Love Is the Message is the second album by Philadelphia International Records’ house band MFSB, released in 1973. The album includes the number one pop, R&B, and adult contemporary hit and winner of the 1974 Grammy for Best R&B Instrumental Performance, "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)". The song was the theme song for the television show Soul Train. In 2022, Rolling Stone ranked "Love Is the Message" number 53 in their list of the "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time".
Late 1970s resurgence
In the transition period between disco and the up-and-coming hip hop movement, the title track became a staple at house and block party events in the summers of 1978 and 1979. That track later became the basis for the last Salsoul Orchestra single "Ooh, I Love It (Love Break)", released in 1983.
Track listing
Personnel MFSB Bobby Eli, Norman Harris, Reggie Lucas, Roland Chambers, T.J. Tindall - guitar Anthony Jackson, Ron Baker - bass Leon Huff, Lenny Pakula, Eddie Green, Harold "Ivory" Williams - keyboards Earl Young, Karl Chambers, Norman Farrington - drums Larry Washington - percussion Vincent Montana, Jr. - vibraphone Zach Zachery, Tony Williams - saxophone Don Renaldo and his Strings and Horns The Three Degrees - vocals (5)
Charts Chart (1974)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)55Canada Top Albums (RPM)6US Billboard Top LPs4US Top Soul LPs (Billboard)1US Top Jazz LPs (Billboard)4
Year-end charts Chart (1974) Position Canada (RPM) 52
Singles Year Single Peak chart positions US USR&B USA/C1974 "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" 1 1 1 "Love Is the Message" 85 42 —
Certifications
See also List of number-one R&B albums of 1974 (U.S.)
References
Further reading
External links