When my late partner, Gene Allan and I first recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, we found something magic was happening in that studio which was unlike anywhere else we had ever recorded. It was not just the studio, Sigma Sound, itself, but the people and the special talents of those who performed there, which made it different. Even the local food was very different than any other place we ever been.
Songwriting, sounds, vocalists and music arrangers were different when those special talents performed in that studio on “212 North 12th”.
Whether it were producers such as Gamble & Huff, Jerry Ross, Thom Bell, Linda Creed, Norman Harris or musicians such as Vince Montana, Bobby Eli, Earl Young and others, there was a certain “magic” which proved that these recordings which happened there were unlike those which were recorded in any other place in the world.
Although Gene and I wrote most of our songs in our New York City office, our songs were aimed at the artists who we discovered.
Adam Wade was one artist who seemed to fit right into the Philadelphia Sound. His album, which had these same Philadelphia musicians perform there, had that magical sound.
John Kelly (J. Kelly & the Premiers) singing a major R & B hit, “She Calls Me Baby”, had that magical sound. Billy (Hill) Proctor, was another talented recording artist who performed so perfectly at Sigma Sound. His recordings of “Love Ain’t Love” and “It’s the Same Old Love” fit right into the sound of the Stylistics and “Blue Magic”.
We were so lucky to have “found” or “discovered” that wonderful studio and Joe Tarcia, the Maestro and Chief Engineer, himself, at that magical time and “212 North 12th” the magical place. The right time was when we first recorded there, thanks to our mentor, Jerry Ross.
Gene and I were invited by the Manager of Sigma Sound, Harry Chipetz to a Philadelphia Chinese Restaurant. Being well versed in New York’s Chinatown style of food, we were amazed at the difference between the local food in Philly and New York Chinese food.
Even the famous New York City local chain called, “The Blarney Stone” which had their own version of “corned beef” which we both loved, wasn’t the same or even as good as the local bar and grill which was within walking distance of the Studio in Philadelphia. Philadelphia had its own tastes in food, music and even their local accent of speech, was different than anywhere else. “OEUVER” … .not “OVER” .. or “BaltEEmore” .. NOT “BALTIMORE” .. was pronounced differently in Philadelphia. To Gene and myself, Philadelphia was a sort of “OZ” place to us.
Only the New York Delicatessen or Umbrella Hot Dog stand hot dogs had an unmatched taste than anywhere else in the world.
We had artists who had a sort of magic and a few had some real successes, but, unfortunately the promotion on many of our released records was lacking. That was the trick in the music business. That is why Bob Crewe was so successful.
Bob, not only had the talent but he promoted his office product, HIMSELF! He made it a priority never to be too busy to concentrate on his recordings to get a full chance of success. Few, if any, had the promotional sales skills and fortitude to call his friends and Disc Jockeys in respect to each and every recording which came out of his office. This went for his own productions or those of his artists, producers and songwriters who worked with and for him.
Gene and I found that our experience in Philadelphia was, somehow, “meant to be” and this magical journey lead to our very exhilarating and enjoyable existence in a business which, once again, had even more unlikely odds than if we had tried to pick 100 to 1 shots at the racetrack!
I was truly lucky to be at the right place at the right time, and with the right partner!