Contemporary R&B Artist Raphael Saadiq Set to Perform at the Legendary Philadelphia International Records Gamble Huff Recording Studios for Special Radio Program Hosted by DJ Butterball for WDAS Radio FM - Philly's Best R&B & Classic Soul Station

'Tis the season to celebrate the classic soul sounds of Philadelphia International Records, the groundbreaking hit-making record label founded by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in 1971. A fantastic commemoration of the Philly Soul Sound -- including a Philadelphia radio performance by Raphael Saadiq, a definitive "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" CD boxed set, and a PBS television special -- is coming your way over the holidays.

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Hot contemporary R&B artist Raphael Saadiq, whose recently-released Columbia Records album, The Way I See It, puts a new school spin on Gamble & Huff's profound musical legacy, has been invited to perform a special mini-set at the legendary PIR Studios on Friday, December 5.

Currently on tour with labelmate John Legend, Saadiq will sing in the studio for PIR founders Gamble & Huff for a WDAS radio special, hosted by legendary Philly DJ Butterball Tamburro, honoring the music and history of Philadelphia International Records. The WDAS radio special will air 7:00-9:00 PM EST.

Saadiq will open for John Legend at Philadelphia's Tower Theater the evening of December 5.

"It's incredible to perform for Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in the studio where they made the music that changed my life," said Raphael Saadiq. "For me, this is a dream come true."

Part one of "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" -- a two-part PBS television special celebrating the enduring musical legacy of the mythic musical production/songwriting duo Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff and the entire family of Philadelphia International Records artists -- will premiere Thanksgiving weekend through PBS affiliates nationwide, with subsequent airings across-the-country during the PBS December Pledge Week (please check your local listings).

Beginning late November, "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" will air in a variety of major markets across the country including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, Oakland-San Jose, Boston, Atlanta, Washington DC, Houston, Detroit, Phoenix, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Minneapolis and more (please see more complete listings following). For more information, please visit phillysoulclassics.com

Gamble & Huff are best-known as the creators of the classic Philly Soul Sound that began dominating music and radio charts in the early 1970s and continues to thrive into the 21st century.

A cornerstone event in Legacy Recordings' monumental Philly Soul reissue project, "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" was filmed during an historic live concert showcasing some of the greatest music and musicians in the Philadelphia International Records catalog including The O'Jays, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, The Delfonics, The Intruders, Jerry Butler, Bunny Sigler, Three Degrees, The Soul Survivors, Jean Carne, G.C. Cameron, and The Sound Of Philadelphia Orchestra.

A deluxe CD box set "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" is available now from Legacy Recordings.

Raphael Saadiq has been playing music since the age of 6, first rising to prominence under the name Raphael Wiggins in the groundbreaking R&B trio Tony! Toni! Tone! in the late 1980s.

Launching his career as a solo artist in the mid 1990s, Raphael earned five Grammy nominations -- setting the record for an independent release -- for his 2002 album debut, "Instant Vintage," a rollicking old school/contemporary soul combination of dance-oriented R&B, witty sampling, spirit-filled gospel, and straight-up fun. A crossover success, "Instant Vintage" peaked at #25 on the Billboard Top 200 and #6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart.

Raphael's collaborated with, and produced records for, a who's who of contemporary R&B, notably D'Angelo, who won a Grammy in 2000 for "Untitled (How Does It Feel)," Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, The Isley Brothers, Teedra Moses, The Roots, Macy Gray, Snoop Dogg, Devin the Dude, Kelis, Q-Tip, Lil' Skeeter, The Bee Gees, Nappy Roots, T-Boz from TLC, Joss Stone, Young Bellz, Earth, Wind & Fire and many others. Raphael took home a shared Best R&B Song Grammy in 2002 for his work on "Love Of My Life (An Ode To Hip Hop)" by Erykah Badu featuring Common.

His new album, The Way I See It, is the finest example to-date of Raphael's patented downtown sound, a masterful blend of old and new school sensibilities on tracks featuring guest artists Joss Stone, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z and much more.

  Raphael Saadiq will open for John Legend on the following dates:


  12/02    Boston, MA           Orpheum
  12/04    University Park, PA  PSU Bryce Jordan Center
  12/05    Philadelphia, PA     Tower Theatre
  12/06    Fairfield, CT        Fairfield University Alumni Hall
  12/08    Baltimore, MD        Lyric Opera House
  12/09    Washington, DC       Constitution Hall
  12/10    Greenville, SC       Peace Center Concert Hall
  12/12    Charlotte, NC        Ovens Aud.
  12/13    Durham, NC           PAC


  www.legacyrecordings.com
  www.raphaelsaadiq.com
  www.myspace.com/raphaelsaadiq
  www.columbiarecords.com

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Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060130/LEGACYLOGO

SOURCE: Columbia Records/Legacy Recordings

CONTACT: For more information on "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia"
and Legacy Recordings, Tom Cording, Legacy Recordings, New York,
+1-212-833-4448, Tom.Cording@sonybmg.com, or for more information on Raphael
Saadiq, Andre Morris, Columbia Records, New York, +1-212-833-5072,
Andre.Morris@sonybmg.com

Web Site: http://www.columbiarecords.com/
http://www.legacyrecordings.com/
http://www.raphaelsaadiq.com/