Philly Cream - s/t

Name: Philly Cream
Album: s/t
Year: 1979
Style: Disco, Funk, Soul
Similar Bands: Village People, Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor
"One-Word" Review: Studio Disco
Based Out Of: Philly
Label: Fantasy WMOT (We Men of Talent) Records

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Philly Cream (1979)

1. Sly-Hi 7:11 (Sly Stone medley) (Single)
2. Motown Review 5:25 (Single)
3. Doin' It to Death 6:00 (James Brow Cover)/
4. Jammin' At the Disco 6:45 (Single)
5. Soul Man 4:13 (Sam & Dave cover) 
6. Join the Army 4:42 (Single B-Side)

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Alan Rubens - Exec Producer
• Steve Bernstein - Exec Producer
• Len Barry - Producer,  Lead Vox (WMOT All Stars, Slick, Dovells)
• Bruce Gable - Exec Producer
• Larry James - Producer, Drums, Congas, Percussion, Lead Vox (WMOT All Stars, Fat Larry Band, Slick, Blue Magic, Damon Harris, Sweet Thunder, Archie Bell, Frankie Smith, Major Harris Arthur Prysock)
• Bob Pantano - Asst producer, Creative Force
• Pete DeAngelis - Arrangement
• Butch Ingram - Producer. Arrangement, Bass (Ingram, Slick, Intruders, Stylistics, Ronnie Dyson, Sandy Mercer, Sassafras, Sweet Thunder, Dinosaur L, Galaxxy, Barbara Mason, Odyssey, Loose Joints)
• Jimmy Ingram - Keys, Synth (Ingram, Slick, Stylistics, Galaxxy, Ronnie Dyson, Blue Magic, Barbara Mason, The Moments, Sassafras, David Simmons, Sweet Thunder, Beck Family, Twilight, Dinosaur L, Kevin Anderson, Loose Joints)
• Bud Ellison - Keys (The Champions, Patti Labelle, Damon Harris, Slick)
• Ronnie James - Guitar (Slick, Mike Pedicin Jr, Salsoul Orch, Ice, Louis Prima, Nemo, Yvonne Gray, Archie Bell & Drells, Evelyn Champagne King, Charto, Michele, Barbara Mason, Bunny Sigler, Ray Simpson, Arthur Prysock, Montana, Stanley Turrentine, Karen Cheryl, Montana, Bonnie Boyer, Fania All Stars, Prince Phillip Mitchell, Jones Girls, Flower, John Davis & The Monster Orch, Rory Block, George Bussey Experience, Kat Mandu, Mizz, Strange Affair, Richie Rome, Sal Barbieri, Ultimate, Voggue, Montana Sextet, Karen Young, Tangerue, Nuyorican Soul, Nino Ferrer, Cornell Dupree)
• Billy Ingram - Guitar (Ingram, Slick, Galaxxy, Blue Magic, Barbara Mason, Sassafras, FLB, Dinoasur L, Loose Joints)
• Ronnie Smith - Guitar (Boney Fields & the Bones Project, Maze, Frankie Beverly, Rhythm Logic, Bernard Allison, George Thorogood, Funkiss, Slick, Patti Labelle, Wrabit, George Howard, Tiggi Clay, Don-D, Enemy Squad, Bones Project, Chelsea, Darin Talbot, Lige Curry, Paul Taylor, Steve Boyd, Wavelength, Anna Maria Flechero)
• Rudy Alexander - Bass (Sweet Thunder) 
• Michael Forman - Bass (John Davis & The Monster Orch, MFSB, Salsoul Orch, Dee Dee Sharp, Revelation, Blue Magic, Whispers, Liz Dargan & Gospelettes, Eddie Kendricks, Impact, Arthur Prysock, First Choice, Don Covay, Trammps, Touch of Class, Persuaders, Jimmy Briscoe & the Beaver, Benny Golson, Eli's Second Coming, Tymes, Billy Paul, Phyllis Hyman, Harold Melvin & Blue Notes, Keith Barrow, Archie Bell & Drells, Lou Rawls, Dells, Temptations, Lifestyle, Charo, Joneses, O'Jays, Pegasus, The Jacksons, Teddy Pendergrass, Stylistics, The Futures, Jean Carn, Colleen Heather, East Coast, OC Smith, Vaughan Mason, Major Harris, Philly Groove Orch, Montana)
• Larry LaBes - Bass (Fat Larry Band, Blue Magic, Impact, Damon Harris, Carol Lloyd, Slick, Ultimate, Major Harris, Frankie Smith, Ultimate)
• Jimmy Wilson - Bass
• Jerry Jones - Drums (Brenda & The Tabulations, Automatix, The Dramtics, Impact, Blue Magic, Jeannie Reynolds, Johnnie Taylor, Michael Henderson, Keith Barrow, Ruby Andrews, Wilson Williams, Livin' Proof, Dennis Coffey Band, Detroit Emeralds, Dee Edwards, Five Special, Spinners, Hott City, David Ruffin, Mike Theodore Orch, Carlis Munro, Ronn matlock, Brides of Funkenstein, Enchantment, Rance Allen, Sweat Band, Philippe Wynne, Bootsy, Was (Not Was), LJ Reynolds, Donna Washington, Temptations, Sweet Pea Atkinson, George Clinton, P-Funk Allstars, Ron Banks, Carol Anderson, David Dee, Barret Strong, Ronnie McNeir, Marlena Shaw)
• John Ingram - Drums (Ingram, Slick, MFSB, Champions, David Simmons, Stylistics, Patti Labelle, blue Magic, Ronnie Dyson, Barbara Mason, DeJuanna, Funk Bros, Ben Harper, Softones, Karen Cheyl, Sassafras, Sandy Mercer, Prince Phillip Mitchell, Beck Family, Strange Affair, Dinosaur L, Galaxxy, Tangerue,Loose Joint)
