VA- Love Train -The Sound Of Philadelphia (4 CD, 2008)

Sony/Legacy's 2008 four-disc Love Train: The Ultimate Sound of Philadelphia isn't the first box set assembled on Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff's legendary Philadelphia International Records -- most notably it follows the triple-disc Philly Sound: Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and the Story of Brotherly Love (1966-1976) by just over a decade -- but it is surely the best, covering more ground and painting a fuller picture of the Philly soul sound than any other similar compilation. This is largely due to how Love Train doesn't focus solely on singles released on Philadelphia International: it encompasses sides released on early, pre-PIR imprints like Crimson, Philly Groove, and Gamble but, more importantly, it weaves in outside productions by Gamble & Huff and their crucial partner Thom Bell. Adding all these non-PIR singles greatly expands Love Train, as does the decision to have this set run all the way into 1983, thereby emphasizing how Gamble & Huff's symphonic soul opened the doors for both disco and quiet storm. Part of the set's appeal is that it does offer some education, illustrating how the psychedelicized soul of 1967's "Expressway (To Your Heart)" led to the cool, soft grooves of 1980's "Love T.K.O.," a document of how rich and adventurous '70s soul was thanks to Gamble & Huff and Bell, and all their artists and associates, but this set never drags like a history lesson. It keeps moving from peak to peak, spending the first disc on early triumphs from the Delfonics ("La-La -- Means I Love You," "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind)"), Joe Simon ("Drowning in the Sea of Love"), the O'Jays ("Back Stabbers"), the Spinners ("I'll Be Around"), Billy Paul ("Me and Mrs. Jones") and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes ("If You Don't Know Me by Now"), the songs that established the Philly Sound, then giving way to the glory days documented on the second disc, which opens with the O'Jays' "Love Train" and closes with "T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia)," the singles that helped cement the Philly sound on a broader scale. The third disc finds Gamble & Huff and Bell expanding their lush signature, ushering in disco with singles like Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' "Don't Leave Me This Way," then the fourth disc charts the aftermath through the Spinners' "The Rubberband Man," Lou Rawls' "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mind," and Deniece Williams' "It's Gonna Take a Miracle." Although there are assorted lesser-known singles scattered throughout the box, this is by design hits-heavy, which is how it should be, as this showcases a body of work -- and as this superb set proves, Gamble & Huff's body of work ranks among the strongest popular music of the 20th century.


CD 1
1. Soul Survivors - Expressway (To Your Heart) (2:19)
2. The Delfonics - La-La Means I Love You (3:20)
3. The Intruders - Cowboys To Girls (2:38)
4. Jerry Butler - Hey, Western Union Man (2:39)
5. The Delfonics - Ready Or Not Here I Come (2:00)
6. Jerry Butler - Only The Strong Survive (2:35)
7. The Delfonics - Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) (3:22)
8. Dusty Springfield - Brand New Me (2:25)
9. Wilson Pickett - Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You (2:48)
10. The Ebonys - You're The Reason Why (3:03)
11. Joe Simon - Drowning In The Sea Of Love (3:21)
12. The Stylistics - I'm Stone In Love With You (3:21)
13. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes - I Miss You (8:38)
14. The O'Jays - Back Stabbers (3:06)
15. The O'Jays - Sunshine (3:43)
16. The Spinners - I'll Be Around (3:10)
17. Johnny Williams - Slow Motion (Part 1) (2:58)
18. Billy Paul - Me and Mrs. Jones (4:46)
19. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes - If You Don't Know Me By Now (3:26)
20. The Futures - Love Is Here (4:58)

CD 2
1. The O'Jays - Love Train (2:58)
2. The Stylistics - Break Up To Make Up (3:57)
3. MFSB - Family Affair (4:22)
4. The Ebonys - It's Forever (4:30)
5. The O'Jays - Time To Get Down (2:53)
6. The Manhattans - There's No Me Without You (3:37)
7. The Intruders - I'll Always Love My Mama (6:37)
8. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes - The Love I Lost (6:22)
9. The Intruders - I Wanna Know Your Name (5:49)
10. The Three Degrees - Dirty Ol' Man (3:04)
11. The O'Jays - Put Your Hands Together (4:07)
12. Billy Paul - Thanks For Saving My Life (2:58)
13. The Spinners - Mighty Love (4:56)
14. William DeVaughn - Be Thankful For What You Got (Part 1) (3:24)
15. The O'Jays - For The Love Of Money (7:20)
16. The Trammps - Where Do We Go From Here (3:43)
17. MFSB - T.S.O.P. (5:48)

CD 3
1. The Spinners - Then Came You (3:56)
2. MFSB - Love Is The Message (6:36)
3. The Three Degrees - When Will I See You Again (2:58)
4. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes - Where Are All My Friends (3:20)
5. Bunny Sigler - Picture Us (2:35)
6. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes - Bad Luck (6:28)
7. The O'Jays - Give The People What They Want (4:11)
8. Billy Paul - Billy's Back Home (4:30)
9. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes - Hope That We Can Be Together Soon (3:39)
10. Peoples Choice - Do It Any Way You Wanna (3:15)
11. Peoples Choice - The Big Hurt (3:25)
12. The O'Jays - Let Me Make Love To You (3:38)
13. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes - Wake Up Everybody (7:31)
14. The O'Jays - I Love Music (6:50)
15. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes - Don't Leave Me This Way (6:04)
16. Archie Bell and The Drells - Let's Groove (3:04)
17. The O'Jays - Livin' For The Weekend (6:35)

CD 4
1. The Manhattans - Kiss and Say Goodbye (4:28)
2. Dee Dee Sharp Gamble - I'm Not In Love (5:15)
3. Lou Rawls - You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine (4:26)
4. The Spinners - The Rubberband Man (3:34)
5. The Jacksons - Enjoy Yourself (3:21)
6. Jean Carn - Free Love (4:05)
7. Teddy Pendergrass - I Don't Love You Anymore (3:58)
8. Lou Rawls - See You When I Git There (4:26)
9. The O'Jays - Use Ta Be My Girl (4:01)
10. Teddy Pendergrass - Close The Door (5:26)
11. McFadden and Whitehead - Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now (7:01)
12. The Jones Girls - You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else (4:31)
13. The Stylistics - Hurry Up This Way Again (3:35)
14. Teddy Pendergrass - Love T.K.O. (5:00)
15. Leon Huff - I Ain't Jivin', I'm Jammin' (5:55)
16. Deniece Williams - It's Gonna Take A Miracle (4:11)
17. Patti LaBelle - If Only You Knew (4:45)