MFSB
MFSB (according to the “clean” interpretation, Mother Father Sister Brother) was a pool of more than thirty studio musicians based at Philadelphia’s famed Sigma Sound Studios. They worked closely with the production team of Gamble and Huff and producer/arranger Thom Bell, and backed up such groups as Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, the O’Jays, the Stylistics, the Spinners, Wilson Pickett, and Billy Paul. In 1972, MFSB began recording as a named act for the Philadelphia International label. “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)”, also known as the Soul Train theme was their first and most successful single. Released in March 1974, it peaked at number one on the US Billboard pop and R&B charts. “TSOP” was influential in establishing the disco sound. (More from Wikipedia)
I guess I am stalling a little because no one seems to know much about Stratavarious, or their lead singer, who goes by the name of Lady. The band was put together by John L. (Johnny) Usry, Jr., who was the producer and arranger and also the orchestral conductor. He had previously worked with the Three Degrees, who one time provided the vocals on a new theme song for Soul Train. (The show’s long-time host, Don Cornelius died just last month). Public demand led to its release as a single; under the name “TSOP” by MFSB, it was a monster R&B hit in 1974. (The initials stand for “The Sound of Philadelphia” and “Mother Father Sister Brother”).
(March 2012)
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One memorable time for me was hearing the 1973 hit song “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)” by MFSB Featuring the Three Degrees for at least a half-hour at one North Carolina club. “TSOP” was a new theme song for the popular Soul Train television program and was the first TV theme to sell one million copies. “TSOP” is regarded as one of the foundation songs of the disco sound.
MFSB was basically the house band for the Gamble and Huff production team – it is analogous to the famed group of session musicians called the Wrecking Crew – and was based at Philadelphia’s Sigma Sound Studios. To the public, MFSB stood for “Mother, Father, Sister, Brother” and was a reference to how MFSB was like a family; the “other” name used among the musicians, however, was Mother-F--kin Sons of Bitches, “referring to musical prowess” according to Wikipedia.
(September 2016)
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Since I am down to a quarterly schedule rather than a monthly schedule, my annual list is a lot shorter, so I will try listing all of the people that I have discussed in some depth rather than just the Under Appreciated Rock Band and the Story of the Month. They are all punk rock bands of one kind or another this year (2015-2016), and the most recent post includes my overview of the early rap/hip hop scene that an old friend, George Konstantinow challenged me to write – probably so long ago that he might have forgotten.
September 2016 – 1980’s punk/rap band LIGHTNING STRIKE; Story of the Month on Patti Smith; also, Hamilton, School of Rock, MFSB, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Bob Dylan, Run-D.M.C., Aerosmith, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, the Fat Boys, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Kid ’N Play, MC Hammer, Rick James, Vanilla Ice, Blondie / Deborah Harry, Salt-N-Pepa, the Sugarhill Gang, Nile Rodgers / Chic, Ravales.
(Year 7 Review)
