Sony Music partners with "Philly Soul" hitmakers

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Sony BMG Music Entertainment has joined forces with the soul music powerhouse that catapulted the O'Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes and Billy Paul to worldwide stardom in the 1970s.

The label said on Friday it had licensed the complete music catalog of Philadelphia International Records (PIR), the label founded by producer/songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in 1971.

Under the multiyear deal, Sony's catalog arms will delve into the PIR vaults to reissue classic albums, live and unreleased material, and "many more secret finds and rarities," according to a statement.

The reissue project begins in October with two double-disc compilations: "The Essential Lou Rawls" and "The Essential Teddy Pendergrass." Gamble and Huff will be closely involved with the entire undertaking.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to bring the sounds of Philly Soul to new and established audiences in fresh and exciting ways," the duo said in the statement. "We're honored to know that the R&B and soul music we love so much will continue to provide the soundtrack to the lives of so many fans, young and old, all over the world."

Through their Philadelphia-based label, Gamble and Huff churned out such hits as Billy Paul's Grammy-winning chart-topper "Me & Mrs. Jones," Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' "If You Don't Know Me By Now," and the O'Jays' "Backstabbers" and "Love Train."

Other acts on the label included Patti LaBelle, MFSB, the Intruders, the Three Degrees, and Jerry Butler.

Reuters