SIGMA SOUNDS
The best of the Philly soul that blew Bowie’s mind, 1971-74. By LOIS WILSON.
THE EBONYS
You’re The Reason Why
(Philadelphia International Records, 1971)
The Ebonys, a dramatic vocal quartet built around duelling tenor and falsetto leads, put the fledgling Philadelphia International Records on the map when this Gamble & Huff-penned, Thom Bell-arranged ballad gave the label its first US R&B Top 10 hit in summer ’71.
DAVID SIGLER & DEE DEE SHARP
Conquer The World Together
(Philadelphia International Records, 1971)
A statement of purpose from ‘the holy trinity’ – G&H, plus Bell – where Sigler and the honey-voiced then-Mrs Gamble update Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s call and response for the ’70s. A plausible prototype for Bowie and Luther Vandross’s vocal to-and-fro on
Young Americans.