Philadelphia Freedom

The initial 'Back Beats' series extended over ten issues, with the promise that further volumes might follow. This release is part of the promised second batch, being Volume 15 in the series "conceived and compiled with love by Ian Dewhirst". The stated aim of the collection remains the same, to "entertain and educate" whilst bringing "some of the best music in the world from some of the greatest independent labels over the past 50 years..(using)...only the full 12" or album versions". This is a sentiment previously expressed by Dewhirst in his previous role as conceiver and compiler of the 'Original Mastercuts' collection - a series that provided a musical education in quality black music. Since the demise of the 'Original Series' Dewhirst has continued his engaging in the issuing of quality driven music compilations, always displaying the light touch expertise and willingness to guide, in a manner that is never patronising.

For this edition Dewhirst returns to Philadelphia and the sounds of the 1970s 'Philly Sound', drawing from the back catalogues of 'Philly Groove' and 'Philadelphia International', and a sound that utillised soaring orchestral support allied to propulsive rhythmic grooves. Unlike an earlier similarly themed 'Back Beats' issue ('Philly Disco' BACKB003), this presentation consists of 19 Tracks rather than the typical 12" mixes that are usually featured, thereby allowing a greater spread of material to be showcased.

As is to be expected, the volume opens with the ever popular 'Armed & Extremely Dangerous' (1973) by First Choice, followed by 'I Told You So' (1973) by The Delfonics, placing tight melodic vocal harmonising over a wonderfully warm sound. The Trammps feature twice, with 'Where Do We Go From Here' (1974) and 'Trusting Heart' (1974), the latter being another fine example of the melodic strength to be found across this compilation, threading through the classic and affirmative 'Wake Up Everybody' (1975) by Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes to the evergreen 'You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine' (1976) by Lou Rawls. Other highlights include the absolutely storming 'The More I Get The More I Want'(1977), a Teddy Pendergrass guaranteed floor filler, and the Jones Girls' 'You're Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else' (1979), which departs from the traditional Philly Sound, pointing towards the slower driven boogie of the early 1980s. This is an infectious groove driven delight, with wonderful harmonising to boot.

So. Do You Buy?

The first ten volumes of 'Back Beats' managed to establish a level of quality that owed much to the guiding hand of Dewhirst. For this second series he is joined by Dean Rudland and Sean Dempsey, mirroring the approach seen in his earlier 'Mastercuts' series, whereby experts of a particular genre would be invited to contribute to the collection. The key value of this issue is the fact that it gathers up a number of key tracks under a single title, many of which may not be familiar, and does so at an incredibly low price. In the age of digital downloading, file sharing and crashing hard drives 'Back Beats' provide an enduring tangible product that may serve to highlight some great music to a new audience.

As Dewhirst writes in the liner notes, "This is music for life. Treasure it and you'll always be happy".

It would be impossible to argue. Simply buy.

Brings me back to the 70s when the music was at its best. Excellent tracks on the CD.Such great memories at the discos when the music for that time was great. Discos everynight what an experience.