Philly Heart & Soul is a 10-member dance party band with over 100 songs in their arsenal. Founded over 10 years ago by Sam Primavera (lead guitar) and Johnny Morrone (vocals), the group is adept at many musical genres including Top 40, classic covers, R&B, funk, rock and blues. They’ve just released three original Spotify singles titled Back To Your Heart, Cynical and Unfinished Business.
Besides founders Primavera and Morrone, the group’s members include Phyllis Love and Allie D (vocals), Derrick Love (bass), Rick Meale (keys) and Dom Dubano (drums). The horn section features Dwanye Williams (sax), Mark Edmonds (trumpet) and Frank Taggart (trombone). “Back To Your Heart” starts us off in an upbeat manner with a driving keyboard and horns-based riff, maybe a bit on the Reggae side. My guess is that Johnny Morrone takes the lead vocal here, with a velvety-smooth voice that wanders a bit across the stereo field (almost like he stepped out into the audience!). This is the kind of song where it’s nearly impossible not to clap along. For the chorus all the singers join in for some incredible 3-part R & B harmony and some surprisingly rich chord changes. By the second verse I’m starting to get Four Seasons vibes, especially when the band moves into a brand new third section. The guitar is unrelentingly funky and the horns and keys always seem in lockstep. “Cynical” doubles down on the funk, well within Ohio Players territory (and with similar instrumentation, it would make sense!). I believe Phyllis Love takes the lead vocals here, with judicious comments from the horns. As before the chorus swells with multiple voices and gives this song a kind of “Chic” glamour. I feel my life is incomplete until I see this track performed live! Halfway through there’s a key change for the “C” section that could almost be its own song, until the “Funky Town” style conclusion. “Unfinished Business” has a shuffling beat that’s not quite disco but somewhere in the same ballroom. From the top the band delivers stellar three-part harmonies followed by a rap section that’s safe for the whole family. The “unfinished business” here seems concerned with a gig or love affair that’s either the greatest thing ever, or something to be run away from at all costs; with lyrics this quick it could be anything! Of the three tracks (and aside from the rapping) this one is most concerned with presented the group voices as a single, soaring choir of sound. There’s also a fine concluding guitar solo by the esteemed Mr. Primavera. I was telling my wife I would hire this band in a heartbeat if they lived anywhere near me, but until that day I can enjoy these tracks and so can you!
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