity on each note of these tracks are magnificent; and if you are a fan of these 2 tracks, you will be amazed!!!Thom Bell is also represented by 2 more tracks with one of his lesser known artists: New York City. They only had 1 album in 1974 yielding one smash hit, "I'm Doing Fine", which Tom mixed and extended into a full 8 minute+ Disco Hustle Opus. Tom also chose a track from their LP called "Quick Fast In A Hurry" which he sped up a little and gave it the energy & soul it needed.Talk about HITS.....Included in this set is The Trammps' "Hold Back The Night" in a brand new mix, new break, CLARITY in the vocals especially Jimmy Ellis...MAAAAANNNN!!!And a masterpiece that everyone will love--->William DeVaughn's "Be Thankful For What You've Got".....Tom accents Norman Harris' guitar and Vince Montana Jr.'s vibe solo...the track ends up at 9 minutes+...a real Soul Classic!!!!!Several tracks are from the unknown and hard to find category:For the first time on CD is a Norman Harris produced track by The Ebonys."Making Love Just Ain't No Fun" was a 1976 Buddah Records single that slipped thru the cracks back then, but grew in stature throughout the years. The Dynamic TSOP rhythm section of Baker-Harris-Young and the lush backdrop of the MFSB Strings & Horns WOW!!!!Bettye Swan also gets the Tom Moulton Remix treatment with 2 tracks: "When The Game Is Played On You" & "Kiss My Love Goodbye" - These 2 are destined to be played at all the UK SoulBoy's Soul Weekenders for years to come.....Only available on an Out Of Print Atlantic Compilation...these tracks have been extended TWICE as long...and mixed to make it sound THICKER....these will be played like NEW songs....Bettye has never sounded as spunky!!!!!!David Morris Jr.'s "Jack In The Box" was another overlooked (not by me) Buddah single that Tom has now transformed into a lush Philly Sound Stormer....the long instrumental pass in the middle takes you on a journey!!! Now for the Disco Hits: [Tom's Specialty]:Melba Moore's "Standing Right Here" has been played since 1978 in the sparce Richie Rivera 12" Version.....NOW Tom has transformed it into a SOUL record....putting back all the orchestration that McFadden & Whitehead originally had...PLUS a killer break.....This is another one that the UK Soul Boys will treasure!!!!Son's Of Robin Stone's "Got To Get You Back" has been a Disco staple for years...the original 45 was 3 mins....Tom has now made it almost 6 minutes BUT has made the sound so THICK & DYNAMIC it sounds like you are hearing it LIVE!!!The Modulations' "I Can't Fight Your Love" was yet another 1974 Buddah 45 that was only available now on an out of print Japanese CD [if you can find it]....Now Tom has doubled the length and doubled the dynamics...You can hear ALL of the instruments so clear and the Vince Montana Jr. arrangement on here is a dancer's dream!!!Loose Change's "Babe" has been really transformed here....Tom simplified the original arrangement, and has everything sounding clear as a bell....Part of "The Saint's" Morning Music scene, this will get some 'new' play from those that missed it back then!Philly Devotions' "I Just Can't Say Goodbye" FINALLY gets a long version.....Back in 1975, Tom had made a 3 minute vocal/instrumental 45 for the DJs to make their own mixes....Now he puts it all together himself, with Extra Dynamics....I never heard Norman Harris' guitar in the original....the backround vocals sound so clear as well.Blue Magic's "Look Me Up" a Disco Staple for years gets the Moulton Anthem Treatment.....Remixed and Extended with a NEW Break..it is now 10 minutes...if you don't dance, guaranteed your body will be movin' & squirming as you feel this track sounding brand new!!!!BONUS TRACKS:They are called Bonus Tracks because they were the last tracks added to the set and are fairly recent compared to the 1970s time frame of the other songs.Double Exposure's "Soul Recession", a Bobby Eli / Carl Dixon track just got GRITTY!!!Even though it was recorded sometime in 2008-2009, it now sounds like it could have been from Double Exposure's 1976 Salsoul Debut LP!!! Sounding way better than the original release, Tom broke it down to a Funky Soul Jam session...and Jimmy Williams' vocal just sounds great!!!Ron Hall & The Muthafunkers' "The Way You Love Me" was a UK SoulBoy staple in 2004; Now remixed again by Tom with added instrumentation by Philly Legend John Usry, this will be a hit once again....the Vince Montana vibe solo just cooks!!!!!It's hard for me to pick a favorite, since ALL the tracks are just so good----and it has tracks for different kinds of moods and situations---I just LOVE The Philly Sound and how Tom makes a track both dancable AND something to listen & groove to....THANK YOU TOM......HOPE YOU NEVER STOP MIXING!!!!!!

