MFSB

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

MFSB officially stood for Mother Father Sister Brother. It was a group of more than thirty session musicians from Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, who worked for the production team of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff and for the producer and arranger Thom Bell. They accompanied, among others, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, the O'Jays, the Stylistics, the Spinners, Wilson Pickett and Billy Paul. They were the house orchestra of the label Philadelphia International Records and created the Philly sound that dominated the charts in the early 1970s. Their first success was a number one in March 1973 as the backing band of the O'Jays on Love Train.

Music and breakthrough

From 1972 they also recorded under their own name. Their debut album MFSB, from 1973, put them on the map, followed by Love Is the Message, Universal Love and Philadelphia Freedom. The second single, TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia), was the theme tune of the television programme Soul Train. It was released in March 1974, topped the American pop and R&B charts and was certified gold in April.

Influence

The orchestra combined rhythm section, guitars, vibraphone, strings and horns. Later in the 1970s it was known for the hi-hat that coloured disco records by, among others, the Trammps and First Choice. TSOP helped to establish the disco sound. MFSB was formed in 1971 and disbanded in 1985.

Listening

• 
  TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) · MFSB feat. The Three Degrees, 1974
  Apple Music ↗

Discography

Studio albums

• 1973Love Is the Message
• 1973MFSB
• 1975Philadelphia Freedom
• 1975Universal Love
• 1976Summertime
• 1978MFSB, The Gamble-Huff Orchestra
• 1980Mysteries of the World

Mentioned in other articles

• Philly soul GenreIn Sigma Sound Studio, the house band MFSB recorded lush soul, with strings, horns and a tight, danceable groove.

See also

• MFSB
• MFSB, The Gamble-Huff Orchestra
• Philly soul