Kent Vinyl & CDs

Review: One of the key record producers and pushers of the 60s-70s Philly Sound - which upended the generic norms of soul and r&b to establish a brasher and more bombastic sound - Thom Bell has gone down in time as the holy son of soul, forming one part of its so-called holy trinity along with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. This new compilation is an exciting retrospective on the man's best works, bringing greater-known groundbreakers - Delfonics' 'Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time', Stylistics' 'Betcha By Golly, Wow' - with lesser-spotted lovables from the likes of Nancy Wilson's 'Joe' to Deniece Williams' 'Silly'. Bell was known for his introduction of the celeste, the French horn and the harpsichord to soul music - all can be heard throughout the comp at various points, testifying his staunch commitment to expanding upon an already established sound.