Sound of Sexy Soul
Encyclopedia
Sound of Sexy Soul is the second album by American
soul
group The Delfonics
, released in 1969 on the Philly Groove
label. The album was produced by Thom Bell
. Like The Delfonics' debut album La La Means I Love You
, The Sound of Sexy Soul is evenly split between new songs written by Bell and lead singer William Hart, and cover versions. The album's lead single, "Ready or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide from Love)
", peaked at #35 on the pop chart at the time of original release, but has become one of the group's most recogniseable tracks through being widely sampled, perhaps most notably on The Fugees
' "Ready or Not", a UK chart-topper in 1996.
The Sound of Sexy Soul continues the development of the smooth, symphonic soul sound pioneered by Bell on La La Means I Love You and is regarded as a classic example of early-period Philadelphia soul
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
group The Delfonics
The Delfonics
The Delfonics are a pioneering Philadelphia soul singing group, most popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their most notable hits include "La-La ", "Didn't I ", "Break Your Promise," "I'm Sorry," and "Ready or Not Here I Come "...
, released in 1969 on the Philly Groove
Philly Groove Records
Philly Groove Records was a soul music label started by Stan Watson and Sam Bell in 1967, with noted producer Thom Bell doing A&R. The label's best-known artists were male vocal group, the Delfonics and female group, First Choice. Both acts enjoyed a run of hits during the late 60s and early 70s,...
label. The album was produced by Thom Bell
Thom Bell
Thomas Randolph "Thom" Bell is an American songwriter and producer, best known as one of the creators of the Philadelphia style of soul music in the 1970s. He moved to Philadelphia as a child.-Biography:...
. Like The Delfonics' debut album La La Means I Love You
La La Means I Love You (album)
La La Means I Love You is the debut album by American soul group The Delfonics, released in 1968 on the Philly Groove label. The album was produced by Thom Bell and consists of a mixture of original songs written by Bell and lead singer William Hart, and cover versions of already well-known songs...
, The Sound of Sexy Soul is evenly split between new songs written by Bell and lead singer William Hart, and cover versions. The album's lead single, "Ready or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide from Love)
Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide From Love)
"Ready or Not Here I Come " is a well-known single from The Delfonics, produced by Thom Bell and released in 1968. The song peaked at number 35 on the U.S. pop chart, number 14 U.S...
", peaked at #35 on the pop chart at the time of original release, but has become one of the group's most recogniseable tracks through being widely sampled, perhaps most notably on The Fugees
The Fugees
Fugees were a Haitian American hip hop group who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. Their repertoire included elements of Hip hop, soul and Caribbean music, particularly reggae. The members of the group were rapper/singer/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer/producer Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel...
' "Ready or Not", a UK chart-topper in 1996.
The Sound of Sexy Soul continues the development of the smooth, symphonic soul sound pioneered by Bell on La La Means I Love You and is regarded as a classic example of early-period Philadelphia soul
Philadelphia soul
Philadelphia soul, sometimes called the Philadelphia Sound or Sweet Philly, is a style of soul music characterized by funk influences and lush instrumental arrangements, often featuring sweeping strings and piercing horns. The subtle sound of a glockenspiel can often be heard in the background of...
.
Track listing
(Tracks written by Thom Bell and William Hart unless stated)- "Ready or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide from Love)Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide From Love)"Ready or Not Here I Come " is a well-known single from The Delfonics, produced by Thom Bell and released in 1968. The song peaked at number 35 on the U.S. pop chart, number 14 U.S...
" 2:02 - "Let It Be Me" (Gilbert BécaudGilbert BécaudGilbert Bécaud was a French singer, composer and actor, known as "Monsieur 100,000 Volts" for his energetic performances. His best-known hits are "Nathalie" and "Et Maintenant", a 1961 release that became an English language hit as "What Now My Love"...
, Mann Curtis) 2:23 - "Hot Dog (I Love You So)" 2:19
- "You Can't Be Loving Him" 2:05
- "Ain't That PeculiarAin't That Peculiar"Ain't That Peculiar" is a 1965 song recorded by American soul musician Marvin Gaye for the Tamla label. The single was produced by Smokey Robinson, and written by Robinson, and fellow Miracles members Ronald White, Pete Moore, and Marv Tarplin...
" (Smokey RobinsonSmokey RobinsonWilliam "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
, Ronald WhiteRonald WhiteRonald "Ronnie" White was an African American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a founding member of The Miracles, and the only member to survive all of that group's line-up changes...
, Marv Tarplin) 1:48 - "With These Hands" (Davis, Davis, Silver, Silver) 2:15
- "Face It Girl, It's Over" (Badale, Stanton) 2:59
- "Goin' Out of My HeadGoin' Out Of My Head"Goin' Out of My Head" is a song written by Teddy Randazzo and Bobby Weinstein, initially recorded by Little Anthony & the Imperials in 1964. Randazzo, a childhood friend of the group, wrote the song especially for them, having also supplied the group with their previous Top 20 Hit "I'm On The...
" (Teddy RandazzoTeddy RandazzoTeddy Randazzo was a NYC born pop songwriter who composed 1960s hit songs such as "Goin' Out of My Head", "It's Gonna Take a Miracle", and "Hurt So Bad"...
, Bobby Weinstein) 2:08 - "My New Love" 2:50
- "Somebody Loves You" 3:21
- "Scarborough FairScarborough Fair"Scarborough Fair" is a traditional ballad of the United Kingdom.The song tells the tale of a young man, who tells the listener to ask his former lover to perform for him a series of impossible tasks, such as making him a shirt without a seam and then washing it in a dry well, adding that if she...
" (Traditional) 2:20 - "Everytime I See My Baby" 2:41
Singles
- "Ready or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide from Love)" (US PopBillboard Hot 100The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
#35, US R&BHot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
#14, UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#41) - "Somebody Loves You" Originally the B-side to "Ready or Not" (US Pop #72, US R&B #41)