Sir Lenny Henry has put together a Philly Soul Playlist for BBC Sounds featuring some of his favourite Philadelphia soul tunes.
In it, he talks about how important music was to him growing up and how it has soundtracked his life and career in the clubs, on the radio, and in forming his own record collection.
This special playlist is to accompany The Sound of Philadelphia, a special concert presented by Sir Lenny on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday 27 October at 8pm. The concert was recorded this October at the Royal Albert Hall to mark 50 years of black-owned soul music label, Philadelphia International Records.
Characterised by funk influences and lush string and horn arrangements, Philly soul would lay the groundwork for the emergence of disco later in the 1970s.
The label’s roster included The O’Jays, Patti LaBelle, Lou Rawls, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and Teddy Pendergrass among others, with hits including Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now, Don’t Leave Me This Way, Love Train, Me and Mrs. Jones and When Will I See You Again.
Sir Lenny’s playlist on BBC Sounds includes music from People’s Choice, Archie Bell & The Drells, Billy Paul, The Jones Girls and more. He also delves into his record collection for a second show – Lenny Henry’s Lifetime Anthems Playlist – in which he selects some of the tunes and artists that have soundtracked his life including Prince, DJ Kool, Beverley Knight, Eddie Kendricks and Soul II Soul.
Music was a huge part of Lenny’s upbringing and in this programme, he tells some incredible stories about meeting his idols Prince and George Clinton and talks about his friendship with Beverley Knight who sang at his 60th birthday party.
Both playlists are available on BBC Sounds from Thursday 17 October.
