The Philadelphia International All Stars ”Let’s Clean Up The Ghetto”

The Philadelphia International All Stars

”Let’s Clean Up The Ghetto”
( LP Philadelphia International Records, 1977 )
Catalog # PIR 82198

Credits:
Arranged By:
Bobby Martin (tracks: A1, A3, A4, B1)
Dexter Wansel (tracks: A2, B3)
Jack Faith (tracks: B5)
Lenny Pakula (tracks: B4)
Norman Harris (tracks: A5)
Ron Kersey (tracks: B2)

Producers:
Bobby Martin (tracks: A1, A3)
Bunny Sigler (tracks: B3)
Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff (tracks: A2, A5, B1, B2, B4, B5)
Gene McFadden (tracks: A4)
Harold Melvin (tracks: B5)
John Whitehead (tracks: A4)
Victor Carstarphen (tracks: A4)
Written-By – B. Sigler (tracks: B3)
C. Gilbert (tracks: A2)
D. Wansel (tracks: B3)
F. Neil (tracks: B5)
Gamble & Huff (tracks: A2, A5, B1, B2)
G. McFadden (tracks: A4)
G. S. Heron (tracks: B4)
J. Whitehead (tracks: A4)
R. MacDonald (tracks: A1)
S. Vincent (tracks: A3)
V. Carstarphen (tracks: A4)
W. Salter (tracks: A1)

Notes:
Recorded at Sigma Studios Philadelphia, Pa.
Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: US
Released: 1977

Tracklisting:
A1 O’Jays, The The Big Gangster (3:50)
A2 Billy Paul New Day, New World Comin’ (4:30)
A3 Archie Bell & The Drells Old People (3:45)
A4 Intruders, The Save The Children (4:12)
A5 Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes Everybody’s Talkin’ (3:51)
B1 Lou Rawls Trade Winds (3:48)
B2 Philadelphia International All Stars Let’s Clean Up The Ghetto (8:42)
B3 Dee Dee Sharp Gamble Ooh Child (3:32)
B4 Teddy Pendergrass Now Is The Time (3:42)
B5 Three Degrees, The Year Of Decision (2:34)
**Bonus Tracks:
Let’s Clean Up The Ghetto 12” (Vocal & Instrumental)

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Review:

Issued in July 1977 as Let’s Clean Up the Ghetto by the Philadelphia International All-Stars, this is one of Philly soul’s most socially aware efforts. The album’s title track was a coming together of artists signed to Gamble & Huff’s Philadelphia International Records: Lou Rawls, Billy Paul, Archie Bell, Teddy Pendergrass, Dee Dee Sharp Gamble, and Eddie Levert and Walter Williams of the O’Jays. The compelling track with its “we’re on the move” bassline went to number four R&B, number 91 pop on Billboard’s charts in summer 1977. The profits were allotted to a charity program. Even though the rest of the LP consists of various unreleased tracks, the result is consistent. The brassy “The Big Gangster” by the O’Jays got airplay as an album track. Other highlights are the fervent “Now Is the Time to Do It” by Teddy Pendergrass; the buoyant, optimistic “New World Comin’” by Billy Paul’ and Archie Bell & the Drells’ celebration of seniors, “Old People,” produced by Bunny Sigler. The earnest cut is on Beach Music Anthology, Vol. 3 released by Ripete Records on April 11, 2000. ["Let's Clean Up the Ghetto" can be found on the 1996 Wotre set Mega Funk and Greatest Hits of Philadelphia: 1976-1986 issued by Empire on June 13, 2000.]
By Ed Hogan (AMG)

By Pier & Celo