MFSB

Overview

MFSB was assembled by producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff as the house band for Philadelphia International Records, originating the Philly sound that dominated the early 1970s for artists such as the O'Jays, the Spinners, Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes, the Intruders, the Three Degrees, Jerry Butler, and Teddy Pendergrass. Later in the decade, the collective became known for hi-hat-dominated disco sounds popular with groups like the Trammps, First Choice, Ripple, and Double Exposure.

Their first album, MFSB, released in 1973, put them on the map and began a string of instrumental hits. The lineup included drummers Karl Chambers, Earl Young, and Norman Fearrington; guitarists Norman Harris, Roland Chambers, Bobby Eli, and T. J. Tindall; bassists Winnie Wilford and Ronnie Baker; vibes and percussion player Vincent Montana Jr.; conga player Larry Washington; keyboardists Harold Ivory Williams Jr., Leon Huff, and Thom Bell; and Don Renaldo on strings and horns with Rocco Bene on trumpet.

MFSB's disco sound first topped the Billboard Hot 100 as the backing band for the O'Jays' 'Love Train' in March 1973. In 2005, drummer Keith Benson revived the group with help from Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, including new members on drums, bass, guitar, and vocals.

Career

In spring 1974, Philadelphia International released an instrumental track recorded by MFSB as the theme for the television show Soul Train. The single, 'TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)', reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, the R&B chart, and the adult contemporary chart, launching a recording career for the band under their own name. MFSB albums and singles were released for the rest of the decade. They recorded a cover of the Nite-Liters' instrumental 'K-Jee', which gained popularity when featured in a key scene in the film Saturday Night Fever (1977) and appeared on its soundtrack.

'Sexy' (1975) was later used as a prize cue for the 'Big Deal of the Day' on the 1980 version of Let's Make a Deal. Another popular number, 'Love Is the Message', became a favorite of dance/disco DJs; countless remixes exist. On September 20, 2004, it was among the first records inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame. In October 2004, the song appeared in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on the radio station Bounce FM, and an episode of the television series Pose named after the song aired on July 18, 2018.

Due to a disagreement with Gamble & Huff over finances, several members moved to Salsoul Records, becoming the Salsoul Orchestra; others performed as the Ritchie Family orchestra or John Davis and the Monster Orchestra. Gamble & Huff replaced them with a new rhythm section including Charles Collins, Michael Foreman, and Dennis Harris, also employing Dexter Wansel on later recordings. For decades, MFSB's 'My Mood' has been the closing theme for the Friday 6 p.m. news on WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., chosen to soothe viewers after difficult news.

'TLC' (Tender Lovin' Care) was used for decades as the closing credits theme for the Washington, D.C., version of It's Academic.