Decades after its 1970s apogee, Philly soul's sound clearly remains a stylistic blueprint for much of the soul and R&B to gain popularity in its wake. Its exhilarating mixture of velvety, vintage R&B and Motown exuberance was a constant, while lush and breezy '70s vibes such as Billy Paul's "Me and Mrs. Jones" were gracefully juxtaposed alongside more pointed numbers like the O'Jays "Back Stabbers." Philadelphia International Records bosses Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff joined the list of chart-dominant soul producers of the '70s through their work with local leading lights MFSB, the Delfonics, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes (led by future solo star Teddy Pendergrass), and the O'Jays, while producer Thom Bell--who for a time joined Gamble & Huff at Philadelphia International as chief arranger--masterminded a number of hits by the Spinners, the Stylistics, Lou Rawls, and resurrected Chicago soul legend Jerry Butler; together, Gamble, Huff, and Bell were inarguably credited as the architects of Philly soul's sophisticated sound. Before long, the soaring strings, smooth horn arrangements, and ingratiating rhythms of Philly soul were co-opted by countless other producers and artists, a development that gave rise to disco, smooth soul, and quiet storm in the '70s and '80s, and over time, neo soul and contemporary R&B in the '90s and '00s.

Notable Artists: The O'Jays, the Spinners; MFSB, the Stylistics