• Keith Benson - Drums (MFSB, Funk Bros, Impact, Teddy Pendergrass, Melba Moore, Archie Bell & Drells, Michele, Temptations, First Choice, Barbara Mason, David Christie, Double Exposure, Joe Simon, Tom N Jerry's Rockets, CJ & Co, Four Tops, Montana, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Henderson, Love Committee, Grace Jones, Salsoul Orch, Robert Palmer, MC Lane Explosion, Charo, Kebekeleltrik, Jean Carn, Michael Pedicin, Billy Paul, Jackie Moore, Loose Change, McFadden & Whitehead, Rory Block, Trammps, TJM, Edgar Winter, Dee Dee Sharp Gamble, Patryce Choc'let Banks, Loleatta Holloway, Swamp Dogg, Ira Watson, Joey Negro)
• Larry Jones - Syndrum (Bobby Boyd Congress, ice, Lafayette Afro Rock Band, Napoleon Jones, Nino Ferrer, Bad Child, Michele, Leroy Gomez, Chantal Curtis, Otis Rush, Crispy & Co)
• Timmy Ingram - Congas, Percussion (Ingram, Slick, Barbara Mason, Sandy Mercer, Softones, David Simmons, Sweet Thunder, Beck Family, Stylistics, Dinosaur L, Galaxxy, Loose Joints)
• Robert Changor - Congas, Percussion (Impact)
• Miguel Fuentez - Congas, Percussion (Damon Harris, Dexter Wansel, Tangerue, Patti Labelle, Ultimate, Freddie James, France Joli, UN, Flower, Nightlife Unlimited, Phil Hurtt, Jones Girls, Strange Affair, Jerry Butler, Stylistics, Plastic Surprise, Geraldine Hunt, Leon Huff, Kat Mandu, African Suite, MFSB, Michael Henderson, Slick, Keni Burke, Hi-Gloss, Norwood B, Peter Allen, Haze Greenfield, Willie Williams, Grover Washington JR, Kantuta, Emma Paki, Teremoana Rapley, Nathan Haines, Jaz Coleman & NZ String Quarter, Wentworth-Brewster, Mark De Clive, King Britt, Gianmarco Liguori, Whirimako Black, Sola Rosa, Kim Paterson, Kevin Field)
• Larry Washington - Congas, Percussion (Anglo Saxon brown, Black Light Orch, Eddie Drennon & The BBS, Unlimited, John Davis & The Monster Orch, MFSB, Salsoul Orch, more)
• Terrence Floyd - Congas, Percussion (FLB, Shalamar, Evelyn Champagne King, Tavares, Krysto., Rockie Robbins, Dynasty, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Glenn Jones, 
• Sweet Thunder (band) - Lead Vox (WMOT All Stars)
• FLB (band) - Lead Vox (WMOT All Stars)
• David Simmons - Lead Vox (WMOT All Stars, Neo Experience, John Minnis Big Bone Band, Sister Sledge, Damaris, Scott Bradlee & Postmodern Jukebox)
• Damon Harris - Lead Vox (WMOT All Stars, Impact, Temptations, Young Vandals, Rose Royce)
• Breeze / Brandi Wells - Lead Vox (WMOT All Stars, FLB, Slick, Stroke)
• Mike Pedicin Jr - Sax Solos (Salsoul Orch, Charo, Sweet Thunder, Arthur Prysock, Asha, Karen Young, Montana, Loose Change, FLB, Geraldine Hunt, OC Smith, Jerry Butler, Sal Barbieri & Royal Co, Dee Dee Sharp Gamble, Patti Labelle, Spyyce, Ed Vezinho, Jim Ward, Funk Bros, Cintron)
• Don Renaldo - Strings, Horns (MFSB, Gamble & Huff, Salsoul Orch, Don Renaldo, John David & Monster Orch, Delphonics, Barbara Mason, Stylistics, Billy Paul, Grady Tate, Charles Mann, Spinners, First Choice, Manhattans, Dick Jensen, Ecstacy Passion & Pain, Persuaders, William DeVaughn, Major Harris, BB King, Modulations, Blue Magic, Gwen & Bruce, Eddie Kendricks, Universe City, Loleatta Holloway, Double Exposure, Arthur Prysock, Carol Williams, Ritchie Family, Eddie Drennon & BSS Unlimited, Chi-Lites, Johnny Mathis, Harold Melvin & Blue Notes, Lou Rawls, Archie Bell & Drells, Grace Jones, Charo, Eddie Holman, Matropolis, Ellen Mcllwaine, Gary Criss, Jerry Butler, Montana, Dexter Wansel, Silver Convention, Trammps, Karen Young, Love Committee, Futures, Gabriel, Ruth Waters, Jean Carn, Jones Girls, Bonnie Boyer, Cindy & Roy, Jackie Moore, CHuck Brown & Soul Searchers, McFadden & Whitehead, Fania All Atars, Strange Affair, OC Smith, Mizz, Sal Barbieri & the Royal Co, Kat Mandu, Dee Dee Sharp Gamble, Deniece Williams, Cashmere, Flower, Three Degrees, Laura Nyro, O'Jays)
• Gene Leone - Engineer
• Fred Galletti - Engingeer
• Frank Bernardini - Asst Engineer
• Jerry Williamson - Asst Engineer
• Michael Bonghi - Asst Engineer
• Al Albertini - Asst Engineer
• Phil Carroll - Art Direction
• Dennis Gassner- Design
• Phil Bray - Photography

