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Philly soul turns 50! Yes, the label that started it all—Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International Records—was founded in ’71 and is the subject of a limited-edition series that begins with this big beauty of a set. Limited to 2500 copies, volume one takes us to the top of the Philadelphia International story with the first eight studio albums released by the venerable label: Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes’ "I Miss You," the O’Jays’ "Back Stabbers," Dick Jensen’s self-titled LP, the Intruders’ "Save the Children," MFSB’s self-titled LP and no less than three albums by Billy Paul: "Going East," "360 Degrees of Billy Paul" and "Ebony Woman." The vinyl here is a 12" single that’s exclusive to this set: the O’Jays’ smash "Back Stabbers" b/w the instrumental version of that tune by MFSB (how cool is that?). Along with all that music from 1971–73, you get a poster, a 48-page hardcover book (with a foreword by Ralph Tee, liner notes by Tony Cummings and lots of rare photos) and a numbered certificate of authenticity. In addition to all the ultra-funky and seductively silky album cuts here, you’ll hear the hits "Me and Mrs. Jones," "Am I Black Enough for You?" Billy Paul, "Back Stabbers," "992 Arguments" O’Jays, "I Miss You," "If You Don’t Know Me by Now," "Yesterday I Had the Blues" Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, "I’ll Always Love My Mama," "I Wanna Know Your Name" Intruders and more plus MSFB’s exquisite instrumental arrangements of "Family Affair," "Freddie’s Dead" and more! United Souls.