After having this wonderful album for a month or so now (and hearing some previews some months prior to that) .. i thought it was long overdue i post my review and thoughtsIf i detailed every track i could go on for pages and pages , so i'm gonna review one track as a tasterWhen i heard a while ago that Bettye Swann's - When The Game Is Played On You was going to get the Tom Moulton treatment , i almost fell to the floor , as a long time soul fan and collector with many thousands of soul and disco tracks this has been in my top ten songs of all time ... I was introduced to Bettye Swann by Mark 'Snowboy' Cotgrove some 20 odd years ago with the duet she did with Sam Dees , just as sure.When The Game Is Played On You is one of those songs that you never want to end , so on hearing the news of Tom's work on this track i listened to it again imagining what he was gonna do. Despite my love for this record i've always felt it needed cleaning up the mastering was always a little off and out of balance. I was excited to hear that the 3 min 8 sec original was being turned into a 10 and a half min opus.Before listening to Tom's mix of this track , its perhaps important to understand whats its about ... quite simply , its a "F you" song .. after a break up , the man come back to the wronged woman in tears after getting the same treatment from the woman he ran off with , hence "When The Game Is Played On You"So , onto the review.Straight away the opening drum sound is so much clearer , and the intro is extended from 21 seconds to 1min 35 secs. This give much more time to set the mood before the vocals. The incredible use of the looped swirling harp against much lusher strings and fuller, richer rhythm tracks ... the balance is perfect !!! .. then the intro settles down a little and the keyboard and guitar sounds punctured by horns and vibes take to song into steady build before the vocals.Bettye's vocals ... WOW ... just the way some tracks drop away and voice is promoted keeping the music just at the right level , the vibes are so great tucked away in there (something different from the original) .. really good to hear the response backing vocal getting the recognition it deserves. As the vocals build line by line as does the intensity of emotion in delivery , Tom's mastery is beautifully displayed as the interplay between tracks is a delight, building to a post vocal crescendo at 3:30. The 4min instrumental mid section is something out of my dreams , something i really hoped i hear when i heard of Tom mixing this track .. and boy does he deliver. Followed by the rest of the vocals and the closing instrumental section this completes what is now (in my humble opinion) one of Tom's greatest mixes ...This truly a MAGNIFICENT album ... every note , every word , every track have been delivered with such care and vision ... and perhaps most important of all ... with such love.Tom Moulton is a music fan , he creates his vision of how a song needs to be heard in his opinion , we are so lucky his opinion is what we love so much.THANKS TOM ... KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON

Der Erfinder der Remixes und der 12" Single, Tom Moulton, hat den melodiösen Philly-Soul in bisher ungeahnte Längen remixed. Hierbei wurden nur die Originalbänder verwendet. Keine zusätzlichen Drums, Bases, Percussion oder sonstige Soundeffekte.Herrliche leichte Soulmusik im Stil des Phillysounds, Pure Gute-Laune-Musik. Wer diesen Sound mag, vielleicht auch die eine oder andere Compilation anläßlich des 40sten Geburtstages von Philadelphia International Records (Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff) erstanden hat: The 40th Anniversary Box Set, Philly ReGrooved 1 und 2, Philadelphia International Classics: The Tom Moulton Remixes, Philadelphia International: The Re-Edits, Get Down With The Philly Sound-Dimitri from Paris, kommt an dieser CD-Reihe nicht vorbei.Gerade Ende der 60er, Anfang der 70er hatte die Soulmusik in den USA einen Tiefpunkt erreicht und war in keinster Weise mehr populär. Kenneth Gamble und Leon Huff erfanden, wie z. B. auch Barry White mit seinem "Soft-Soul", einen neuen Sound: TSOP - The Sound Of Philadelphia.Kenneth Gamble und Leon Huff gründeten zudem ihr eigenes Plattenlabel: "Philadelphia International Records", unter dem ihre Musik erschien.Auch außerhalb der "Philadelphia International Familie" wurde Phillysound produziert. Einen Einblick hierzu gibt die Reihe "The Spirit Of Philadelphia: Vol. 1 - 3", die ich ebenfalls wärmstens empfehlen kann.Phillysound ist sehr melodiös, gekennzeichnet durch das Zusammenspiel der Streicher mit dem unverwechselbaren Orgelsound (heute würde man sagen Keyboard-)kombiniert mit dem hellen Klang der Leadgitarre(n). Das Saxophon spielt ebenfalls eine bedeutende Rolle bei den Arrangements. Es ist eine softere Unterart der Soulmusik. Im Vergleich hierzu ist Motown z. B. grooviger.Für mich ist Phillysoul so etwas wie "Gute-Laune-Musik". Und diese Musik hebt sich so wunderbar vom heutigen Pop-, Soul/R&B-Einheitsbrei ab. Bitte noch viel mehr davon!

This is the album that some of us have been waiting all of our lives to be released. Is that a bit strong? Well the answer is NO. If you are a fan of the early Philly sound you will absolutely adore this release, and I am not exaggerating. The Detroit Spinners open the first CD with probably my fave track of all time 'Could It Be I'm Falling In Love', it has been re-mixed brilliantly staying faithful to the original song. The other Spinners track 'One Of A Kind (Love Affair)' (CD 2 Track 2 is also brilliant). 'I'm Doing Fine Now' (CD1 Track2) is also amazing. More stunning tracks follow from Blue Magic, Philly Devotions. If you are a fan of this genre of music you can't fail to be in heaven listening to this. An absolutely stunning release.BUY IT

18 masterful mixes of Philly Soul masterpieces by the master himself - what more could you ask for? There are big chart hits "I'm Doing Fine Now", "Hold Back The Night", lesser known gems and a couple of excellent new bonus tracks from Marc Evans and Double Exposure. Northern/Modern Soul fans will be delighted by the inclusion of the Bettye Swann and Ebonys' material.Tom Moulton's great trick is for bringing out all the separate melodic elements in a mix. Listen to the guitar break in "Hold Back The Night" for a good example. The sound quality is excellent on this release too. The earlier releases suffered from the "Loudness Wars" disease, but this time all the tracks have a decent dynamic range.In conclusion - don't miss out on this one!