Unknown-ness: The album has a generic cover, but the back photo of the ensemble is more telling. Just knowing a little about Philly's music history and the date of this album, I assume it is going to be well-studied disco, almost a supergroup of talented musicians brought together to show off their talents together.

Album Review: So this is a combo of two groups, so a disco supergroup would be accurate: Ingram (a family band) and Fat Larry's Band (previously reviewed). There are a lot of layers to these songs, and minute extentions to related generes aside from disco...they tap into Funk with a James Brown cover and a Sly Stone medly. And R&B Soul with their cover of Soul Man- and that's half the album right there. Motown Review is a time capsule of changing times of the mid to late 70's, a little embarrassing at times with it's specific recollections (swapping Jeans for Dungarees), but it is a fun, good song down to its melodic core. Join the Army is a silly disco advert for the army, complete with marching drum beat and shouty section as if a major is commanding the listener to enlist. There is not a lot of easily found info about the band, mostly because of the name's poor SEO quality (Philadelphia Cream Cheese, and Cream playing Philly seem to populate more often). 

Stand Out Track: Motown Review

Links:

Youtube Full Album
WMOT Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

mentioned on Ingram's Soulwalking page

Slick bio

Fat Larry's Band - Spacin Out

Name: FLB (Fat Larry's Band)

Album: Spacin Out

Year: 1978

Style: R&B, Soul, Funk, Disco

Similar Bands: Delfonics, Commodors, Bootsy Collins, Parliament Funkadelic, Kool & the Gang, Harold Melvin & Blue Notes

One Word Review: Charming Space Funk

Based Out Of: Philadelphia, PA

Labels: Fantasy Records, WMOT records

 Spacin Out - Cover & Record

Spacin Out - Back & Record

Spacin Out (1978)

1. Close Encounters of a Funky Kind 4:22
2. Countryside 4:18
3. Space Lady 4:41
4. Boogie Town 5:52 /
5. Good Time 3:25
6. We Just Can't Get It Together 6:00
7. Love Alive 4:50
8. Starstruck 3:26

