TEDDY PENDERGRASS Schallplatten & CDs

Review: During the latter stages of the "Philly Soul" era, New York remixer Tom Moulton delivered a string of inspired, DJ friendly reworks for the Philadelphia International label. For proof, check this fine selection of classic Moulton mixes for the storied imprint. Check first his version of Archie Bell and the Drells' "Where Will You Go When The Party's Over", which he brilliantly teases out and increases in intensity over nine spellbinding minutes. The funkier flex of People's Choice's "Jam, Jam, Jam (All Night Long)" is a sweaty, low-down treat, while the Teddy Pendergrass rework is a soaring disco classic in the Philly Soul style. Best of all, though, is the string-drenched disco celebration that is his mix of Lou Rawls' "See You When I Git There".

Review: This release features two of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' recordings that typify the cream of Philadelphia International and Sigma Sound studios' dominance of the dancefloor - at the absolute height of their creativity and power. They were one of the most popular groups on Gamble & Huff's label, clocking up a number of hits in the mid 1970's. "Bad Luck" spent 11 weeks on the No.1 slot on Billboard's U.S. Dance chart in 1975 and has since become one of the biggest dancefloor staples ever recorded. It gets a remix by the master Tom Moulton for added club dynamics. On the flip, we have the original full version of the classic "Don't Leave Me This Way" which is also mixed to perfection by Moulton. Both are state of the art lessons in what exhilarating dance music is all about. Fully remastered on limited edition 180 gram heavyweight vinyl.

Review: Mike Maurro is the label manager and remix king behind the legendary Brookside, who specialise in disco/soul reissues hailing from Brooklyn. His fingers in many pies, Maurro here remixes two classics from Philadelphia International Records, the O'Jays' 'I Love Music' and Harold Melvin's 'Wake Up Everbody'. Draggy, sunny and full of that downtempy, boxy re-edit magick.

Review: Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes lead singer Teddy Pendergrass is one of soul music's most underrated artists if you ask us - and he has a remarkable story that rather took a tragic turn later in life and is well worth reading about. Here a couple of his golden gems get reworked by Mike Maurro for the Brookside label. First up is the gentle soul and lavish arrangement of the deep rolling 'Close The Door'. On the B-side you will find 'Only You', a more upbeat dancefloor heater with fat and plump drums and disco energy topped with Teddy's buttery vocals.

Review: Original disco remixer John Morales has spent much of the last decade delivering superb, multi-track reworks of classic cuts, in the process showcasing the sublime musicianship and vocals at the heart of these much-loved classics. He's the perfect choice, then, to dip into the immense back catalogue of leading Philadelphia Soul star Teddy Pendergrass and deliver updated versions. The resultant two-disc set is as inspired as you'd expect, with Morales delivering a blend of peak-time ready revisions of surging dancefloor anthems ('The More I Get, The More I Want', 'Don't Leave Me This Way', 'You Can't Hide From Yourself', 'Life is a Song Worth Singing'), sensitive revisions of deeper catalogue cuts and stunning reworks of jaw-dropping slow jams. Throughout, the troubled but immensely talented singer remains the undisputed star of the show.