Society Hill Orchestra, The - Butch Ingram Presents Philly Classics, Vol. 3 Music CD

Modernizing the classic Philly soul sound while still retaining that old school feel is a difficult feat, especially when dealing with classic hits that represent in many ways the evolution of the music - so who better to deal with this task than legendary producer Butch Ingram who has dedicated his career to keeping the sound of Philly soul music alive for the past several decades. Utilizing The Society Hill Orchestra and his band of brothers for backing, that task is made easier with the help of many of the relatively new artists now responsible for keeping the sound fresh such as saxophonist Benny Barksdale, Jr., guitarist Gary Nelson and the superb vocal group TRU. Add to the mix Philly soul veterans Vicki Austin, Carla Benson, The Illusions and The Fabulous Ebonys (reprising their hit "Do You Like The Way I Love You") performing songs by such classic artists as The Stylistics, The O'Jays, Lou Rawls, MFSB, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Melba Moore, David Ruffin, The Spinners and The Ethics to create an impressive balance that lends an air of legitimacy to the proceedings and serves to make these classics come alive with the same spirit as when they were originally recorded. Kudos are due to the Butch's crew for a job well done. Thanks to their efforts, the classic sound of Philly soul music is very much relevant and will continue to evolve with the passage of time - while simultaneously staying true to it's roots.