0 Leon Huff is King of Philly Soul Keyboard
- Audio
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 10/01/2009
Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff are usually identified as the signature writers, arrangers, and producers for their Philadelphia International Records empire.
The hot piano riffs behind many of those Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, Intruders, and O'Jays recordings come courtesy of keyboard king Leon Huff.
When you are pumping out the hits for a stable of stars, you have little time remaining for your own solo projects.
Incredibly, Leon Huff released only one solo album in 1980: Here To Create Music.
This record was re-released in 2008 on CD by Sony BMG, Legacy, and Philadelphia International Records.
Listen to 30 seconds of Leon Huff strutting his stuff on "I Ain't Jivin', I'm Jammin'," an excellent example of his sophisticated Philly musical fusion pulling together orchestration, funk, and sensational soul.