Arctic Records - Online Documentary Video - Art Of Life

Thanks to Dave Withers for passing on the info on this great online documentary all about...

Arctic Records 

Friday Arts is a 30-minute arts, culture and entertainment magazine that features three distinct stories about the arts and the artists in our area. Friday Arts casts a light on some of Philadelphia's best-kept secrets in the arts.

ART OF LIFE — PRODUCED BY KAREN SMYLES

Founded by WDAS program director/deejay Jimmy Bishop in conjunction with Jamie/Guyden Records in 1964, Arctic Records was one of Philadelphia’s most important early soul labels, greatly influencing the subsequent rise of Philly soul.

Barbara Mason’s classic “Yes, I’m Ready” was the label’s biggest seller in 1965; she quickly became Arctic’s flagship artist, making a slew of splendid follow-ups as well. Kenny Gamble gained invaluable experience at Arctic, not just as a songwriter and producer but as a smooth-voiced singer. Arctic hosted the Volcanos and the Ambassadors, two of the City of Brotherly Love’s finest male vocal groups, and the sexy, sultry Honey & the Bees. Daryl Hall got his start at Arctic as lead tenor with blue-eyed soulsters the Temptones; Della Humphrey’s debut Arctic single hit when she was barely in her teens. Add vocalists Kenny Hamber, Winfield Parker, and Herb Johnson; inspired one-offs by Cindy Gibson, Dee Dee Barnes, and Billy Floyd, and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in their pre-Teddy days, and what you end up with is an incredibly consistent Philly soul label, from its inaugural girl group issue by the Tiffanys to the stirring Royal Five 45 that closed out Arctic’s release schedule.

hit to play -  wait out for the 5 second pause

Friday Arts sits down with Frank Lipsius, President of Jamie Record Company, and son of Arctic founder, for the story behind it all. We also meet and hear the smooth sounds of a few original Arctic recording artists as they come together in the studio to work on “Soul Singer”, new songs produced by legendary record producer, Tom Moulton. And last but not least, Philadelphia’s own rock & soul music historian, Jerry Blavat takes us back in time and ties it all together.

The video and full article can be viewed via http://whyy.org/cms/fridayarts/arctic-records/