Two Sides of Philly Soul From The Futures

The Futures “Stay With Me” (Gamble, 1972)

The Futures “Our Thing” (Amjo, 1970)
The Futures “Stay With Me” (Gamble, 1972)

Today we’re doing a double cheeseburger of Philly soul.  These 45s have been floating around in my head (and collection) for a long time and it was only a few months ago that it actually clicked that they were products of the same group.  I’ve always enjoyed the smoothed out more modern feel of “Stay With Me” and liked to play it in my more ‘adult moments’ or at least when I’m imagining what it’s like to be “grown and sexy.”  Today’s other 45 “Our Thing” is pretty clearly on the other end of the stylistic spectrum- rowdy organs, shouted vocals, uptempo and bordering on frantic- so you can see how I never attached the yin to the yang.

The Futures strike a pose

The Futures were a Philly group that was formed in 1968 with their first single “Our Thing” coming out in 1970 on the Amjo label.  You may remember Amjo for their “Happening Sound” tag line and the one other 45 they put out.  Or maybe not…  I came across “Our Thing” while on a trip to Philly and haven’t seen it or the Tapestry 45 (the sole other Amjo release I’m aware of) out in the field ever.  The record did have some legs locally though and was a regional hit, so much so that the Avalanche label reissued it the following year.

After their Amjo hit The Futures moved on to the become part of the growing Gamble and Huff empire and found themselves another regional hit with “Love is Here” the A side to the record we’re focusing on here today, “Stay With Me.”  (I swear I’m not looking for bonus obscurity points, but it’s always been the B side on this slab of vinyl that stuck with me.)  Smooth and vocal driven but with crisp drums and all the beginnings of all the production values that make up “The Philly Sound” including a hint of proto-disco in the beat.  A big part of the record really sticking with me is the noticeable lack of strings and orchestration that can (depending on my mood) feel overbearing instead letting the percussion, vocals and some classy horn arrangements keep the song moving.

The Futures, despite a wealth of talent, never really broke out of Philly fame.  They spent some time on the Buddah label before returning to the Gamble and Huff stables of Philadelphia International where they again achieved a level of regional success.

Hope you enjoy these two records and the sides of Philadelphia soul they represent.

Till next time,

-George / Snack Attack

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