Armed and Extremely Dangerous (1973)

If there was a point where it began, when the tightly honed musicianship of the 'Philadelphia Sound' became the more commercial Disco, then this album could be it...

Rochelle Fleming, Annette Guest and Joyce Jones were high school friends from Philadelphia who sang together as The Debronettes in the late sixties, following that Supremes sound. A successful collaboration with writer/producers Norman Harris and Alan Felder, This Is The House (Where Love Died), led to this full release on Bell subsidiary Philly Groove Records. A label created by Stan Watson, who discovered, produced and managed The Delfonics. Together with writer/arranger/producer Thom Bell (the 'Black Bacarach') he helped create the 'Philly Sound' in the late sixties before Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff instigated their famous Philadelphia International label. Captivating the world with classic, timeless ballads for the Delfonics like Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) and La La Means I Love You.

Co-produced by Watson and Harris, and mostly arranged by Harris, the strength of the album is the work of the musicians and arrangers. The credits are a who's who of Philadelphia's finest, already utilised on Gamble & Huff recordings as M.F.S.B., with names like Vincent Montana and Bobby Eli. Particularly drummer Earl Young and percussionist Larry Washington. Beginning many of the songs unaccompanied, Young's distinctive 4/4 shuffle beats and Washington's energetic rhythms would in time become the backbone of many a release on the Salsoul label - the premiere Disco label. Lyrically the album could hardly be further from the social commentary and spiritual messages of Gamble & Huff. Aside from a fair reworking of Al Green's Love & Happiness titles like Smarty Pants and Newsy Neighbours speak volumes about a fun, lighter side to soul - but still using that all-important Philadelphia expertise. The title track itself is the most wonderful combination of sublime music and pure cheesiness. Isn't that true of all the best Disco records?

Unsuprisingly First Choice's best known songs were released on the Salsoul label a few years later. The Harris and Felder produced disco classics Dr Love and Let No Man Put Asunder.