Customer Reviews

Gamble & Huff Orchestra/Mysteries of the World

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am so excited. MYSTERIES OF THE WORLD is already on CD. But to find THE

GAMBLE & HUFF Orchestra is truly amazing. To my knowledge the first LP,the self titled MFSB was released in 1973. It was my senior year of high school. In my immediate school clique of african american hippies, were turned on by this new funky but jazzy groove this duo turned out.

While in the classroom, luch room and while walking the halls of Calumet High School back home in Chicago with MFSB blasting from my cassette deck boosted our popularity. My English, Drama and Art teachers all bought the album from listening to mine. The next year while in the Navy in 1974 G/H realeased MFSB: LOVE IS THE MESSAGE. The consciousness of Gamble & Huff took instrumentals to an all new high for listening. I'm disappointed LOVE IS THE MESSAGE hasn't been relased on CD yet. 1975 brought thr release of PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM, still captivating us with the same but progressive sound from album to album. PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM still has not been released on CD. Then came UNIVERSAL LOVE; still not released on CD. 1976 brought about SUMMERTIME; still not released on CD. THE GAMBLE & HUFF ORCHESTRA just released on CD. 1980 gave us MYSTERIES OF THE WORLD which has been released on CD. So on CD you can get: MFSB (1973), THE GAMBLE & HUFF ORCHESTRA (1978), and MYSTERIES OF THE WORLD (1980). What you can't get on CD is LOVE IS THE MESSAGE (1973), PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM (1975), UNIVERSAL LOVE (1975) and SUMMERTIME (1976). If and when they become available, I'll be the happiest man alive. Quincy Jones got his props. Berry Gordy got his props. But Gamble & Huff never got their props. I would love to interview them.

MFSB was Gamble & Huff's personal creation and with reason. They played on every single album. People that came from miles around to have them play on their albums.

These two gems are really good. My personal faves are Mysteries Of The World, Tell Me Why, Metamorphosis, Dance With Me Tonight, To Be In Love, Wishing On A Star & The Way I Feel.

Finding these two was hard, but when I gave it a listen, I was immediately hooked. Not one for listening to instrumentals, this twofer gave me a broader scope for my muscial future. Get this, U won't be sorry. Grade: A

MFSB was Philadelphia International Records' famed house band and these two underrated albums were their last outings for PIR. An invigorating and at times smooth mix of disco, R&B and smooth jazz is the best way to describe this great music. MFSB played on virtually all PIR releases of the 1970s and these two albums' musical standards are very high--and all tracks are eminently enjoyable.

Philadelphia was one lucky city to have these muscians that helped define the "Philly" sound. What a talented bunch! Real musicians w/real skills. Take a listen for yourself! Five stars!!

MYSTERIES OF THE WORLD IS AN EXCELLENT CD FROM BEGINNING TO END.ORCHESTRA CD IS A HACKNEYED DISCO DISK THAT FALLS FLAT. THE PRICE HOWEVER IS MORE THAN WORTH IT JUST TO GET"MYSTERIES"!

"The Gamble & Huff Orchestra" (1978), & "Mysteries Of The World" (1980), were the final albums of MFSB. Long out of print, it's easy to see why "The G & H Orchestra" album pretty much vanished without a trace. The songs on that particular album are ok, but nothing to write home about. Their remakes of Rose Royce's "Wishing On A Star" & their very own O'Jays "Use Ta Be My Girl" (in this case "Guy"), didn't quite measure up to the originals. The best cuts on that album are "Dance With Me Tonight", & "Redwood Beach", the opener & closer of the album respectively. I would give the "G & H" album 4 stars. Now the "Mysteries Of The World" album is a classic! One reason is because Gamble & Huff decided to let the rhythm section shine on this one, & have the orchestra be the backdrop, instead of the other way around like in all of MFSB's releases. The title track is the stuff that hip-hop samples are made of, with its thumping bass line. Check out the funk in Dexter Wansel's "Manhattan Skyline", not to be confused with the David Shire tune of the same name off the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack. But what really stands out for me on this album are the ballads "Tell Me Why", beautifully sung by Carla Benson I believe, & "Thank You Miss Scott", with its heavenly flute playing by its writer/arranger Jack Faith. This particular song is perfect for a wedding, or just relaxing with your significant other. I cannot understand why the "Mysteries Of The World" album didn't get platinum sales at the time of its release. Times & tastes were changing in music for the worse at the beginning of the 80's. But thank goodness we still have these 2 MFSB albums to bring us back to a time of REAL MUSIC, with REAL MUSICIANS. Get this CD before it's gone, sadly like all good albums of the past.

Fantastic Music! Some previously unreleased. If you like MFSB, you'll like this.