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:
Fat Larry James - Drummer, Producer, Conductor, Arranger (Larry James Band, Delfonics, Blue Magic, Damon Harris, Slick, Philly Cream, )
Art Capehart - Trumpet, Flute (Kent Gomez, Sweet Thunder, Blue Magic, Kool & The Gang)
Jimmy Lee - Trombone, Sax (Sweet Thunder)
Doug Jones Sax (Sweet Thunder, Carol Hahn)
Erskine Williams - Keys (Rick James, Melanie, Blue Magic, Damon Harris, Stone City Band, Temptations)
Ted Cohen - Guitar (Blue Magic, Damon Harris, Slick)
Larry LaBes - Bass (Blue Magic, Damon Harris, Slick, Philly Cream, Impact, Ultimate, )
Darryl Grant - Percussion
Alan Rubens - Exec Producer
Steve Bernstein - Exec Producer

Unknown-ness: Never heard of FLB. I assume it is a standard funky R&B act, and since it is dated 1978, that would make sense. Its interesting to see their take on the intergalactic style of music, probably matching style to Capt Sky and another album I have yet to review, Lenny White. Maybe a little like Parliament Funkadelic, but probably smoother and less challenging.

Album Review: Started in Philly by drummer “Fat” Larry James, this group came together and released 9 albums in 10 years between 76-86. They were bigger in the UK than the states, having 5 charting hits. At 38 years old, James had a fatal heart attack (Dec 87), and the group disbanded. This album, combined with the titles like Close Encounters and Space Lady, has a sort of Space Disco theme, which was a thing thanks to the combination of Star Wars & the era of disco. A majority of these songs were written with Larry’s Wife, Doris

“Close Encounters of a Funky Kind” begins with space noises and synth effects, which continue throughout the song, but the funky bass line and brass section create a fun groove, which is also quite silly lyrically. The chorus is just that; a harmonized chorus of vocals, and is quite catchy. They whole vibe puts the listener in a much more New Orleans mood than Philly. Not that anyone else should care or agree, but the piano reminds me of the 90’s band EMF.
“Countryside” is a slower, mellow R&B slice of butter that has more in common with male vocal groups like Smokey & the Miracles and Harold Melvin than any disco, even though there are some swirling strings, and punctuating brass. This has more laid back groove than Fresh Prince’s Summertime.  The lead vocals are higher pitch (and can hold notes for a long time), while a deeper set of vocals supports in call-back.

“Space Lady” was the b-side to the “Boogie Town” single. And is pure disco, with weird space vocal distortions (can hardly understand when they sing space lady) and a bubbling, rubber band bouncing bass effects. The song advances into a continually driving harmonized disco, with all of the stereotypical affects.

“Boogie Town” was a single. It starts with a drum beat, and is quickly added to with a funky zig zagging synth hook, and brass. The first vocals are distorted through a robotic effect, and then shuffling chorus adds to the disco groove. A different robotic vocal effect; a slowed down, digitized, auto-tune-like effect,  

 assists the next “verse” and all future verses. The jungle bongos feel very prevalent in the mixing. The song feels like a generic song someone would try to make today to capture and mimic the era of disco. I could hear Chromeo doing this.

“Good Time” begins with a simple guitar hook, and has other slight effects added behind. Then the strings are added, and an upbeat, care free disco jam begins to take hold. Assisted by trumpets and ringing guitars, the song continues to use the boogie theme to have a good time. This is like a more laid back version of Kool & The Gang’s “Celebrate.”

“We Just Can't Get It Together” starts with a twinkling piano intro. It builds into a swaying sorrowful slow song. Beginning vocals are deep, speaking directly to the listener. The vocals jump up in pitch, and sing an explanation of why the lovers can’t work out their differences, with the help of a chorus bringing up the background. Flute flutterings also bring in the sentimental vibe as a peace offering to work things out.

“Love Alive” is a cover of a Gary Wright song from 1975. It starts with swirling synth, and gets a little funky with call and response trumpet to keys. It takes the original song and speads it up, ads a little Detroit soul to an already soulful song, and adds some extra funk. The structure is basic, with verse leading to catchy chorus. The song, although able to, does not get out of control with the instrumentation, and instead keeps a tight reigned in melody that is enjoyable, down to the trumpets interpreting the vocal melody for a section. The song gets a little jammy- in a good way- with about a minute and a half to go.

“Starstruck” is a folksy, guitar picking song at first, but transfers to shuffling disco melody with horns and bass leading the way. Female vocals lay the groundwork for the melody and chorus. The verse is just a pleasant, good natured and upbeat male vocals having a good time. Squeaky synth leads the track out, and the female chorus singing Starstuck fades away.

Stand Out Track: Love Alive

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