When it comes to Philly Soul music, it is no secret that Butch Ingram is one of the most prolific producers on the scene, with a career of producing and promoting the music for well over 5 decades. Who better then to pay tribute to his colleague and long-time friend - the quintessential composer, arranger, conductor, producer and multi-instrumentalist Thom Bell? Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Thomas Randolph Bell moved to Philadelphia as a child where he was classically trained as a musician. As a teenager he sang with future luminaries Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Daryl Hall (of Hall & Oates fame). His first professional foray into the world of soul music started with Cameo Records where he worked as a session player and arranger. At the tender age of 24 in 1967, he was introduced to a local group called The Delfonics, and subsequently produced two singles for them on Cameo's subsidiary label, Moonglow. Bell brought an entirely new vibe to the process - a sweet, soulful and hypnotic sensibility that set him apart from other producers of the day. Soon his unique production talents yielded several big hits for The Delfonics including "La-La (Means I Love You)" and "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)," which yielded him his first Grammy Award in 1970. Soon Bell joined the production company operated by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, where he worked as an arranger for such acts as Jerry Butler, Archie Bell & The Drells, and The O'Jays. He arranged many of the early big hits, including the O'Jay's "Back Stabbers," on the newly launched Philadelphia International Records label. In 1971, Bell produced another local group, The Stylistics, on the Avco Records label. By this time, he had forged a songwriting partnership with Philadelphia-born songwriter, Linda Creed. With Creed, along with Russell Thompkins, Jr., the lead singer of the Stylistics, Bell and Creed became one of the era's most dominant soul songwriting teams, with hits galore, such as "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)" and "You Are Everything," for Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye - along with a slew of hits for The Stylistics, including "Betcha by Golly, Wow," "Break Up to Make Up," "You Make Me Feel Brand New" and "I'm Stone in Love with You." In 1972, Bell single-handedly revitalized the career of The Spinners, producing five gold albums including such mega-hits as ""I'll Be Around," "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love", and "Games People Play." In 1974, he deservedly won the coveted Producer of The Year Grammy. Among the other countless acts he had success with included Dionne Warwick, Johnny Mathis, Billy Paul, Ronnie Dyson, Deniece Williams, Anthony & The Imperials, James Ingram and Sir Elton John. With the new compilation, "Stop, Look And Listen: A Tribute To Thom Bell," Butch rounds up the Society Hill Orchestra, saxophonist extraordinaire Benny Barksdale, Jr., and some of the finest vocalists on the Philly Soul scene today to accomplish the task. A dozen songs that Bell had a major role in making hits - most of which he either wrote or played a major role in the arrangement and production of, are on display - and the results are sure to delight both old and new fans of the genre. This music is very much alive, and this fitting tribute to one of its chief architects is indeed a noble endeavor.
