Intercity Sound Association - Phillysound (2012)

It's always a thrill when a super-rare cult record finally gets the recognition it deserves. Here we have one such album; following the early 70s boom in a new soul sound hailing from Philadelphia, the rest of the world quickly caught on. Germany, arguably the birthplace of Eurodisco, probably took to it most and in 1975 producer Klaus R. Nagel (of "Joy Unlimited" fame) and arranger Fritz Muenzer decided to record their own take on Philly Soul. The result, recorded with the string section of the SDR (South German Broadcasting), was this disco-funk long player featuring 12 original instrumentals. Lead track "City Train" was even used as a jingle on German Sports TV Show Pfiff - Das Jugendsportstudio. Elsewhere we have the melodramatic "Night Flight", the sultry string-led "Proud Horse" and the sassy, brassy funk of "Full House". Nagel himself has also digitally remastered album!